New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-02-02
America L reed
From ASSISTING
Colonial Rule
Compromise Agreed On in
Paris Causes Discomfort
as Well as Satisfaction
BY Arthur S. Draper
Neso YorL; Tribune
Eur0pecu Ba1-e0t

'Vopyflsht 1919, New York Tribune Incl
PAR1S, Feb. 1.-The decision OF the
council of ten regarding the DISPOSE
ton OF the German and Turkish colo
nies is held to be far from satisfactory
IN some quarters and equally PLEASING.
IN others. 1t is a compromise decision.
and furnishes a clew to the disposition
OF many great questions which the
peace conference will have to handle.
The big five compromised on the Rus
sian question, the council of ten COM
promised when it came to the settle
ment Of the colonial problem. 1t is
probable that there will be a compro-
mise on the league of nations.
President Wilson won some points.
Premier Lloyd George scored heavily.
while Premier Clemenceau has more
than broken even. On the other hand
Australia, New Zealand, South Africa
and Japan can hardly claim draw.
Mr.. Wilson found the international
situation unpalatable and substituted
the mandate as remedy for the
worlds colonial troubles. An agree
ment was reached only after the bitter
est kind of struggle.
Mr.. Hughes, the Australian Premier.
who travelled up and down the British
Isles advocating colonial preference. a
high protectionist policy, the economic
boycott and the German colonies for
their conquerors, fought bitterly and
has not quit yet. The Japanese. who
the value of the strategic
retreat better than most, capitulated
gracefully before the overwhelming
odds.
DominiOns Dislike String
All through last year the British
asked, "What is to become of the Ger
man colonies 2" and invariably an
swered their own question with, "Of
course, the dominions have first claim
and we cannot interfere"
1t is true that the dominions get the
colonies-but not outright There is
string to them-weak it may be even
for the liberal American variety. which
gives state control in perpetuity sub
ject only to the trusteeship Of. the
league of nations. But that is far from
satisfactory to the people who ex-
pected to hold them outright
Then there is France. Togoland and
the Kameruns go to France under
mandate which is understood to pro-
vide for open ports, equal economic
rights and equal opportunities. Hence
she management of these new posses
slons will contrast sharply with French
control in her own colonies.
French claim to the occupation of
Syria, which had no support from the
British, has been entirely abandoned,
while it is planned to place Palestine
under the control of the league OF ma
5ions, with Great Britain as its agent
America Remains Free
Emphasis must be placed upon the
fact that America remains free. She
has no mandate.
There will be no annexations. There
Will be no indemnities Germany will
not recover her colonies, but world inn
perialism has been dropped from the
vocabulary of the diplomats.
England's desire, England's need for
American cooperation, furnished the
solution Of one of the greatest prob
lens before the peace conference.
italy and Japan have been placed at
but they have had to
bow to the inevitable
There arises the question of self
Long ago Lloyd
George suggested in one of his speech
rs that the population OF German East
Africa be called upon to express their
preference as to the management of
the country. That suggestion created
then only amusement, but the day may
come when the natives of some of these
colonies now being distributed among
the Allies will have attained sufi-
GENTLY high standard of development
to choose their own government and
their own affairs.
Under the mandatory arrangement
the natives have the right to appeal
to the league Of nations Meanwhile
their rights-and that is one difference
between mandate and Imperialism
will be safeguarded and secured. Fun
E0Dijuuad a,a ,le;sf noce