The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1920-11-30
Colby Speaks Frankly to British For.
eign Ofice-United States Says
1t Expects Voice.

Washington, Nov. 25 (By the AS
sociated Press) s).-The American
government has informed Great Brit
ain, politely, but firmly, that it does
not propose to be excluded from
participation in the rights and privl-
leges secured under mandates pro-
vided in the treaties of peace. Fur
thermore, it expects to be heard re-
garding the terms of those mandates
before they are put into force.
The position of the United States
is set forth in a note by Secretary
Colby to Earl Curzon, the British sec
retary of state for foreign affairs,
and the specific question discussed is
that of the Mesopotamian petroleum
fields. Mr.. Colby's note is dated No
vember 20 and was made public to-
day following its delivery to the Brit
ish foreign office early this week. 1t
is in reply to a British note of last
August 9, which has never been made
public, and which deals with the ap-
plication Of the principles of equali-
ty of treatment to the territories of
the Near East to be placed under
British mandate.
The American note takes issue
with what is described as the British
position that mandate agreements
and treaties are to be considered
only by states that are members OF
the league of nations. 1t states that
the United States, as a participant in
the world war "and q contributor to
its successful ISSUE" can not consider
any of the associated powers, the
smallest not less than itself, debarred
from diseassion Of any of its conse-
quences, or from participation in the
rights and privileges secured under
the mandates provided in the treaties
of peace.
Pledge is Welcomed.
Mr.. Colby says in his note that the
American government accepts the
statement of the British government
that it has refrained from exploiting
the petroleum resources of the man.
dated territories in question and
welcomes your pledges" that it is
far from the intention of Great Brit
ain ;'to establish any kind of monop-
oily or preferred position in its own
interest"
81 need hardly refer again." Mr..
Colby continues, ''to the fact that the
government of the United States has
consistently urged that it is of the
utmost Importance to the future
peace of the world that alien terri
tory transferred as result of the
war with the Central powers should
be held and administered in such
way as to assure equal treatment to
the commerce and to the citizens of
all nations. Indeed, it was in reliance
upon an understanding to this effect
and expressly in contemplation
thereof, that the United States was
persuaded that the acquisition under
mandate of certain enemy territory
by the victorious powers would be
consistent with the best interests OF
the world.
''It is assumed, accordingly, that
your statements with reference to
mandate (not described) together
with the statement that the draft
mandates for Mesopotamia and Pales-
tine have been prepared with view
to secure quality Of treatment for
the commerce and citizens of all
states which are members Of the lea
que of nations, do not indicate sup
position on your part that the United
States can be excluded from the
b. nelits of the principle of equality
of treatment"
As Interested Party.
Referring to the statement by the
British government that the draft
mandates for Mesopotamia and Pal
estine, which have been prepared,
will, when approved by the interested
allied powers be communicated to
the council of the league of nations,
the American secretary of state says
"the United States is, undoubtedly,
one of the powers directly interested
in the terms of the mandates, and
I therefore request that the draft
mandates be communicated to this
government for its consideration be-
fore their submission to the council
of the league"
Mr.. Colby goes on to say that "it