El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-12-13

{ surface and roundabout the Ilrsl
meeting OF the assembly OF the
b league OF nations at Geneva some ire
7 mendous games Of world politics have
been played In the public view the
harmonies have been preserved so Tar
as possible, but IN the recesses, where
the most skillful OF new and old world
statesmen have grappled, titanic
struggles have oceeded-betWeen
imperialism and democracy, between
big powers and small ones, between
radicalism and conservatism. We
Z shall have TO wait to get at the truth
and then not get il aIl-buC certain
flashes Of diplomatic lightning have
already revealed some very interest
ing facts
one OF the evident things Is that
America, while technically absent,
4 was very much present. When the
] British pressed the matter OF dis
] armament. intended 20 bring pressure
4 on US 70 limit our navy, France and
Z others blocked the way, saying moth
/ ing could be done until We were con-
! suited. When Belgium, Italy and
others brought up the proposal 70 put
f the raw materials OF the world under
{ general control, a measure aimed d.
] rectly at this country. Canada arose
/ 10 warn that we would assent 10 no
such thing. When the matter OF an
] inter-allied force for wilma was in
hand an American military observer
I was suddenly on the spot When
f
E posed voices were raised TO insist that
nothing be done until Mr.. Harding
should make his policy known
America Took Strong Hand.
! What has interested me most, how
ever was the fashion In which Amer
I lea, at one OF the most important and
/ critical moments took q strong hand
in The proceedings and made certain
that the imperial natiOns-particular
" the BritiEh-shouid not gain an un-
eInndaF right m = henrh into their en-
pires the vast territories taken from
Germany and other enemies in the
war This was the biggest practical I
question which came up in Geneva;
and the settlement reached was q {
severe defeat for imperialism and a
victory for world democracy.
The issue arose In this fashion:
At Paris, when the matter OF the [
disposal Of the conquered territories /
was brought up Mr.. wilson insisted I
that they must not be regarded as I
mere spells OF var but as trusts Of I
the world at large. To get round him /
the imperial nations devised the sys- I
TEN of mandatorfes. under which the .
various powers as trustees Of the /
league Mr.. Wilson. however. forced ]
into the covenant a provision that the I
actions OF the mandatory powers
should be supervised by a permanent
commission, 10 be appointed by the
league council
The imperial nations saw TO it that
this commission was given no real
authority 10 do auything-since Il can
only report It's conclusions 20 the
couucII-yet Il was left with a great
moral power, in that II has the right
70 learn just what any mandatory is
doing and TO recommend changes in
government or even grants OF greater
liberty TO peoples thus held
Wilson Acted Suddenly.
At Geneva Britain sought 10 have
the council decree that this commits /
sion should have a majority Of mem
oers rom the mandatory powers The :
cool and cynical Mr.. Balfour must .
have had some quiet laughs with him !
self when he put forward such a pro-
losaL which OF course would enable {
he empires TO get together and run
things 70 suit themselves. Here Is
what happened: ]
!. IN the beginning. although the :
council was evenly divided between l Z
powers having mandatories and those {
Tot having them France swung the s
majority 70 a decision that the per Z
nanent commission should have a l.
OF non-mandatory members
b this action, the Paris statesmen D 2
we're pursuing their policy OF close u
friendship for America, taxing their :
'hauces that their own mandates r
would not suffer. Britain protested l 4
he action and forced reconsideration I "
p the nope OF winning over a ma u
GRITTY Of the council 10 her point OF n
rev. 4
?. While the decision hung In the I
lalance, America suddenly broke a o
ong silence and made known her at d
ltude on this subject by publishing {
ne CODY note 70 Britain. taking issue
With the idea that the conquered ter C
lloEles were spoils OF war and in .
listing that they should be treated as Il
rusts for the benefit OF all nations ] q
j. Next DAY the league council over h
uled the objections Of the British and q
ecided finally that the permanent Y
{ COMMISSION should be controlled by n
he non-mandatory powers. o
FirEt-ClnHs Diplomatic Coup. 4
lt may be added that British news n
apers have shown much concern / "a
yer the fashion in which the Ameri- P.
an note was published and have not o.
esitated TO say that Mr.. Colby VIC 4
-ted the general diplomatic under rr
landing that such documents shall
o. De given out without the assent
the other party concerned. They u
eel his action had a purpose which 81
I'd not fit in with British interests. I ?,
ertalnly appearances support their b.
lea. such things are not done in pl
iplomacy without reason, especially n
y the present administration and r
ave no hesitation in believing AIr. 4
oioy, or rather the sick man in the VI
nlle mousse can be credited with I II
phonetic coup Of the first order. q
The notable thing about the Ameri- N
al action is that the policy thus / W
ken on the future Of the conquered ! j.
nds is based on grounds that put US IN
/ position 70 insist on our views, re
ther outside or inside the league.
here is good reason for thinking the 50
ritish intended at Geneva to arrange IN
alters, so that America must really Or
IN the league or find herself with Il
'thing to say about many important g