New-York tribune., 1919-01-30
Z. S. I Urged 10
Mother Some
L reed Lands
Allied Leaders Suggest
America Administer Part
of Captured Hun Colonies
" iIson Opposes the Plan
Suggests Norway BE Made
Virtual Protector and
Mentor for Territories

4fACiEtOI 1Of CfIltOIIfS
(Rcpriated from la'c edition Of yesterda i {.
TribuaoJ
Ner Yor's Tribune
>pcctot CcJ(e Serricc
(oopJ rigl.t 1912. New York Tribune lrcD
PARIS, Jan. 28.-That the Americans
haNc embarked ON a road from which
there IS no returning and that it is
their moral obligation to assume their
share of responsibility in administer
ing parts Of Africa. Syria and Paes-
tine is the opinion of leading states
men OF both Great Britain and France
now a. the peace conference.
Their attitude was made known to-
day following two sessions OF the Su
preme Council OF the peace conference.
at which The disposition of the German
colonies was discussed in detail.
Tie attitude o. the American peace
commissioners is not as yet we'll de-
fined and there is evidently hesitation
in committing America to policy of
further participation in the affairs of
the Eastern Hemisphere beyond that
oi laying down the basis OF the league
OF nations
President Wilson made the sugges-
ton that such colonies as New Guinea.
samoa and Southwest Africa be put
unoer Il mandatory power acting for
the league OF nations. lie suggested
Norway as one power to act in this
capacity. In answer to the statement
that Norway has never ,tau colonial
experience, the President is said to
have said that she had never had the
opportunity. Denmark and Holland
nave alN been mentioned. but Holland
alfeady has sufficient responsibility in
the East
The British Viewpoint
A leading colonial British minister.
IN an interview to-day. explains what
may be the British viewpoint. in his
OPINION America might undertake to
handle 7ogoland and the Kamerun. If
the British should take over a million
square miles Of territory it is his be-
!lel that 1t would arouse bitterness
among pro -Gormans, such as possibly
the irish. and iniure whatever GOOD
feeling prevails.
Great Britain would be accused Of
hypocrisy and desire for territorial
aggrandizement. Belgium is uDurc-
pared financially TO embayk on anv
ircsh colonlal campaign. The Congo
IS i, all that she is able to handle and
rance is IN similar position
AS regards Oceania, Australia and
New Zealand, it is the view that .Tapan
deserves we'll of the Allies and should
have tangible recognition north Of the
equator. New Zealand wants to hold
Samoa and Australia desires to retain
haiser Wilhelm Land and Incorporate
with Fapua. leaving the rest TO the
South Africa desires possession of
lofmer German colonial territory adj
cent 20 her own. Naturalization Of
hamerun. Togoland and German East
Africa, which has been advanced in
some quarters. is not favored by the
European powers
Old Policy Is Opposed
Such men as Lionel Curtis, Lord
MINER. Colonel Amory. Philip Kerr.
Lord Eustace Percy and Sir Mark
sykes, most of whom arc in Paris now.
are strongly opposed to Great Britain
following the traditional imperial pol
ICY or lAcurring further colonial re-
sronsibiltics.
~ 'N : 'u'N ~ America Tor assistance.
On the other extreme there is Premier
Hughes, who believes in strengthening
the independent position Of the British
Empire The decision will probably
fall between the two British policies.
There is clear indication that there
: growing desire on the part OF the
BRITISH for fuller participation Of
America IN tho affairs Of the Eastern
J !"mis Dhcrc
In discussing the situation in tho
\ car East with The Tribune CORE
spondent to-day an American attached
to the peace commission said:
believe American sportsmanshin
VIII not be content to leave this task
People Want United states Aid
"Thc people of Syrir. Armenia. rcr-
s'a and Arabia arc coNtidont that she
Will come to their assistance 1t is
America. IT. win not take enough
troops to be worth mentioning all
that viii be needed arc competent ad-
nnistrativc LEADERS,
"Ihc European powers. Y ,th the cX-
ccption OF Great Britain, either can't
assume additional burdens or arc not
trusted by the native peoples. 1t is
Americas opportunity TO follow her
manifest dcstinr. She can't go home
from the pcAcc conference. pull up her
fences and say she is through
"Shc has taken leading part in
laying the basis for the league of ma
tions and she must see it through,
even though It involves her acting as
= mandatory power for the league Of
nations in East Afrca..'