New-York tribune., 1919-02-03
French See Big
Financial Burden
In Colony Plan
''Matin'' Doubts League of
Nations VIII Be Able to
Submerge Politics in Man
datory Rule of Peoples
Ne,o York Tribune
SooctGf Cohle cerpirc


PARIS, Feb. 2.-French opinion gen.
orally can scarcely be said to be salts
fed with the settlements so far arrived
at by the peace conference in renounc-
ing the German colonies. To-day's
Paris newspapers emphasize the signlti-
canoe of the use of the word pro
visional" in yesterdays communlque
with regard to the future of those colo
nies and the occupied territories in
Asia and appear to regard 1t most
probable that even this provisional set
tlement will likely be substantially
modified before the matter is finally
disposed of.
At the same time it is generally rec
ognized this provisional settlement is
undoubtedly success for President
Wilson and hopeful for the world in
general.
Wilson Idea Daring
"The capital fact" says the "Matin,"
"is that the principle has been admit
ted, which is important for the society
of nations itself and constitutes valid
precedent. This idea of President Will
son is new and daring. 1t really sig
nifies the birth of new world. 1t is
the first time that civilized humanity,
set up not only as moral but as
civic personality, has undertaken a
practical piece of work. There is some
thing in this for us to ponder over,
perhaps to astonish us. But it must
not be forgotten that President Wilson
declared: My object is to prevent
fresh wars. | have explained my sys-
TEN to you. If you have better one
will listen to you And the confer
ence yesterday approved his system"
The /"Matin" at the same time doubts
whether a league OF nations would be
able to sustain the financial and politi-
cal burdens which would be imposed
upon it by yesterdays decision. The
same journal voices the general un-
easiness in France that a similar sys-
TEN may be applied to the question
of reparations ard guarantees to be
eXacted from the enemy.
Precedents Are Cited
Saint Brice, in the Journal" recalls
Austria occupied Bosnia and Herze-
govina, subsequent annexation of which
by her Immediately preceded the great
war. while England also went into
Egypt in similar circumstances.
"These two experiences" writes st
Brice, awaken memories which are not
altogether tranquilizing or appeasing.'
"Pertinax," in the echo de Paris,
characterizes yesterda<'s decision as a
veritable setting UP of international
government and as evidence OF the
capitulation of Premier Lloyd George to
President Wilson.
ed by the Dominion ministers, first
combatted Wilson's proposition. On
Tuesday he hinted at compromise, but
Wilson remained immovablc. whereupon
the British Premier essentially modi-
! fed his suggestion of compromise in
an acceptance pure and simple of Will
sons proposal"
Decision Provisional
"Pertinax," however, regards the de-
cision as necessarily provisional.
"The parliaments at London and
Paris and the Congress at WASHINGTON
will have the last word in the matter,
and ratifications, which are generally
purely matter of form, will in this
case certainly be of laborious char
acter. Moreover, the Dominion govern
ments, which refused to accept the com
promise proposed by Lloyd George, have
decided to take the matter up again
when the moment of final settlement
comes"
"Pertinax," who may be taken as rep
resenting large body of solid CON
servative French opinion, describes the
whole project as hazardous.
Historic experience" he writes,
teaches that national passions rebel
against all exterior control of too rigid
character and that no international
government can compel the strong to
obedience. People talk about disarma-
ment, but there is one arm that cannot
be suppressed, especially in these days
of improvised armies, and that is the
numerical strength of a nation"