Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-11-26
COLBY ACCUSES BRITAIN.
State Document Hints at Dup'ioity in
Mandate Countries.

w tGFUatc countries.
Washington, Nov. Secretary
Colhy's note TO Great Britain on
Mesopotamia, made public yesterday.
reveals the startling fact that that
nation has completed plans to eN-
ciude the United States from any
participation in the resources of all
mandate territory thruout the world
on the ground that this government
is not member of the league of na-
ticns.
Protesting that the United States
as a contributor TO the success OF the
war, can not be iebarred from the
discussion OF any of it's conseuuen-
ees, Secretary Colby, in his note,
demands that the drafts OF mandate
forms" particularly those OF Meso-
potama and Palestine. which have
leen kept secret, "be communicated
&c this government for its considera-
ton before their submission TO the
council of the league of nations
In his note, which is regarded as
theNmost important as well as one OF
the ablest sent out by this govern
ment since the armistice. Secretary
Colby strongly hints that Great Brit
ain IS guilty. Of tho most fragrant iu-
Plicity In Mesopotainia.
This government" he states,
finds difficulty in reconciling the
special arrangement set forth in tho
so-cal!ed san Reno petroleum agree-
ment." by which Great Britain took
- per cent to Frances % per cent
with your statement that the petrol-
cum resources OF Mesopotamia will
be secured to the future Arab state
an Yet uniformed.
SH'urthernore, it is difficult to har-
monize the special arrangements
with your statement that conces-
sionary claims relating to those re-
sources still remain in their prewar
position. and have yet to receive, with
the establishment OF the Arab state,
TIE equitable consideration promised
by his maiesty,s government
In view of yonr assurance that It
is not the intention Of the mandatorys
power to establish on it's own behalf
any kind of monopoly. i am at a loss
,e know how TO construe the pro-
vision of the San Reno agreement
tia any private petroleum company
VIII ii may develop the Mesopotamian
ell fields shall be under permanent
British control"
While Secretary Colby's note Is tsl-
rected specifically against the aeIae-
,ffes of Great Britain In Mesopo-
tamia. where American interests have
been aebarred from participation in
the oil resources, Ii is also ;sirned 10
establish d ncw orId-wida princig.le
that the nations holding mandates
are only trustees for the benefit OF
the world.
II the principles laid down by
Great Britain were permitted to stand
American interests would be excluded
from Persia. all of the Turkish en-
.plre. and even from the islands Of the
Pacific now held under mandate of
Japan.
That monopoly of the worlds re-
sources was capefully planned by
Great Britain is shown by the fact
that her delegates to the Versailles
conference refused to accept what is
now known as draft mandate. form
A. which proposed the principle of
equal opportunity for all nations in
all mandate territory and which was
urged upon them by the United
States.
Secretary Colby's note, dated No
vember 20, is directed to the secre-
tAry of foreign affairs. 1t was made
necessary by the failure Of Great
Britain to answer two previous notes
demanding the open door in Mesopo-
tamia. These notes, while not i'm
portant in themselves, We're aimed. it
was stated by high authority to-
night, to bring Great Britain into the
open. and they have had the precise
desired effect.
REFERRING to some illusions" made,
In the original British note to Amer
lcanA supremacy in the petroleum in
dustry, Mr.. Colby says that to cor
rect misapprehension, which your
note reflects" he will state that the
Untted States possesses only approx
imateiy one-tWelfth of the petroleun,
resources Of the world" and thar
the oil resources of olother nation
nave been SO largely drawn unon FOR
foreign needs"