Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-11-26
America Tells Britain All
Must Enjoy Equality
of Opportunity.
COLBY SETS FORTH U. S.
POSITION IN FIRM NOTE
This Country Not Barred From
Participation by Failure
to Join League.
MEsopoTAMIA is DISCUSSED
Purpose OF English to Monopolizc
Near East Resources Results in
Exchange OF Correspondence.

WASHINGTON. Nov 25. The
American government will insist on
the open door for all nations In terri
tcrics administered by the powers Az
result OF the war with tho central
empires.
II will demand the right for Its
citizens and those OF other allied
countries TO enjoy equality in trade
and commerce In all territories which
have come under dominion OF the
powers through the war.
Further. having contributed 20 VIC
tory In the war. the United States
Will not be ignored In settlements
special privileges. from participation
not be recognized.
This is the purport OF tho third
American note to Great Britain on the
nature OF a mandate, with particular
reference TO the oil resources OF Mes
opotamia. The text OF the note was
made public today. The correspond
cncc was begun BY the United states
when information came to the state
Department indicated Great Britain
purposed TO monopclize Oil and min
serving exploitation of them TO her
own citizens. The previous exchanges
were not published.
American Position Set Forth
The position of the United States is
set forth in n nete by Secretary
Colby tc Earl Curzon. British Sec
re,ary of State for Foreign Affairs,
and the specific question discussed ia
- ,Iar mt NJ irr,
fields. Mr.. Coiby's note Is dated No
ve:nber 20 and was made public today
following its delivery to the British
Foreign Office early this week. 1t is
in reply to n BpitistsS6tc OF last Au-
gust 8. which has nsver been made
public and which deals with the APP
of treatment to the territories OF the
Near East 10 be placed under British
mandate.
Takes Ixsue with Hritain-
The American notestakes issue with
what is described as the British posi-
ton that mandate agreements and
treaties are 10 be considered only by
states that are members CT the league
OF nations. 1t states that the United
states. as n participant in the world
war and a contributor to its success
ful issue. cannot consider any OF the
associated powers-the smallest not
less than itself-dcbarred from dis
cussion OF any OF it's consequences. or
from participation In the rights and
privileges secured under the man
dates provided in the treaties OF
peace"
Mr.. Colby says in his note that the
American government accepts the
statement OF the British government
that II has refrained from exploiting
the petroleum properties 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"
Assure Equal Treatment.
IT need hardly refer again." Mr..
Colby continues, "to the fact that
the government OF the United States
has consistently urged that 1t 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 a
way as to assure equal treatment to
The commerce and to the citizens of
all nations. Indeed. 1t was in reliance
upon an understanding to this effect
and expressly in contemplation there
OF that the United States was per-
.suaded that tie acquisition under
mandate Of certain enemy territory by
the victorious powers would be con-
sistent with the best interests OF the
world.
ut is assumed, accordingly. that
your statements with reference to
mandate a (not described), together
with the statement that the draft
mandates for Mesopotamia and Pales-
tine have been prepared with view
10 secure equality Of treatment for
the commerce and citizens OF all
states which are members OF the
league Of nations, do not indicate A
supposition on your part that the
United States can De excluded from
the benefits of the principle of equal
iiy Of treatment"
Referring to the statement by the
British government that the draft
mandates for Mesopotamia and Pales-
tine. which have been prepared. will.
when approved by the Interested al
lied powers, be communicated to the
council OF the league OF nations. the
American Secretary Of State says,
Tho United States is undoubtedly,
one Of tho powers directly interested
in the terms OF the mandates. and !.
Wherefore, request that tho draft man
dates be communicated to this gov
ernment for it's consideration before
their. submission to the council OF the
league"
Wants suitable Publfeity.
Mr.. Colby goes on to say that "it
would seem essential that suitable
!, Continued .onT Ei1renth Paee.Y > :