The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1920-11-26
BRITAIN GETS.
STRONG NOTE
u. S. IN DEMAND
FOR OIL EQUALITY
Asks for Submission Of Meso-
potamian Mandate to
This Government

ciated lr">SD--'rhc American govern
msnt has informed Great Britain polite
to be excluded from participating in the
rights and privileges secured. under
mandates provided in the treaties OF
peace. Furthermore. II expects 10 be
heard regarding the terms of those man
dates before they are put into force.
The position of the United States IS
q state Colby to Earl Curzon. the British
secretary of state for foreign affairs,
and the question discussed Is that Of the
Mesopotamia petroleum fields.
Mr.. COioy'S note is dated November
20. and was made public today, follow
!ng its delivery to the British foreign
office early this week. IL is in reply
10 British note Of last August ninth.
which has never been made pubic. and
which deals with the application OF III"
principles Of equality Ut treatment 70 !
the territories Of thu Near East 10 be
placed undrr British mandate.
Exception Taken
The american Eote takes issue with
what is described as the British posi-
tion that mandate agreements and treat
les are to be considered only by states
that are members OF the League OF Ma
tions. IL states as the United states |
as L participant In the world war and
contributor 10 its successful issue. car
not consider any of the associated pow
erS, IN" SrHalscSt not less than itself,
debarred from discussion "r any OF its
consequences. Gr from ANTICIPATION IN .
the rights and privileges secured under
the mandates provided il the treaties y
peace"
Mr.. Colby says in his note that tho
American Gor"rnmcnt accepts the state
nent Of the Er!tlSh government that II
has refraiunG from exploiting the prtru-
leum resources Of the mandate terri
tories in question and welcome your
plcdgcs.' that II * far from the intcn-
ton of Great Britain TO establish any
kind OF monopoly or preferred position
in its own interest.
Tor Equal Treatment.
u need hardly refer again" Mr.. Colby
continued. TO tn" fact that the govern
rlent OF the United States has consist
emily urged that i Is OF the utmost tni-
portance 10 the future peace "t the
world that alien territory transferred
as a result ~ the war. with the central !
powers should be held and administered
IN such a way to assure equal treat
mcnt to the commerce and to the ctti-,
zcns OF all nations. Indeed, u was IN
reliance upon AN understanding to this
effect, and expressly IN contemplation
thereof. that the United states was per-
suaded that the acquisition under man
date Of certain enemy territory oy the
victorious powers would De consistens
with the bsst interests OF the world.
"lt is assumed. accordingly. that your |
statements with reference. to mandate a,
(not described) together with the state-
Inent that the draft mandates for Mcso-
potamia and Palestine have been pre-
pared with view to secure eapai:ty
OF treatment for the commerce ana clt-
zens OF all states which are members
of the League Of Nations, do not ind'-
cate a suppos!tion on your part that
the United States can be excluded from
the bcnfits Of the principle or equality
- coloys Request.
Referring To the statement by the
British government that the dratt man ,
dates for Mesopotamta and Palestine. :
which have been prepared. Will. when
approved BY the interested alldei pow.
crs, be communicated 70 the council or
the league Of nations. the American sec o
retary OF state says: The Inlteu
SigtsS j.. undoubtedly. one Of the pow
nrS dfrre,,y interested in the terms OF
rhe mandates and. | therefore. request
that the draft mandates be co'nmunl- !
Gated TO this government for rs con
Sideration before their submission 10
the council OF the league.
Mr.. Colby goes on to say that II
would seem essential that suitable pub.
lIcity should be given :" the drafts OF 3
mandates which it is the intention TO
submit To the council. in order that the
F,,iInst opportuni'y may be afforded t
consider their terms in relation to the
ohliyations assumed BY the mandatory
bower and the respective interests OF all
government. which are; Soc,ssS or deem 'ne"-
Critical Test.
"Thr fact cannot be ignored. Mr.
Colby continued. that the reported re-
sources OF Mesopotamia have Interested
nuhli,, nuiniun OF the United states
Great Britain and other countries as
notential subject OF economic STRIFE
because of that fact they become an
outstanding illustration or the KIND OF
economic question with references 20
which the mandate princinlc was eSpecl-
a,y assigned, and indeed. PECULIARLY
critical test Of the good faith or the
nations which have given their a1n"r
ence to the principle. This principle
IN, ha nf
w. IN the future those int"-n'ti"n VI
differences that grow out Of desire. for
the exclusive control or the resources
and markets Of annexed territories.
Mr Colby then frankly states that the
American government finds difficulty
I'm recunciling." the special arrangement
set forth In the so-callcd San tsemo
petroleum agreement. between Great
Britain and Franco. Win tne hrttsn
governments statement that the pc,
t-rIsun resources OF Mesopotamia and
Trrrdom Of action in regard thereto. VIII
he secured 10 the future Arab state. as
yet uuorganiZCd.
"F'urthermorc," he said. "t Is difficult
20 harmonizc that special arrangement
with your statement that concessionary
claims relating TO those resources SIM
remain in their prc-war position. ana
have yet TO receive. with the establish
ment OF the Arab state. the equitable
consideration promised by his majesty =
government. =, 49,,
connection public statement or his ma
iscty's minister IN charge Of petroleum
affairs 10 the effect that the San Reno
agreement was based on the principle
that the concessions granted by the tor
Sner Turkish government must be hon
orrd II would be reluctant TO assume
that his majecty'S government has al
ready undertaken TO pass Judgment upon
The validity OF conccSSionary claimSc in
thn regions concerned. and TO concede
validity 10 certain OF those claims which
cover. apparently. the entire Mesopota-
mia area Indeed, this government. un-
darstandS Your note 10 deny having
taken and 10 deny the Intention 10 take
any such cN-parte and premature action.
Asks Explanation
I'm this connection ! mlSht observe
that such information aS this govern
ment received. ipdic.Itcs that prioT TO N"
war, the Turkish Petroleum company,
10 make specific reference, possessed N
Mesopotamia no rights 70 petroleum
concessions or to the exploitation OF OIL;
and in view OF YOUR assurance that u IS
not tho Intention OF the mandatory
power 10 establish on its own behalf
any kind OF monopoly. l am at loss to
understand how TO conStrue the proEiS-
ion OF the San Remo agreement that any
private petroleum company which may
develop Mesopotamla oil fields snail Do
under permanent British control.
Referring TO some a!luS!on made IN
the original British note on American
supremacy in the petroleum INDUSTRY