[Sailor Steve]

Tuesday, January 28, 1919


PARIS PEACE CONFERENCE
Day 9

M Pichon's hotel suite, Quai d’Orsay, 11:00

Discussion of the disposition of former German colonies is continued. Mr Lloyd George says that, having consulted his Colonial Experts the previous night, he believes that colonies conquered by other powers should be treated differently than those taken by the Major Powers, and expounds on this concept. M Clemenceau says that the French Minister for Colonies would have a statement prepared the following day. M Pichon says he believes that France will probably agree with Britain on this. Baron Makino and Signor Orlando, when asked, both state that Japan and Italy will also likely agree that the colonies conquered by Lesser Powers should be considered as a special case.

Mr Massey says that he is not opposed to the idea of a League of Nations, but reminds the Council of the Congress of Vienna (1814), which was established to bring about universal peace and failed. He points out that Australia and New Zealand are in the same boat together - if one falls the other must fall with it. He states that Samoa is of vital importance to New Zealand and if was left in anyone else's hands New Zealand would be strangled. He then gives a list of islands and archipelagos already administered by New Zealand, and the quality of the work that has been done there in education and development. He describes Germany as an "outlaw among nations" and says that unless her former colonies are firmly in the hands of other countries Germany will make every effort to get them back. He closes with the question of how George Washington would have responded if at the end of the American Revolution something akin to a League of Nations had taken charge of the unsettled lands in North America. "There was little doubt that the American settlers would have protested at this offer, and rightly so, for, had this taken place, the United States would not have grown into one of the greatest Powers of the World."

President Wilson responds by pointing out that there has never been a situation exactly like the one facing them now; certainly not the one for which the Congress of Vienna was created. He then states that there is another power operating in the area that no one has mentioned, and that is the United States. He says that no one would dare try to play the part Germany did in that region without it coming to America's attention. M Clemenceau then declares this part of the discussion to be ended.

The talk then turns to Japan and Kiauchow. Baron Makino states that since taking that region from Germany, Japan has been in possession of it. Japan and China are on friendly terms at this point, and Japan intends to restore Kiauchow to China as soon as Japan has right of disposal from Germany. Mr Koo, speaking for China, agrees to these terms. President Wilson points out that the Council has been discussing the disposal of German colonies without consulting Germany at all. Mr Koo in his turn points out that while the Council speaks for countries of a few million people, he is expected to speak for four hundred million people, or one-quarter of the human race. He must consult his government before agreeing to any proposal laid before him. He then brings up the points that Germany extracted the annexation of Kiauchow and the Kantung Province by force, and that this densely-populated area was the cradle of Chinese civilization. It would be wrong to transfer this territory to anyone other than China. Baron Makino counters by saying that when China entered the war she gave up her right to direct restitution.

At this point M Clemenceau closes the meeting.


M Pichon's hotel suite, Quai d’Orsay, 11:00

Continuation of Territorial Discussions.

1. M Clemenceau asks M Simon, French Minister for the Colonies, to give the case for French possession of Cameroon and Togoland. M Simon starts by saying that of course these colonies cannot be given back to Germany. To whom should they be given? France had previously signed treaties with the two colonies, treaties that were revoked under force by Germany. The colonies had always been happy under French rule, and have asked to remain so. He believes the populations of the colonies would be better off under French rule than with any other system. France has spent a large amount of money and effort improving this area, and without that influx the area could wither and die.

2. Mr Lloyd George brings up the general principle of Mandatories (nations holding a Mandate from the League of Nations, usually to govern another country). he feels it would be better to settle on general principles before discussing the specifics of each case. President Wilson says he believes it would be wiser to have that discussion the next day rather than change the subject mid-meeting. Mr Balfour points out that while there has been much discussion of the League itself, there has been almost none concerning the powers of a mandatory nation. Mr Balfour brings up the question of whether Mandatory powers should be permanent or temporary. Mr Lloyd George reiterates the idea that the general idea should be decided on before discussing the specifics. President Wilson observes that it may look to the world as if the Great Powers had given themselves all the best parts, then created the League of Nations. The world would not accept the idea that the League of Nations was created just to support the claims of the Great Powers, and an effort must be made to ensure that did not happen. The League of Nations must the be body that determines these questions.

The question is then raised of how far Mandatory powers must extend. In some cases Trusteeship might mean nothing, while in others it might be equal to outright ownership. A lengthy discussion follows concerning all the questions involved in the League's powers to govern over the nations of the world. Most are agreed that this is necessary to a point; differences consist of where that point lies.

Finally Mr Hughes states that most of the world doesn't know the meaning of the word "Mandatory" in this context, and proposes that "Trustee" might be the better term. Mr Massey agrees.

Baron Makino asks whether the principle of Mandatory has been accepted. M Clemenceau tells him no, it has merely been postponed until the next meeting.


Born On This Day:

Francis Stanley "Gabby" Gabreski (born Franciszek Stanisław Gabryszewski), American fighter pilot and leading U.S. ace in Europe. His 28 confirmed kills there and 6 more over Korea make him one of only seven American pilots to become an ace in two different wars. Died 2002.