The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1919-02-01
SECRET TREATIES
BEFORE COUNCIL
". S. May Be Asked to Rule Tur-
key Under League
Plan.
-----------------
WILSON col0NY PLAN URGED
Enjoys Show Some Opposition 10
President's views--May Appoint
"Mandatories" for Former
Y German Possessions.

Paris, Jan. 30.--In connection with
the territorial questions before it, the
peace conference Is confronted with
no less than three secret treaties, says
the Paris edition of the London Duly
Mail, between Great Britain, France
and italy disposing of Adriatic coast,
between Great Britain and Japan. Civ
ing German islands in the Pacific to
Japan and between Great Britain and
the king Of the Hediaz.
Wilson to Urge His Plan.
The future Of the colonies taken
from Germany has assumed a place
as one Of the most interesting Of the
immediate bases Of the many-sided
problems under consideration by the
supreme council of the peace confer
ence. Hearings are being given BY
the supreme council to members of the
conference and to colonial experts
upon the disposition of the colonies.
The council is at the same time pro.
ceeding with the consideration Of q
general policy which shall be adopted
by the five great powers in this matter.
4 At present 1t appears that these pow
ers, through the supreme council, in
tend to dispose Of the subject. conf
dent of the approval of its decisions
by the conference itself. The hear
ings have already progressed to the
stage where the existence Of views
greatly at variance with those set forth
in President Wilson's Ia points have
been disclosed.
This development has determined
the q meriean deleeafes % remind tl1e
ii hi pow lis 81 tfisit fsiEt and 70 81 &c
the adoption Of the American plan at
the very outset in order to keep the
rival claimants within the bounds of
fairness.
Provides international Control.
This plan, which was discussed Mon
day and is receiving immediate further
consideration, looks to international
control of the colonies, backward ma
tionalities and tribes by individual
powers or by agents to be known as
"mandatories' of the league of ma
tons. The agents are to derive all
their powers from the league and to
act entirely on the lines of policy die
tated by that body.
The distribution Of these guardian
ships is to be made by the league of
nations; so it again happens. as in the
case of many of The projects of reform
preached ut the conference, that its
successful application is wholly de
pendent upon the consummation4 of the
league.
One argument against the leagues
control of the colonies advanced by the
British colonial officials was that the
manufactures" might feel themselves
saddled with enormous financial re-
sponsibilties in an effort to develop
their wards, and yet be subject to
criticism in the event that they failed
to bring them forward.
Wilson Explains Plan.
President Wilson himself felt called
upon to answer this argument by the
statement that the American plan con-
templated that the mandatory power
would be liable only for administrative
expenses; other expenditures would be
made only when authorized by the
finance itself out of its own resources.
In the case of America, 1t has been
suggested that owing to it's large in
fiuence in Turkey through the numer-
GUS graduates of Robert college, and
because of the conviction among the
Turks of the disinterestedness of
America, if it is called upon to assume
such charge, it might naturally first
take upon itself the guardianship not
only of Turkey in Europe, but also a
considerable portion of Tm sey's for.
mer provinces, including Armenia.