NOTES ON INTERNATIONAL AEFAIRS
FROM OCTOBER 10 TO NOVEMBER 10
Prepared by Allan Westcott, U. S. Naval Academy
POLAND AND RUSSIA
Polish Troops Occupy Vilna.—Subsequent to the armistice between Poland and Lithuania, Polish forces under general Zellgouski on October 9 seized and occupied the city of Vilna, the ancient Lithuanian capital. General Zellgouski then announced the existence of a new state of "Central Lithuania," proposed boundary negotiations with the Lithuanian Government at Kovno, and called on Poland for aid and recognition.
This action, analogous to that of d'Annunzio in Fiume, and taken without the open approval of the Polish Government, called forth remonstrances from the western powers. A joint Franco-British note on October 18 summoned Poland to disavow responsibility in the affair. The difficulty was afterward turned over for solution to the commission appointed by the League of Nations which was already on the scene as mediators between Poland and Lithuania. Both these states agreed to continue negotiations under the auspices of the League. On October 28 the League Council meeting at Brussels decided that the territorial dispute between Poland and Lithuania should be settled by a plebiscite.
Polish-Russian Treaty Ratified.—On October 25 the All-Russian Soviet voted to ratify the preliminary peace treaty between Poland and Russia. Foreign Minister Tchitcherin pointed out that Poland agreed to refuse assistance to Wrangel's forces in South Russia and to deny all other aid to reactionary elements in Russia. This he declared was sufficient to justify the territorial concessions made to the Polish Government
As shown by the accompanying map, the new Russo Polish frontier lies considerably to the eastward of that proposed by the Allied powers, and leaves Soviet Russia with no territory bordering on either Germany or Lithuania.
Poles Object to Danzig Convention.—On October 23 the Polish delegates, appearing before the Council of Ambassadors in Paris, presented objections to the Danzig Convention on the ground that it did not give Poland free access to the sea and control of customs, as specified in the Treaty of Versailles. The convention establishes a commission composed half of Poles and half of residents of Danzig, under a neutral chairman, to control the port. The Poles prefer to buy land and develop their own port facilities.
Soviet Note on Submarines Unsatisfactory.—London, November 3.—Replying to the Russian Soviet Government's recent note concerning the operation of submarines by the Soviet Navy, Earl Curzon of Kedleston, Secretary for Foreign Affairs, says the British Government's belief in the proposed aggressive action of the submarines was based on a Soviet Minister's statement when the submarines were launched in the Black Sea that he hoped they would sink Entente vessels.
The British Government, Earl Curzon added, did not feel justified in running any risk, and now had found its fears confirmed by the vague statement of the Soviet note, which would permit of Soviet submarine torpedoing a British ship under the excuse of mistaken identity.
The note asserts that the Soviet forces in the Black Sea are still engaged in acts of open hostility against British interests, and it demands definite assurances.—N. Y. Times, April 11, 1920.
Lloyd George on Bolshevism.—At the Lord Mayor's Banquet in London on November 9, Premier Lloyd George spoke of the Russian problem as follows: "Bolshevism is a passing phase that cannot survive. It is such an impossible creed, it is such a ludicrous creed, it is such a crazy creed, it cannot survive but I tell you what may survive—anarchy.
"Bolshevism will pass away. If Russia falls into the hands of anarchy it may be a generation before it is redeemed. It is a dead loss to Europe. It is worse—it is a festering thing which will poison the atmosphere of the world.
"Therefore, in spite of everything, we persevered to try and secure peace. I know the difficulties—thwarted by suspicions on all hands in Russia, in Europe, in Britain; divided purpose in Russia, divided purpose in Europe, and, above all—there is no use pretending—we have been dealing with men who, unfortunately, did not realize how important it is that they should respect their own obligations. In spite of all that we mean to persevere, because we realize the danger of a Russia sunken and sodden in anarchy."
LEAGUE OF NATIONS
Meeting of League Assembly at Geneva.—During the first weeks of November preparations for the first meeting of the League of Nations Assembly at Geneva on November 15 were well under way and delegates were arriving. It was reported that Germany, Austria, and Bulgaria would apply for admission to the League. A program of business to be taken up by the Assembly consisted of 29 items, including election of president, nomination of committees, consideration of amendments to the covenant, consideration of the tribunal plan proposed by the committee at The Hague, and admission of new members to the League.
League Council at Brussels.—Brussels, October 28 (Associated Press).—The Council of the League of Nations this morning closed its sessions in Brussels. The Council took a final adjournment after referring the question of Danzig, the regulations concerning which are in dispute between Poland and the authorities of the free city, to the Assembly of the League, which is to meet at Geneva next month.
The Council took other important action in deciding upon a plebiscite as to the disposition of the territory in dispute between Poland and Lithuania, this including the line fixed by the Supreme Council in December, 1919.
A. J. Balfour, the British representative, in making the closing address declared that four great powers not now members of the League would enter it shortly.
"Without these great powers," he added, "It is impossible to predict what the League may accomplish."
France and Great Britain Publish Agreements.—At the Brussels meeting of the League Council, Great Britain submitted for registration and publication 16 international agreements made with foreign powers or self-governing commonwealths within the British Empire since January 10 last. This action was in compliance with Article XVIII of the League Covenant providing that "no treaty or international engagement shall be binding until registered." The documents included the Anglo-French oil agreement, a commercial agreement with Esthonia, and the contract with Soviet Russia relating to prisoners.
France announced on November 1 that the military treaty between France and Belgium would also be placed on file with the League secretary and published.
Objections to Cecil as South African Delegate.—Prior to the session of the League Assembly at Geneva, Premier Smuts of South Africa named Lord Robert Cecil as one of the two members of the South African delegation. To this nomination France made a formal protest on the ground that delegates from British self-governing commonwealths should be citizens and presidents of those commonwealths and not Englishmen, hi order that England should not control six votes in the assembly.
League Council Adopts World Court Plan.—On October 26 the League Council approved the plan for a permanent court of international justice as proposed by The Hague Committee of Jurists, with the exception of the provision for obligatory jurisdiction and certain other minor matters. The plan for the choice of the judges, and other provisions attributed to Mr. Elihu Root, were adopted in their entirety.
The proposal for compulsory jurisdiction provided that the court should have jurisdiction in any case in which one party in the case appealed to it. To this Norway and Denmark raised objections on the ground that it went further than the League of Nations Covenant itself. They proposed instead that the court should have jurisdiction only in cases in which both parties made appeal.
ALLIED AGREEMENT ON REPARATIONS PLAN
Paris, November 6.—The dispute between the British and French Governments as to whether the Reparations Commission or Allied Premiers shall fix the amount of German reparations has been settled by a compromise, by the terms of which the Reparations Commission shall fix the amount and the Premiers will look it over before it becomes final. Lord Derby, the British Ambassador, took to the Quai d'Orsay late to-day a not; from London containing Lloyd George's latest ideas and the French will reply to-night. I gather that the following four steps will be taken.
(1) There will be a conference between allied experts named by the Reparations Commission and German experts which will study the technical aspects of the problem and report to their government. (2) This will be followed by a conference between representatives of the Allied Governments and the German Government, who will consider reparations and report to their governments. (3) The Commission on Reparations to which the Allied Governments will have communicated their views on the results of the two conferences will fix the German debt to the Allie? (4) The chiefs of the Allied Governments will then meet "to make the necessary decisions," including the fixing of guarantees.
It will thus be seen that there is little likelihood of the amount of reparations being fixed before next May by which time, according to the terms of the treaty, the total must be presented to Germany.
Paris, November 6 (Associated Press).—Coolness between the British and French Governments over their divergent views relative to German reparations was dissipated by a note from the British Government delivered at the French Foreign Office personally by the Earl of Derby last night
It is said at the French Foreign Office that France now approves, not only of a Brussels Conference of Allied and German experts, but also an advisory meeting at Geneva of allied representatives, which she formerly opposed. There is a possibility that Germans will participate in the meeting.
It is understood that the Geneva meeting, whether attended by the Allied Premiers or not, will draw up a basis for action by the Reparations Com mission. The decision of the Commission, according to this understanding, will then be submitted to a conference of the Premiers for final action.
It is considered probable, it was added, that the German Minister of Finance will attend the Geneva meeting.—N. Y. Times, July 11, 1920.
England Not to Confiscate German Property.—At the close of October Great Britain renounced the right of confiscating further German property in the United Kingdom, in case Germany should default in payment of reparations. This action was regarded as a measure for the encouragement of trade between England and Germany, assuring Germans against possible loss of property and goods in British hands.
This action was at variance with the policy of France, where confiscation has already in part been carried out. German property in the United States has been largely converted into liquid assets and is now awaiting the disposition of Congress.
NEAR EAST
Allied Agreement on Turkey.—On November 4 Great Britain, France, and Italy made public an agreement reached among these three powers regarding their respective spheres of influence in the former Turkish Empire. This agreement, though not announced at the time, was reached on August 10, the date of the signing of the Turkish treaty.
The compact assigns spheres of influence, control of railroads, etc., in Asia Minor, and pledges the three powers to give each other diplomatic support in maintaining their positions in "the areas in which their special interests are recognized." France's concessions lie in eastern Asia Minor, Italy's in the southern part of that region. Great Britain's privileges are not stated, but it is understood that she will be given the presidency of the commission controlling the Dardanelles.
Death of King Alexander of Greece.—King Alexander of Greece died on October 25'from the effects of a bite inflicted by a pet monkey. On October 28, Prince Paul, the 19 year old younger brother of Alexander, was proclaimed king, and Admiral P. Coundouriotis was elected regent until the arrival of the new king.
The offer of the throne to Paul was made on the condition that King Constantine and his eldest son Prince George would formally renounce their rights. In his reply to the offer Prince Paul declared that he could not disregard the rights of his father and elder brother, and that his action would be controlled by the will of the Greek people as expressed in the approaching elections.
These elections, postponed till November 14, were a definite conflict between the Venizelos and the Constantine factions in Greece.
Fiume Discussion Renewed.—Rapallo, Italy, November 9.—The question of Fiume was brought up for discussion to-day by the conference of Italian and Jugoslav delegates being held here for a settlement of the Adriatic problem, although no agreement has yet been reached on the proposal of the Italian delegates that the Istrian frontier be that established by the Treaty of London. The Italian delegates proposed that the independence of the new State of Fiume be recognized by both countries, but the Serbian delegates, especially Anton Trumbitch, the Jugoslav Foreign Minister, strongly opposed independence for Fiume. They maintained that the port was indispensable to Serbia for economic and commercial reasons, declaring it be their only safe and fit outlet to the sea.—N.Y. Times, November 9, 1920.
MEXICO AND LATIN AMERICA
Recognition of Obregon Government.—In a formal statement issued 011 October 29, Secretary of State Colby made public a letter from Roberto V. Pesquera, confidential agent of the Mexican Government, requesting recognition of the present government of Mexico and resumption of official relations with the United States. In his statement Secretary Colby expressed the opinion that Pesquera's letter "offers a basis upon which the preliminaries to recognition can confidently proceed," that the new government of Mexico "had given indication of stability, sincerity, and a creditable sensitiveness to its duties," and that "the last cloud upon the ancient friendship of the two peoples is soon to disappear."
The chief point of conflict between the two governments is the retroactive feature of Article XXVII of the Constitution of 1917, concerning oil and mineral deposits, which foreign interests in Mexico regard an equivalent to confiscation of their property. It is understood that the present Mexican Government will meet the American objections 011 this point.
Benton Claims Adjusted.—The claims of the British Government resulting from the murder of William S. Benton, a British subject in Mexico, were adjusted by an agreement between the Mexican and the British Governments made public on November 4. By its terms Mexico will pay 20,000 pesos to Benton's widow, who is a Mexican subject, and a pension during her widowhood of 5 pesos a day.
Zayas President of Cuba.—Early returns from the Cuban election of November 2 indicated the victory of Dr. Alfredo Zayas, Coalition candidate for president, over General Jose Gomez, his Liberal opponent.
Secretary Colby on South American Tour.—It was announced U President Wilson on November 9 that Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby would visit Brazil, Uruguay and other South American countries to return visits to the United States made by officials of those countries. The dale of Secretary Colby's departure was set for the latter part of November.
JAPAN AND UNITED STATES
Treaty Negotiations Progressing.—Washington, Nov. 3.—The Japanese situation will not become tense as the result of the adoption of the referendum in California on the alien land ownership directed against the large Japanese colony in that state. It was learned upon high authority to-day that the State Department had anticipated the vote in California by reaching a tentative agreement with the Japanese Ambassador as to what action should be taken to satisfy the residents of California.
It is understood that Japan is not unwilling to enact a law prohibiting Japanese immigration to the United States, and that in return for this the Japanese now in California will receive full civil and property rights. Such an agreement has been arrived at, it is understood, but, of course, has to be accepted by the Japanese Government before it becomes operative as well as by the United States Senate. It is understood that if Japan agrees to this solution a treaty will be sent to the Senate which will cover this and other matters in dispute.
It is believed that the stage has been reached where both in Washington and in Tokio tentative drafts of the proposed new treaty and of the modified gentlemen's agreement are being prepared, and it is possible that the present situation will continue for some weeks while the two parties are reaching an agreement upon the exact phraseology.—N. Y. Times, Nov. 4.
Japanese Naval Appropriations.—In recent debates on the budget in the Japanese parliament sharp attacks were made upon the enlarged naval program, on the ground that these "colossal estimates for armaments" were aimed especially against the United States. To this Premier Hara replied:
As you are aware, Japan is now among the five great powers of the world, and it is important for her to be provided with armaments commensurate with her position in world politics. I feel sure that the present national defense program will excite no misunderstandings abroad, and that Japan will not be credited with any ambitious designs.—November Times Current History.
Anglo-Japanese Alliance.—Washington, Nov. 4.—In diplomatic circles the view was expressed to-day that the defeat of the League of Nations clause in the American elections would have a profound reaction on foreign chancelleries, and that one result would probably be to remove any doubt in respect to the renewal of the Anglo-Japanese alliance.
Baron Hayachi, the new Japanese Ambassador in London, already had stated that there had been no disposition in either England or Japan to adopt any other course than the renewal of the alliance, for which he thought, there was more need now than ever.
The subject of the alliance has been informally discussed by British authorities with American officials and it is believed that changes in the terms of the alliance will reflect England's desire to have nothing in the treaty that might possibly create suspicion in the United States, and Japan's willingness that nothing in it might be construed to threaten this country.—N. Y. Times, November 3.