South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-10-29

tions" under which some Of the col
onies had already been disposed Of
Divide SpoiIs. Principle Afterward.
Mr. Lloyd George said that he was
in favor of the principle Of the man
datory. but he was also in favor of
having the British colonies get what
they wanted. They were all in favor
of dividing up the colonies first and
adopting the principle afterward. II
was clear enough, throughout the
discussion. that no one of the three
except Mr.. Wilson. had any real
faith in the League Of Nations NJ.
CIemenceau treated both the manda-
tory system and the League Of Ma
tions with finely turned irony which
mirrored his entire opposition more
clearly than any direct attack could
have done. Mr.. Wilson was placed
in the position of having TO defend
new principle the working of
which in minute detail no one could
prophesy.
1t was plain at the outset that by
these tactics they thought they could
ride rough-shod over Mr.. Wilson. 1t
was the first test of his quality. He
had talked his principles; would he
now be able. with such forces
against him, 10 secure their applica-
ton?
When il was seen that the presi-
dent would not give in. there began
10 appear at once-the very next
day-bitter comments upon him and
his Impractical ideals" in certain
French newspapers. Although the
proceedings behind the muffied
doors at the Quai d'Orsay were sup
posed TO be absolutely seCret-so
| that American correspondents could
get next to nothing at all concern
/ ing what was going on-thc French
papers were evidently fully inform
ed. Certain British papers also pub
lished quite completely an account
Of the controversy between Mr.. VIII
son and Mr.. Hughes OF Australia
which lost nothing in emphasis and
| dramatic importance, nor. il may be
said. in the essential truth Of the
facts stated. because the proceed
Insa had been secret.
7
Mr.. Wilson had to protest 70 the
conference against these outside at
| lacks and he did so diplomatically
| but positively by declaring that If
they continued he would publish eX-
actly what happened. At once the
attacks in the French press ceased
i for tie French press is largely con
/ trOlled by government Influences
/ but from that time onward. In q
/ certain number of the papers. tffere
was an underlying, subtle spirit OF
criticism Of the president. This con
slant. witty opposition. so evasivt
as not TO be easily met-the kind OF
j criticism OF innuendo Of which the
French are past masters-read every
dag 10y all those connected with the
i peace conference. had an undOubteC
: fuence i'm making the president
task more difficult. There were ever
those in the American commission
u who suggested the removal Of the
\ conference 10 some neutral capita
! like Geneva 70 escape this atmos
, phere.
, But the president stuck obstinate
y 10 his position that the private in
b terests OF the nations were not alone
TO be served. but that the conference
! must consider first the interest O
, the people OF the colonies i'm question
/ and second, the desire Of the com
!, mon people of the world He argue 90
, that annexation was contrary 10 tn
, principles accepted by the nation
at the armistiCe. and that the public
81 OF the world would at once turf
T against the conference and IL woul,
q lose all its influence if its very frs
s action was 70 divide up the spoils O
b. war. He Insisted upon the apphca
toni OF the principle laid down D.
the fifth or the fourteen points O
{ peace. which all the nations ha
81 adopted-the one relating 20 col
4 onial claimS-which says that "th
$ interests of the populations concern
r ed must have equal weight with tn
- equitable claims of the government
e. whose title is Co be- determined.
And there ne stood and would no