South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-01-28
REPORT BRITAIN
FAVORS PLEA
Of ORIENTALS
Disposition of Marshall Group
of Pacific Islands Gets At
tentiOn of Peace Bu-
reau Today.
BY FRED ;. FERGUSON.

BY FRED ;. FERGUSON.
By United Press:
PARIS, Jan. 2S.-Gcrman coloa-
les again formed the principal sub
Ject OF discussion when the peace
bureau" met today
Japan's claims TO the Marshall
group of Pacific islands were under
stood to have received special at
tention. 1t was reported Great
Britain favored japanese retention
Of these islands, which were seized
from Germany In return for this
support. il vas believed that Japan
might back up the claims Of Aus
tralia, New Zealand and South Arr
ca TO German colonies now held hl
them.
Favor Trusteeship.
All the delegates apparently were
agreed that the colonies cannot re-
vert 10 Germany on an ante-beilur
status. but the majority appeared 60
favor their administration by the
I league of nations, under a trustee
ship Of the nations most directly in
/ terested. The American plan had
rot been disclosed, but il was be-
Iieved it would coincide with the
/ league OF nations idea OF ultimate
DIFFERENTIATION. Some delegates
hold the opinion that Prcs't Wilson
would wait urtil all the other repre-
seDtatives had presented their
schemos-as he did in the case or
the league OF nations. and the Russ
ian situation, and then come forward
with a program which would receive
instant approval
Certain delegates are known 20
favor immediate settlement Of sew
ersl Of the more pressing territorial
problems instead OF waiting for
these matters 10 be handled by the
league Of nations. In addition TO the
effect on rehabilitation the dele
gates are Influenced in this view by
the fact that certain industries
await territorial adjustments and
that the situation Of the affected
populations is serious.
VIII Conform TO Principles
Whatever action is taken. how
ever, will conform with the broad
principles of the league Of nations
including determination. ln case ~
any of the contemplated settlemenIs
leave controversies and irritatious
they will be subject To reconsider
ton by the league. Territorial cues
tiOns. which may receive early con-
sideration include adjustment OF the
boundaries Of Poland and the
Czecho-Slovak republic and disp0s
tion of the German colonies. bota
in Africa and the Pacific.
Denials by French government
officials regarding alleged claim to
the Saar valley have taken the form
Of a declaration that no claims have
been presented. There has been na
official enlightenmcnt yet ou
Frances position in the matter bar
il was asserted in some quarters
today that the French proposition.
as II will be presented 10 the peace
delegates. will provide for control of
the Saar valley for the period the
Lens coal district remains useless
because Of German vandalism. The
great industrial district or which
Lille is the center IS dependent
upon Lens coal fields and 81 win
be impossible 70 resume work on
normal scale until the mines are RE-
opened. This. according 70 experts
may be several wears hence
Another French Claim.
The French it is understood. also
plan 10 have the benefit Of GER
tain agricultural lands within the
present German border pendins
restoration OF the Somme valley
which was rendered barren hv the
Germans All who have seen the
Lens district and the Somme VALLEY
sympathize instantly with such
proposal vet there is a marked hes
itancv against placing any foreign
population under the rule Of arr
other. as would be the case. since
the Saar valley is entirely German.
Another question which will have
an important bearing on restoriug
actual peace conditions. Is thar of
international banking Establish
ment OF credits has become one -
the biggest problems before the
delegates. as distribution of food
supplies and other relief work is
based on it, solution. The siEnif
canoe Of this work was revealed hV
the bureaus action Yesterday in
constituting new committees Tor
economic and financial questions