New-York tribune., 1920-09-19
Accept League
AS Arbiter i'm
A1and Dispute
Finland and Sweden Agree
10 Intervention for Settle
element of Controversy as
TO Possession of Islamds
Commission to Investigate
Council Adopts Jurists' Re-
port ON Procedure Under
Two Articles of Covenant

PARIS, Sept. 1s tBy The Associated
Press). - Finland and Sweden have
agreed 80 accept the Intervention Of
the League Of Nations for the settle
ment Of the dispute between them as
to the possession OF the Aland islands
at the mouth of the Gulf Of Bothnia
between the two countries. A commits
sion will be appointed by the executive
council of the league to investigate
the question and reach an early deci-
sion.
The acceptance Of the council as
arbitrator Is regarded by the members
Of the council as long step toward to-
ward recognition OF the league by ma
tions of the world as q medium for the
prevention Of future wars.
The decision Of Finland and Sweden
to accept the intervention Of the league
was taken at to-day's meeting Of the
council, which was attended by HAL
mar Branting, Swedish Premier, and
M. Enckell. Finnish Foreign Minister.
The council adopted the report Of
the committee Of international jurists
which had been appointed to deter
mine if the league had Jurisdiction
in the case. The committee deter
mined that under Articles III and XII
Of the league covenant il had the right
to act.
Basis of Leagues Action
fArtice II deals with the functions
Of the Assembly Of the League Of
Nations and provides that it may
deal at its meetings with any matter
league or affecting the peace of the
world" Article XI is that in which
it is declared that it is "the friendly
right of each member Of the league
to bring to the attention Of the coun-
Gil any circumstance whatever AZ
fecting international relations which
threatens to disturb international
peace or the good understanding be-
tween nations upon which peace de-
pends," and also that any war or
threat of war is matter Of concern
shall take any action that may be
deemed wise and effectual to safe
guard the peace of nations."]
The action of the two nations places
in the hands Of the league an interna-
tional dispute which at one time was
thought might lead to war. Members
Of the council do not disguise their
satisfaction over the decision, which is
pointed to as one of the strongest ex-
pressions of support and confidence the
league has yet received.
Commission to Frame Report
A commission of three hae been Sc
lected to furnish the league in the
shortest possible time q report which
will enable it to frame either a final
or provisional settlement.
In q resolution which was adopted
unanimously the council expressed the
hope "that the forthcoming settlement
of the question Of the Aiand Islands
will be the basis of the maintenance Of
peace in that part of the world"
Premier Branting and Foreign Min
lister Enckcll expressed their approval
of the course of the council, and said
they felt confident that q solution ac-
ceptable to both Finland and Sweden
would soon be reached by that body.
Sweden's claims to ownership Of the
Aland Islands date back more than
century, They belonged to her up
to 1800 when they were taken by
Russia and attached to the Province
of Finland. Separated from Russia as
consequence of the war and the Rus
SIGN Revolution, Finland now claims
she is entitled to the continued own
ership Of the group. Sweden is set
ting up her previous ownership, TO-
gether with the large preponderance
OF Swedish population of the islands,
as reasons why they should now re-
vert to her.
Sweden Dispatched Troops
In the spring Of 1918, when warfare
between the White Guards and Boil
shevik forces broke out in Finland
and it was reported the Germans
planned to make use Of the islands in
connection with their operations in
Finland, Sweden sent troops to occupy
the islands.
The Aland Archipelago comprises
about eighty inhabited islands, with q
population Of about $4,000, large pro
portion of which are Swedes. The
largest Of the group is Aland Island
which contains nearly one-half the
population.
The dispute over the ownership OF
the islands has caused considerable
bitterness between the Firms and
Swedes, and at one time an open break