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Show LEAGUE OF NATIONS HAS PRAGTIGAL TASK WILL ADJUST THE CONTROVERSY BETWEEN SWEDEN AND FINLAND FIN-LAND OVETt ALAND (S LANDS. Action of Two Nations Places in ths Hands of League an International Dispute That Might Have Led to War. Paris. Finland and Sweden have agreed to accept the intervention of the league of nations for the settlement settle-ment of the dispute between them as to the possession of the Aland islands, lying at the mouth of the Gulf of Bothnia, Both-nia, between the two countries. A commission will be appointed by the executive council of the league to investigate in-vestigate the question and reach an i early decision. The acceptance of the council as arbitrator ar-bitrator is regarded by the members of the council as a long step toward the recognition of the league by the nations na-tions of the world as a medium for the prevention of future wars. The decision of Finland and Sweden to accept the intervention of the league was taken at Saturday's meeting meet-ing of the council, which was attended by Hjalmar Branting, the Swedish premier, ami M. Enckell, the Finnish foreign minister. The council adopted the report of the committee of international interna-tional jurists, which had been appointed appoint-ed to determine if the league had jurisdiction juris-diction in the case. Tlie action of the two nations places In the hands of the league an international interna-tional dispute which at one time was thought might lead to war, and the members of the council do not disguise dis-guise their satisfaction over the decision, de-cision, which Is pointed to as one of the strongest expressions of support and confidence the league has yet received. re-ceived. A commission of three has been selected se-lected to furnish the league in the shortest possible time a report which will enable it to frame either a final or a provisional settlement. Premier Branting and Foreign Min- Ister Enckell both expressed their approval ap-proval of the course of the council and said they felt confident that a solution solu-tion acceptable to both Finland and Sweden would soon be reached by that body. Sweden's claim to ownership of the Aland islands dates back more than a century. They belonged to her up to 1S09, when they were taken by Russia and attached to the province of Finland. Separated from Russia as a consequence of the war and the Russian revolution, Finland now claims she is entitled to the continued ownership of the group. Sweden is setting up her previous ownership, together to-gether with the large preponderance of Swedish population of the islands, as reasons why they should now re-ert re-ert to her. In the spring of 191S, when warfare between the White Guards and Bolshevik Bolshe-vik forces broke out in Finland, andv it was reported the Germans planned to make use of the islands in connection connec-tion with their operations in Finland, Sweden sent troops to occupy the islands. |