The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-01-31

The net result OF the past two days
Of discussion ON the colonial question
in the opinion Of many Americans
has been to clear the atmosphere
generally and to force a clear def
milton of aims on all sides.
In the decisions concerning the dis
posal of the former German colonies,
President Wilson contended in no un-
certain terms that to divide the colo
nies among the entente nations woould
be direct contravention of the "fouf-
teen points," which We're accepted as
basis of peace. Such a division,
he is said to have added, also would
violate the principles of the league
of nations as laid down at the peace
conference last Saturday.
The American attitude, It is de-
clared. is very positive. What the
United States would do in case the
powers insisted upon dividing the
colonies among them has not been
disclosed.
The American attitude, it is held
in some quarters, might be such that
it probably would affect the whole
future of the peace conference. Presi-
dent Wilson, it rs understood, still
holds to his original opinion that it
would be scarcely worth while for
the United States to- participate in
the negotiations unless, a league OF
fiations with th1s1 lhg r|11~
eff1l6r sQ \ l. a u M
lsfis d of ths pils,
pSbui4 coikcil PHssi ~ n Wilson &rk-'
sentQd the America Epofnt' I'm
reservcdIy The general public proBa-
bly, VIII not see full report OF yes
terday's session, which probably will
have historic significance. until after
the treaty of peace is signed. If at all.
Senators Walsh, of Montana, and
Lewis. of Illinois, democrats, ex-
pressed doubt regarding accuracy of
the statements in the dispatches. The
latter declared the reported plan
would violate the fundamental prin-
ciple of lf-determination of people,
as applied to the German colonies,
and said he believed the real agree
ment was merely for their temporary
administration by the league of ma
tions.
Knox Raises Question.
Senator Knox raised the question
in discussing the probable size of the
American army. Senator Lodge said
that apparently the United States
was to take part in the management
of the German colonies and asked if
American troops were to be used.
Certainly. How could we main
tain order otherwise" Senator Knox
replied. "You can't rule those people
by moral suasion."
Reading from dispatches of Ameri-
can correspondents at Paris regard
ing proposed Decentralization of
the German possessions, Senator
Knox said no other conclusion could
be reached but that the peace con-
ference proposes. that part of the
'trusteeship of guardianship" shall
be assumed by the United States.
IF that is true. no army we could
possibly raise and no taxes we could
secure would be sufficient" said Mr..
Knox.
II hope the reports are not true"
said Mr.. Knox. 81 can't believe they
are and that without consulting con
sress or the committees having
charge of these matters or the Amer
ican people. we will be pledged to
any such stupcndous and prepos-
ferrous undertaking"
vardaman Interrupts.
Senator Nardaman interrupted to
ask if it would be possible thar the |
senate would ratify a treaty contain
ing such provisions.
Senator Lodge said he had felt !
from the beginning that the impor-
tant thing for the peace conference
was to make a peace treaty with !
Germany and let other questions go !
over and allow American troops to be |
returned home.