Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-12-02
new QUESTION
PUZZLES LEAGUE
Shall Countries Be Allowed to
Control and Dispose at Will of
Their National Resources?
Query Starts a Conflict

Geneva, Nov. 2s. tBy the Associated
Press.)-The question whether countries
shall be allowed to control and dispose
at will Of their natural resources is the
object Of a sharp conflict In a committee
of the Assembly. The contest arose over
a. resolution by Gustave Ador. Switzcr-
land. setting up a permanent economic
and financial commission, one OF the du-
ties o. which would be to examine mea-
sures for preventing monopoles in raw
materials and the means OF controlling
their distribution.
The reso ution Is based Gil Article % of
the covenant, which assures all States
equitable treatment 1t is supported
chiefly by italy. Switzerland and other
countries not rich in raw materials.
One of the strongest opponents OF the
resolution Is Sir George T.. Foster. Can
ada, who has taken the Same attitude MS
y. w. Rowell. also OF Canada. who serv-
cd notice on the Assembly In an impress
sive speech Recently chat any attempt to
exercise suoh control would be regarded
as interference In internal affairs. to
which Carada would never submit
Mr.. Rowcl at the same time said that
the entry OF The United States could
not be hopec for If any such Interior
ence werc attempted.
The question of mandates is another
difficult subject coming up this week.
The council has on the agenda for to-
morrow the nom'rotion OF a permanent
mandate commission, and another CON-
mttee at the Same time will tahe up
the general question In the form OF
terms and the control OF mandates. This
committee, which IL known as number
ELK, has recommended that the United
States be invited to Cooperate unomcially
In the study Of the question Of disarma-
nent.
Still another important matter on the
program OF the council for tomorrow Is
! the election of successor to Sir Regi-
, Maid Tower as high commissioner ut Dan
zig. The council may also finally decide
what reply shall be made to the Ger
man protest against approval OF the re-
suits of the Eupen-M almedy plebiscite.
Germany contends that the Belgian
troops of occupation exerted pressure on
the population.
With respect to mandates. most Of the
delegates are very reserved regarding
the bearing the position of the United
States would have in the matter of tho
exploitation of tho Mcsopotamian oil
fields. upon the settlement of the man.
date question by the assembly.
Ono of the non-European delegates
points out. however, that the Mesopo.
tamian mandate Is in class A. which
carries with 1t only advisory powers on
the part OF the mandatory. and that
consequently 1t is for Great Britain 70
advise. not dictate, what shall be the
economic policy in Mesopotamia. Others
recall that the whole theory Of mandates
rests on the principle Of equality and
Justice and that II was not intended tina,
territories involved should be exploited
FOR the profit Of the mandator states.
IF it is true that the nations seek.
ing mandates are looking for the utmost
good for the people placed under their
guidance" said another delegate, Then
any profits from the exploitation oil
economic resources under the mandates
will naturally go to the peoples them
selves"