Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1920-11-28
FiinnishRow
RcaI" Test
of League
Handling of Aland Islands
Dispute Being Watched With
Interest by Both Sides
In Washington.
America Is Represented
By ARTHUR SEARS HENNING.
Chicago Tribtfhe Omaha Bee Leased Wire.

Chicago Tribune Omaha Bee Leased Wire.
Washington, Nov. 27,-Becatse OF
the important bearing it will have
upon the league of nations contro-
versy, the dispute between Finland
and Sweden over the Aland islands
will probably, figure largely in
the debate in the senate when the
question. of American policy is
brought up by the new administra-
ton.
The Aland islands case one of the
five now before the council OF the
league, is regarded as the most i'm
portant. 1t will not only serve in
large measure as test of the ability
of the league to settle international
disputes, but will reveal the methods
| by which it is to go about this task
and the principles upon which it pur-
poses basing its action.
| The members of the irreconcilable
group in the senate are on the alert
to discover in this case, conflrma-
ton of the objections which they
have made against the league, as it
involves more than any other of the
FIVE now pending, most of the points
of which have been brought up in
the senate debate. Reports from Ge-
neva indicate that the proponents OF
the league hope to demonstrate by
the settlement of the Aland islands
controversy, its capacity as work
ing institution apd the practicabibty
OF the ideas upon which it was
1ndcd.
Opponents Watch Outcome.
On the other hand, if the decision
of the council proves unsatisfactory,
if it leads to the creation OF another
Alsace in the Baltic region, or if
i is based upon political expediency
instead Of international law, it un-
doubted1y will be seized upon by the
opponents of the league in the senate
as an, illustration of the futility of
attempting to keep the worlds peace
by such an institution the league.
American interest in the Aland is
lands controversy is not confined
solely to the effect the proposed
settlement might have on the atti-
tude of the United States toward the
league of nations. At the request
of the council of the league, Judge
Abram |. Elkus was designated by
President Wilson unofhcially to
serve as a member of the commission
which isNnow making an investiga-
ton Of the dispute.
This commission is now at Stock
holm Later it will go to the Aland
islands and to Finland. Upon the
results OF its investigation it will
base its recommendations to the
council of the league for a settle
ment of the dispute. The American
point of view, therefore, will be pre-
sented in the preliminary delibera-
tions even though the United States |
las held aloof from the league.
Presents Complex Case.
The dispute over the Alands pre-
sents a most complex case, similar
in some respects to the Fiume Ques-
ton, which disturbed for so long,
the peace of the Adriatic On the
one side the $4,000 inhabitants OF
the islands who, backed by the Swed-
ish government. ask to be permitted
to decide their political future on
the basis of the principle of self
determination. On the other are the
Firms and $4,000 Swedes of Fin
land rioper, who insist that the
islands belong to Finland. An ar
bitrary settlement, therefore, by the
league OF nations might easily create
a situation which, instead Of preserv-
ing peace in the Baltic, would pro-
duce constant disturbance.
Interest in the case in Washington
centers mainly upon the methods by
which the council Of the league pro-
poses to settle the Aland island case.
The fact that Finland is small and
weak nation compared to Sweden
and will be virtually helpless in the
event of an adverse decision, has
been taken into consideration. If
the council follows the old methods |
of political expediency and disposes
of the case arbitrarily, without re-
gard to the canons OF international
law, its action will up 'oubtedly en-
courage opposition to ne league in
the senate.