The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1920-11-29
LEAGUE COMMITTEE
IN SHARP CONFLICT

TRIES SHALL DISPOSE OF.
NATURAL RESOURCES is SUB.
JEcT OF DISCUSSIoN-HALT
MoNoPoLIES IN RAW MATE
RlALS-SUPPoRT FROM ITALY
Geneva, Nov. 28.-The question
whether countries shall be allowed to
control and dispose at will of their
natural resources is the subject of
sharp conflict in a committee of the
assembly. The contest arose over
resolution by Gustave Ador of Swift
zerland setting up a permanent eco
nomic and financial commission, one
of the duties of which would be to
examine measures for preventing
monopolies in raw materials and the
means: of controlling, their .distribu-
tion. =
The resolution is based on Article
23 of the covenant which assures all
states equitable treatment. 1t is
supported chiefly by Italy, Switzer-
land and other countries not rich in
raw materials.
One of the strongest opponents of
the resolution is Sir George E. Fos-
ter of Canada, who has taken the
same attitude as N. W. Rowell, also
of Canada, who served notice on the
assembly in an impressive speech re-
Gently that any attempt to exercise
such control would be regarded as
Interference in internal affairs, to
which Canada would never submit.
Mr.. Rowell at the same time said
that the entry of the United States
could not be hoped for if any such
interference were attempted.
Another Hard Problem.
The question of mandates is an
other difficulty coming up this week.
The council has on the agenda for
tomorrow the nomination of a per-
manent mandate commission and an
| other committee at the same time
will take up the general question in
the form of terms and the control of
mandates. This committee which is
Known as No. 6, has recommended
that the United States be invited to
cooperate unoficially in the study
of the question of disarmament.
Still another important matter on
the program of the control for to-
morrow is the election of successor
to Sir Reginald Tower as high COM
missioner at Danzig. The council
may also frankly decide that reply
shall be made to the German protest
against approval of the results Of
The Eupen-Malmedy plebiscite.' Ger
many contends that the Belgian
troops of occupation exerted pres
.ure on the population.
What of the United States?
With respect to mandates most of
the delegates are very reserved re-
garding the effect the position of the
nited States would have in the mat
;er of the exploitation Of the Meso-
! ootamian oil fields upon the settle
nent of the mandate question by the
.ssembly.
One of the non-European delegates
points out, however, that the Meso-
,otamihn mandate is in Class A,
which carried with it only advisory
,owers on the part of the mandatory,
nd that consequently it is for Great
Britain to advise, not dictate, what
:.lall be the foreign policy. Others
ecall that the whole theory of man
ates rests on the principle of equal
y and justice and that it was not
ltended that territories involved
hould be exploited for the profit Of
e mandatory.
eff it is true that the nations seek
g mandatories are looking for the
most good for the people placed
1der their guidance" said another
,legate, "then any profit for the
:ploitation of economic resources
ader the mandates will naturally go