Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-02-06
IThe Now YOfk WOrIdD
Especial Gable DlspatchD

iishtng Co.
CThe New York World.)
Especial Gable D.spntch)
Paris, Feb. 5,-The future of the
former German colonies was the sub
ject of extended discussion at two ses-
sions of the peace conference Satur-
day and of other meetings since 1t is
understood that an agreement vir-
tually has been reached to appoint
the nations concerned the mandatory
power in each case, under the league
of nations.
This does not involve in any degree
a diminution of the importance of the
diplomatic victory already achieved
by President Wilson for the principle
of mo annexations," which is un-
touched and for which he still stands.
Dominions Are Not Satisfied.
Australia, South Africa and New
Zealand are dissatisfied with the de-
cision, although their right in each
case to act as the mandatory power
Is a point gained They are now hop
ing to induce the bureau or supreme
council to give them additional ad-
vantage, on the ground of their con-
tinguity to the colonies concerned.
They argue that they have already
administered the colonies successfully,
and that they have a direct interest
in them. both nationally and econom-
ically.
1t seems probable that Australia
will appeal to the bureau to give the
commonwealth the right to apply its
own administration to New Guinea,
urging that this right would safe
guard the commonwealth from the
danger of wholesale immigration of
cheap Asatc labor. If Australia shall
succeed in this demand, that achieve
ment would go far toward reconciling
her to the decision which, it may be
said, surprised the Australian repre-
sentatives, for they had counted on
gaining their claim for annexation.
General Botha has taken a stand
equally determined for South Africa.
in respect to which the right of the
mandatory to impose its own laws is
strenuously advocated.
Wilson Objects to Publication.
There was something of a stir in
the executive session this morning
when the president took exception to
the account of yesterdays proceed
ings concerning this subject as print
ed in the Paris edition of the London
Daily Mail, on the ground that the
publication implied breach of con-
fidence on the part of some delegate.
The matter was satisfactorily ex-
planned presumably by citing the fact
that the information was quite gem
eral among the newspaper men of all
the countries, and that the offense of
the Daily Mail was in having painted
the conference situation in particu-
larry gloomy colors. The account had
said that the disappointment of AUS
tralia was so serious that 1t threat
ened the existence of the British em-
pire. That statement implied flight
OF imagination for which no delegate
could be held responsible.
The two points settled in regard to
the colonies We're that they are not to
be annexed by any power. and that
the power in interest N each case is
to be a mandatory under the league
of nations. The league will be the
supreme authority, controlling the
mandatory, and thus the control will
be indirectly international
China Is Likely to Win.
1t seems probable that China will
win her contention for the return of
kiachow through the peace confer
ence, not through Japan as an inter-
mediary. Japan has been insistent
upon the exercise of this function.
The point is one of considerable mo-
ment to China. for a decision in her
favor will confirm her inherent right
to regain the colony without con-
ditions expressed or implied and
without obligation to any authority
except the peace conference.
There is reliable authority for say
ing that throughout the discussion
Japan has joined in the Difference
shown by all the powers 10 the au-
thority of the bureau. Her attitude
furnishes no justification whatever for
the publication here, this morning of
report that the Japanese might
defy the conference unless disposition
were made to her liking of the islands
seized By her north of the equator.
The success with which the con-
ference is handling the subject of the
colonies, with all its complexities has
impressed all concerned, and the con-
ference has commanded respect for
the strength of its decisions and Its
fidelity to principle, This demon
stration will be helpful in the dispo-
stion of other delicate problems that
are ahead. notably the problem Of
reparations. which will require the
full exercise of all its powers.