The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-11-19
GERMANS WOULD
BE HUNS AGAIN
Germany Would Treat Peace
Pact as Paper Scrap.
Tells League Colony Clause No
Longer Binding.
EXPECTED TO HAVE SAY
Covenant Failed to Make Pro-
vision for Mandate.
Berlin Disappointed at Being
Left Out of Council.

Geneva. Nov. 19.-Germany no
longer considers herself bound by the
clauses of the peace treaty under
which she surrendered her colonies.
This position was taken In an ap-
peal Germany addressed to the League
of Nations today. The appeal pro-
tested against establishing mandates
for former German colonies.
1t declared that the allies had not
abided by the treaty which provided
that mandates for the former German
colonies were to be distributed by the
league.
Expected To Be Member.
Germany states that she signed the
peace treaty and the league covenant
with the expectation of being admit
ted and thus being permitted to par
ticipate in the distribution of man
dates over her colonies.
Since she has not been admitted to
membership and had no part in the
distribution of mandates. the appeal
said. she therefore considered herself
no longer bound by the treaty clauses
accepting her colonie"-
wording of Pact.
The league covenant did not specifically
provide for the distribution OF mandates.
Article - Of the covenant dealing with me
subject Of mandatOries. merely PROVIDED
that they should be established. The ar
tic.e, rfter stating that this method OF ad-
mInistrntlon Is deemed best for the colonies
and territories of former enemy states, goes
into the matter of the duties and powers OF
the mandatOries. Article - reads:
TO those colonies and territories which
as "A consequence of the late war have
caused to he under the society OF the states
which formerly governed them ana whlch
are inhabited by people not yet able 10
stand by thcmgelves under the strenuous
conditions OF the modern world, there
shouid be applied the principle that the
weii-being and development OF such people
for;n sacred trust Of civilization and that
securities for the performance of this trust
should be embodied in this covenant.
THE hest method of giving practical ef-
feet to this principle is that the tutelage or
such people should be entrusted to the adj
vnnccd nations who by reason Of their re-
sources. their experience or their geograph-
ical position can best undertake this re
Suonsibility and who willing to accept
it, and that this tutelage should be exer-
cised by them as mandatories on behalf OF
tho lCaEue.
..'rhe character of the mandate must diff.
fer according to the stage of development
Of tile people the geographical situation OF
the territory its economic conditions and
other similar circumstances
specifically Surrendered colonies.
The article then touches on the
duties of the mandatories directing
that they shall prevent Illicit traffic.
building OF Notifications and the like.
1t also prov des the method of an
nuany reporting to the league of ma
tons
In the peace treaty proper, Germany
specifically surrendered all rights and
title to her colonies and all possessions
out 'ide the boundary line as de-
termned in the treaty.
Article 11S. section 1 of part 4 of
the treaty contains this renunciation.
1t read:
"Gc;many renounces in favor of the
pr.rc pal allied and associated powers
all her ghts and titles over her over
seas possessIo Ions.'
Would Admit Germany.
Immediate admission of Germany
and the other former enemy states to
the league of nations was urged before
the assembly of the league today by
George Nicol Barnes of the British
delegation.
Mr.. Barnes said he knew the great
majority of the laboring people of
England demanded that all the enemy
states be admitted without delay.
The British delegate recalled the
fact that Germany had taken part all
ready in the deliberations of the in
ternational labor bureau established
by the league.
Critises Inaction.
Mr.. Barnes spoke approvingly of the
actlon oI the council on some ques-
tons, but criticised its inaction during
the last year while Polandeand soviet
Russia were engaged in hostilities
he cited Article XI of the league
covenant, providing that any war or
threat of war should constitute a mat
ter of concern to the whole league.
and that it should take any action
deemed wise and effectual to safe
guard the peace of nations. and in
quired why the council had not taken
action under the article to prevent the
Russo Polish war
Send Troops to wilma.
Preparations for the despatch OF
troops to wilma to supervise the Pol
ish-Lithuanian plebiscite in that city
went on today. British French. Span
ish and Belgian soldiers were put al
the disposal of the league.
The assembly hoped to begin soon
the real work of considering agenda
submitted by various nations. This
will be done in committee and TO-DAY
there was agitation for still further
subdivision. With each committee
consisting Of forty-one members. it was
believed they would prove unwieldlv