Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-06-21
EX-PREM|ER Of
SWEDEN GR|LLS
ALLIED REPORT
Commission Which InveS-
tiqated the AIand Island
Dispute Is Criticised BY
HjaImar Branting.

Geneva, June 2O,-H1almar
Branting, former premier of Swed-
ep at today's session of the league
OF nations council attacked the re-
port of the allied commission
which investigated the dispute be-
tween Finland and Sweden over
ownership Of the Aland islands. He
was particularly severe upon
Judge A. L. Elkus, American MEM
ber who, he said, diminished the
Importance of his own mission and
detracted from the prestige of his
own decision by declaring the
question to be Insignificant"
Mr.. Branting demanded a ple-
biscite on the principle of self
determination for peoples and de-
clared naturalization Of the islands
was necessary for Sweden's Sc
curity.
c. J. A. Enckell, Finnish minis
ter in Paris, recognized the Swed-
ish nationality of the population.
He reminded the council, howev-
er, that the king of Sweden had
promised in 1909 never to assert
any rights over the islands and
that Sweden had recognized Fin
lands independence without re-
serve.
Hearing Was Public.
The Aland Islands question hear
ing was public.
In the afternoon the council took
up the German complaints against
the Sarre valley governing COM
mission. Later the council closed
its doors and decided to make it's
deliberations public only after all
representative of the press had de-
parted.
During the day members en-
gagged in a controversy over pub
licity, several demanding open
doors which was opposed by the
italian delegates, the Marquis I'm
periale. When finally the council
decided to give out its deliberations
on the Sarre question. no press rep
resentatives were present.
After M. Branting had scored
the Aland commission. the Finnish
representative. NJ. Enckell, de-
clared his country would never
consent to part with the ISLANDS.
The council reserved decision. All
indications point to its being IA
vorable to Finland.
Replies to Complaints.
M. Rault, president of the Sarre
valley governing commission, re-
i Piled to the German complaints on
the garrisoning of French troops
in the territory and also expulsion
of German functionaries connected
with the strikes in August, 1920,
and the use of French money In
the territory. He declared troops
were necessary to protect lives and
property.
Concerning use Of French money
he said it was to the interest OF
the people. ,
Troops Presence Approved.
The council approved the pres
ence Of troops, but suggested that
the commission arrange to reduce
the number. There are 1000 troops
in the Sarre district, including
some blacks, but the latter are
about to be sent away.
The council asked the commits
sion to report in every case IN
which the expulsion Of a German
functionary had been maintained.
The council also decided that the
commission had full power to use
French money. If necessary.
The Aland islands commission
report recommended that the is
lands remain under Finnish SOW
ereignty with regulations for the
safeguarding of the Swedish popu-
lation. The commission held the
islands were too small for inde-
pendence and rejected the idea or
awarding the islands to Sweden for
several reasons.