El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-12-13
Wilson Coup In The League
Upset The Plans Of Britain
Scheme to Have the Empires Put Full Control of Conquered
Territories Defeated After Colby Suddenly Published Note
Showing America Still Demanded Equal Rights for All
President Put Nation IN Position Demand Its Rights

Z D
. datories. The London response 70 oul
{ protests OF the tendency toward Brit
ish monopoly OF oil concessions II
Mesopotamia and Palestine was the
cool suggestion that the mandates
I would be laid before the council OF
treaty; with the plain intimatlon that
the only way we could be counted n
was TO join the council
Brushing Aside the League.
Replying, we find the Wilson gov
. eminent calmly brushing aside the
I league in this fashion; such powers
I as the allied and associated nations
D may enjoy or WELD IN the determine
I ton Of the governmental status Of the
] inundated areas accrued 20 them as
I the direct result OF the war against
J the central powers. The United
States, as particlpatOr in that con-
flict and as a contributor TO its sue
! cessful issue, cannot consider any OF
I the associated powers. the smallest
not less than itself, 1ebarred from the
Z discussion OF any OF its consequences
or from participation fl the rights
and privileges secured under the man
dates provided for in the treaty OF
] peace" The Colby note insisted that
the mandates plans should be shown
10 America before they went 20 the
council
It is wonderfully adroit. II we 90
I into the league we can fight out the
future Of these lands in the council
and mandatory commission II we
stay out, we simply take our stand on
the arrangements made al Paris for
these territories and insist that the
league carry them out
There Is no reason 10 believe that
1ir. Harding win reverse Mr. wilson
on this point; and every reason 10 be-
lieve he VIII follow the trail thus
blaZed. Without undertaking the OBJ
legations OF the league, which caused
so much american feeling. the presi-
dent has paved the way for real eL-
tension OF the Monroe doctrine.
FoaOvrE American Traditions.
His assertions that the conquered
regions shall not be regarded as the
spells OF empire. but must be held
under tutelage only as q matter OF
training them 10 govern themselves
right 10 deal with them on equal
terms, is but reassertion Of the priu-
ciple Of the declaration OF independ-
ence, which freed the United States
from imperial domination. the Monroe
doctrine, which freed the western
hemisphere; and the Hay doctrine. I
which prevented the partition Of
China. This Wilson doctrine. intend [
ed 10 take large parts Of Africa and ]
Asia out Of the imperial preserves, is Z
How effective It may become Is /
shown by the language Of article 4
XXI or the league covenaut-on /
which America takes fits stand as a I
binding agreement. league or no I
league We find Britain and the other I
bound themselves 20 the \
principle that "the well-beinE and de-
velopmeut OF such peoples form a
sacred trust OF civilization" and 70
these details among others:
Certain communities. formerly be-
longing 10 the Turkish empire have
reached a stage OF development where
their existence as Independent nations
can be professionally recognized. sub
Jet 10 the rendering OF administrative
advice and assistance by a mandatory
until such time as they are able 10
stand alone. The wishes OF these rom
must be a principal consid-
7ration in the selection Of a manda-
.ory.h
Touches British Tender Spot.
These provisions leave distinct and
arge clouds on the title OF Britain
ind other nations 20 the territories
hey are undertaking TO absorb. and
he United States has put itself in 20
Iition 10 question these titles when
'ver the circumstances are favorable
as they viii be from time 20 time
The battle. however. Is far from
You- The preliminary skirmish at &C.
ieva went in our favor. and we have
aimed some other points IN the cor
espondence which has been carried
N with London over the fashion IN
which the British are undertaking 70 I
1onOpollze Palestine and Mesopota- I
MIA But by our attitude we are chal-
enging the vital imperial idea-its
.ssertion Of right 70 dominate over
ther peoples and rule through con-
.uest-aud we viii not have an easy
ime in making good.
IN particular we are touching a Pc I Z
uliarly tender spot Of the British en- z
ire In undertaking 20 have a say as ]
o the future Of Palestine and lfeso-
otamia- supposedly rich oil fields
ave furnished the apparent bone Of
outention In the notes between !
ashington and London. but some
hing far more serious than mere eL-
loitation OF natural resources lies be- c
ind the British determination TO hold &
his territory. The empire will be 2
-ell enough satisfied in the end II its /
iches pay the cost OF occupation. In Z
curing more than 100000. 600 into q
lese ventures England has not been
lerely specializing in oil 2
Key TO Defence Of India. r
these Two territories, in fact. form 4
he key to the defence OF India. and as a
UGH are held Mesopotamia. for this n
JASON, is being studded with block n
ouses and other Qualifications. The
lans FOR this absorption were laid in L
ne early days OF the war. When y
rance was calling for all the men. C
uns and munitions that could be pro-
-ded 10 meet the German superiority I
le British diverted forces TO seize
ne head Of the Persian gulf and to
arch on Bagdads and all during the
ar she reused the protests OF the u
rench by the amount Of effort she S
sisted on spending in this far-away &
.giOn. s
I have explained before how they g.
1uEht 20 advance their frontier even
Irther by taking control Of Persia,
y creating so-called independent
buffer" states in the Caucasus. by q
citing control Of the Black sea and W