Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-01-28
Idea Is Called Noble, But Diff
ficuIt of Putting Into
Practice.
PRESlDET TO MEET WITH
AMERICAN LABOR MEN
Delegation Decides to Keep the
Workers Interests to
the Fore.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press
PARIS, January 2S.-President Viii
son is credited by the French press
with having brought forward during
yesterdays discussion of the subject
of the German colonies the plan under
which they would be placed, 80 TO
speak, under the guardianship of the
league of nations, which would appoint
one of its members to administer them
3 The Matin characterizes the idea as
generous and noble, but apprehends
some likelihood of difficulty in put
ting it into practice. the newspaper
quoting Premier Lloyd George as de-
claring that colonies usually cost
more than they bring in
PARIS, January 2S.-When the su-
pIeme council of the peace conference
assembled at II o'clock today there
were present. in addition to the fiii
membership OF the body. Premier
Hughes, of Australia one of the Chi
nese representatives, and several
technical advisers on colonial mat
ters.
Two Sessions Today.
The council had on its program for
today two sessions. of which this was
the first. Before il met, what had
threatened to be a conflict over the
representation of some Of the smaller
powers on some of the important
committees had been entirely cleared
H. -
spokesmen of the sma.. nations them
velves, and the peace negotiations in
general are continuing TO move for-
ward with degree of progress which
the members of the council regard as
indicating definite agreements At q
reasonably early, stage.
Attention for the moment Is CEN
tered chfefiy on the plan pveas1stsd ~
President Wilson for. the intefp9tioA-
alization of the Germzn colonial pos
sessions. 81.
This. indeed. now is virtually mo-
nopoiiziug the attention. Of the couh-
ell. which has summoned representa-
tixes of New Zealand. Australia and
China into the conference hearings
which consumed most of yesterday
and which were resumed today.
As to Pacific Islands.
Premier Hughes. representing Aus
tralia, claims German New Guinea for
the Australian commonwealth. while
New Zealand claims Samoa. Japan.
desires the Marshall and Caroline
groups of islands. A reported secret
treaty between England and Japan.
giving Japan the islands north of the
equator and the British the colonies
south of the equator. stands in tn.
way of the Observation-Disclosures plan:
but it is generally believed that all
secret treaties will give way before
the league of nations.
The impression seems to be that the
disposition of the German colonies
will be finally arranged by the FIVE
great POWERS. withouS reference to
the peace conference. at n plenary
session or to the various commissions.
The Pacific island phase of the
colonial claims now before the coun-
ell is particularly interesting to tho
American representatives because of
the American interests in the Pacific,
bly, through American possession
of Hawaii and the Philippines
There has been no official announce
ment of what Japan proposes the
powers should give her for her part
in the war. but there have been re-
ports here that Japan was willing TO
turn Kiao Chow back to China, but
wished to retain the German rights
TO the development of the Hinterland.
There has been no indication OF how
far she would press her claims to the
Pacific islands,