The Washington herald., 1920-11-26
u. S. DEMANDS EQUAL RIGHTS
IN MESOPOTAMIAN OIL FIELDS
Complete Text of Colby's Note

league Of nations and by the sig
nntories OF the covenant. such
powers ms the allied and associ-
ated nations may enjoy, or wfeId.
In the determination Of the gov
ernmentaI status Of the mandated
areas, accrued to them ns n direct
result OF the war against the CEN
trai powers. The United states,
MS participant I'm that conflict
and rs n contributor TO fits sue
cessfui issue, cannot sonsider any
of the associated powers, the
smallest not less than Itself. de-
barred from the discussion of any
of Its consequences, or from par
ticipation I'm the rights and privi-
provided for I'm the treaties Of
peace.
Notes to Go 10 League.
This government notes with in
terest your statement that the
draft mandates for Mesopotamia
and for Palestine, which have bees
prepared with n view TO secure
equality Of treatment and oppor-
tunity for the commerce, citizens
and subjects of all states which
are members of the league of ma
tions, will, when approved by the
interested allied powers, be COM
municnted to the council of the
league of nations. The United
states is, undoubtedly. one of the
powers directly interesteA On the
terms of the mandates, and I
therefore request that the draft
mandate forms be communicated
TO this government for its con-
alteration before their submis-
sion to the council Of the league.
IL is believed that His MaJesty's
government will be the more
ready 10 aequiesce In this request,
in view of your assurance that
His Majesty's government fs In
full sympathy with the various
principles, contained In the two
previous notes OF this government
upon this subject.
The establish ment Of the man
date principle. n new principle I'm
International relat and one
in which the public opinion Of th<
world Is taking q special fnter~sf,
would seem 10 require the frank
est discussion from all pertinent
points Of view. IL wouId seem es-
septiaI that suitable publicity
should be given to the drafts of
mandates which IL In the intention
TO submit to the council, I'm orde,
that the fullest opportunity may
be afforded TO consider their
terms In relation to the obIign-
lions assumed by the mandatory
power, and the respective inter-
ests of all governments, which
are OF deem themselves eoncernod
or affected
The fact cannot be ignored that
the reported resources OF Mesopo-
tamia have inferessed pabIss
opinion Of the United state.
Great Britain and other countrte,
ms a potential subject of economic
strife. Because Of that fact they
become nm outstanding nIustra-
tion of the Kind of economic ques-
tion with reference to which, the
mandate principle was especially
designed. and indeed n peculiarly
critical test of the good faith ol
the nations, which have given
thoir adherence 10 the principle
hhH prtnttDIC "ar accepted I'm
the hope of obviating in the fu-
ture those international differ
ences that grow out of n desire
for the exclusive control of the
rcSources and markets of annexed
territories. To cite a single ex-
amplei Because Of the shortage OF
petroleum, its constantly increas-
ing commercial Importance. and
the continuing necessity Of re-
pienishing the worlds supply by
drawing upon the latent resources
Of undeveloped regions, IL is Of
the highest Importance 10 apply
TO the petroleum industry the
most enlightened principles rec
ognized by nations as appropriate
for the peaceful ordering of their
economic rela tions.
This government finds diffcuIty
I'm reconciling the special arrange
CONTINUED ON PAGE FIVE.