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Show LEAGUE OF NATIONS HAS PRACTICAL TASK WILL ADJU8T THE CONTROVERSY BETWEEN 8WEDEN AND FIN- LAND OVER ALAND I8LAND8. Action of Two Nations Places-In the Hands of League an International Dispute That Might Have Led to War. Paris. Finland and Sweden have agreed to accept tho Intervention of the league of uatlous for the settlement settle-ment of the dispute between them ns to the possession of tho Aland lslnnds, lying at tho mouth of the Gulf of Bothnia, Both-nia, between tho two countries. A commission will bo appointed by tho executive council of tho lenguo to Investigate In-vestigate the question ami reach au early decision. Tho acceptance of tho council as arbitrator ar-bitrator Is regarded by tho mombcrs of tho council as a long step toward tho recognition of the league by tho nations na-tions of tho world ns a medium for tho prevention ot future wars. The decision of Finland and Sweden to accept the Intervention of tho leaguo was taken ut Saturday's meeting meet-ing of tho council, which was attended by HJalmar Brnntlng, tho Swedish premier, nnd M. Knckcll, the Finnish foreign minister. The council ndoptcd tho report of the committee of International Interna-tional jurists, which had been appointed appoint-ed to determine If tho leaguo had Jurisdiction Juris-diction In tho case. The action of tho two nations places lu the hands of the league an International Interna-tional dispute which at ono time was thought might lead to war, and tho mombcrs of the council do not disguise dis-guise their satisfaction over tho decision, de-cision, which Is pointed to ns ono of tho strongest expressions of support nnd confidence the league has yet received. re-ceived. A commission of three has been selected se-lected to furnish tho lenguo In tho shortest posslblo tlmo a report which will enable It to frnmo cither a final or u provisional settlement. Premier Brnntlng nnd Foreign Minister Min-ister Knckcll both expressed their approval ap-proval of tho course of the council und said they felt confident that a solution solu-tion acceptable to both Finland and Sweden would soon bo reached by that body. Sweden's claim to ownership of tho Aland Islands dates back mora than a ccntnry. They belonged to her up to 1800, when they wcro taken by Russia and attached to the province of Finland. Separated from Itussla ns a consequence of tho war and tho Russian revolution, Finland now claims she Is entitled to the continued ownership of tho group. Sweden Is setting up her previous ownership, together to-gether with the largo preponderauco of Swedish population of (ho Islands, as reusons why they should now revert re-vert to her. In the spring of 1018, when warfare between the White Guards and BoIbIio-vlk BoIbIio-vlk forces broke out In Finland, and It was reported the Germans planned to make uso of tho Islands In connection connec-tion with their operations lu Finland, Sweden sent troops to occupy tho Islands. |
