The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1922-01-05
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

The League of Nations. though
functioning without the cooperation
Of the United States, accomplished
much during the year, chiefly through
its council. which met in Paris On
February q and Immediately referred
proposed amendments to the covenant
10 committee President Wilson,
who during January had withdrawn
the American representatives from the
council OF ambassadors ana the repa-
ratlons commission, on February %
sent to the league council strong
protest against the inclusion OF the
island Of Zap in territories subjected
70 the mandate Of Japan. and also
formally demanded for America
voice in the disposal Of the former
German colonies. The council IL re-
ply said il was nos concerned with
the ALLEGATION Of zap 10 Japan and
invited the United States 10 take part
in discussions concerning the Turkish
and African mandates, a month after
the Republican administration took
office Secretary OF State Hughes Feit-
Grated Mr. Wilson'S stand concerning
zap and mandates I'D general, and
later France and 4taiy indorsed Amer
iea's position 10 the controversy over
the island, though Japan formally re-
fused to give up her mandate. There
after that dispute was the subject Of
long drawn-Out negotiations between
the United States and Japan which
led TO a treaty by which the United
States was assured equal rights ia
zap and other islands inundated 10
Japan.
The council of ambassadors ia Janu-
airy gave Germany mere time to dis
arm. appointed a commission TO pass
on Austria's economic status. decided
that Latvia and EsthoBia should be
recognized as sovereign states, and
then fixed the German separations al
8.OO0.0Oo000 gold marks, payable in
annual installments. and l. per cent
TAX on exports during the period Of
payment This separations decision
created CONSERVATION IN Germany and
Berlin at once began efforts to per
suade the United States to intervene
ia her behalf. The Wilson administra-
ton made 30 response, but on April
= Secretary Hughes informed Ger
many the United States would NOT
counrenance her escaping full respon-
sihility fer the war or getting out OF
paying TO the limit Of her ability A
few days earlier Berlin having failed
to make tie drsE payments. French
troops occupied Dusseldorf. Duis-
burg ana RuhrorI The British OH
iected strongly 10 this independent
action and France thdrew. It would
he tedious to detail the negotiations
over the Preparations bill Suffice 1t to
say that Germany. with Doctor Wirth
is chancellor was compelled TO ac-
cept the figures Of l35ea000oO0O gold
marks finally decided on BY the SUI
prene council. maae the payments due
during the year but, on December ii.
announced that the in major part OF
the sums due in the early part of
1922 could NOT be raised. And since
many economists agreed that TO drive
her into absolute bankruptcy would
be disastrous to the rest of the world,
toward the close Of the year there
was increasing talk Of arranging a
moratorium Of two to three years for
her France was the chief objectof
to such delay as she relied on the
money due her from GERMANY. but
she showed signs Of yielding to the
general view. Division Of Upper
Siiesia between Germany and Poland
caused lot Of trouble. A plebiseite
was held there In March, but both
sides asserted it was unfair and early
IN May the region was invaded by
Polish irregulars. Thinly yelled support
was given them by the Warsaw gov
eminent and also by the French and
there succeeded long series Of tights
between them and German volunteer
forces. The entente cordiaie of the
allies was near to rupture. but In juno
British troops entered the territory
and began clearing out the Poles. The
dispute was referred to the league