The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-11-26
WILL BE HEARD ON MANDATESBEFORE
 OPERATION BEGINS
Position of America Is Firmly Given In Note Discussing Mesopotamian Petro-
 Ieum Fields
By Associated Press

By Associated Press
 Washington, November 25.- The American government has informed Great Britain politely, 1 but firmly, that it does not pro- 1 pose to be excluded from par 1 ticipation i'll the rights and l privileges secured under man. dates provided in the treaties I of peace. Furthermore, it ex- ! poets to be heard regarding the terms of those mandates before they are put into force.
 The position of the United States is l set. forth in note by Secretary Colby | to Earl Curzon, the British Secretary of | State for Foreign Affairs, and the specific question discussed is that cf \ the Mesopotamian petroleum fields. MT. Colbys note is dated November 20, and was made public today following the delivery to the. British foreign office early this week. It is in reply to 8 British note of last August g. which
  deals with the application of principles of equality of treatment to the erri- tories of the near east to be placed un- der British mandate.
 The American note takes issue with what is described as the Brit ish position that mandate agree
 ments and traeties arc to be con-
 sfdered only Icy states that arc
 members of the League of Nations. It states that the United States, as
 a party represented in the World
 war, ssand a contributor to it's suc-
 cessfuI issues cannot consider any
 of the associated powers, he
 smallest not less than itself. de- Y barred from discussion of any of
 it's csnse qucnces, or from partici-
 pation in the rights and privileges seeured under the mandates pro-
 rided sra the treaties of pence.@
 PLEDGES ARE WELCOMED
 Mir. Colby says in his note that the American governnlent accepts the State- ment of the British government that it has refrained from exploiting petrol cum properties of the mandated terri tories in question and welcomes your pledge that it is far from the inten ion of Great Britain ito establish any kind of monopoly or preferred position m its own interest,"
 T need hardly refer again" Mir. Col by continues, Ito the fact that the gov ernment of the United States has com sistently urged that it is for the l.lre peace of the world that alien territory transferred as result of the war with the central powers should be held al administered in such way as to ss- sure equal treatment to the comrierce and to the citizens of all nations. h. T l. l<>- standing to this effect, and expressly ir contemplation thereof, that he United States was persuaded that the acquisition under mandate of certain enemy territory by the victorious l~w- CTS would be consistent with the hest interests of the world.
 Tt is assumed accordingly that your statements with reference to mandate A tnot described), together with the statement that the draft mandates fer Mesopotamia and Palestine have Ieen prepared with view to secure equality of treatment for the commerce and c:ti- zens of all states which are memoers of the League of Nations do not i, di- cate supposition on your part that the United states can be excluded from tlfe benefits of the principle of equality of treatment'
 U. s. DIRECTLY INTERESTED
 Referring to the statement by the British government that the draft mandates for Mesopotamia and .7aIes- tine, which have been prepared, will hen appresed by the interested llied powers, the command of the council of the League of Nations, the American Secretary of State says: The United states is, undoubtedly, one of the row. CTS directly interested in the terms of the mandates and I, therefore request that the craft of the mandates be com municated to this government Tor it's consideration before their subm ssion 10 the council of the league
 MT. Colby goes on 10 say that "it would seem essential that tablasp.b- licity should be given to the drafts of mandates which it is the intention to submit to the council, in order that the fullest opportunity may be afforded <o consider their terms in relation .o tLe obligations assumed by the mandatory power and the respective interests of all governments which are or deem themselves concerned or affected"
 The fact cannot be ignored. MT coipy continues, that the reported re- sources of Mesopotapia have interested public opinion of the Gnited States, Great *Brtaiu and other countries as q poten. tat subject of economic strife Because of that fact they become an outstand ing illustration of the kind of economic question with reference to which, the mandate principle was especially de- signed, and indeed a peculiarly critical test Qk the good faith of the nations which, NEvk given their adherence to the prinQD Xhis principle was accepted in LII of obyiating in the future tho4E Ktional differences that. grow out s&x& re for the exclusive control of Prces and markets of an- new2x 4k< ries''
 FRANK STATEMENT
 Nh Ehen frankly states that the Anq& Eernment finds difficulty in rece the special arrangement set for> so-called san Remo pe- tror Iment between Great Britain and with the British govern me ement that the petroleum red Mesopotamia, and freedom of Y@ 0 regard thereto will be se- '> ftXe future Arab state, as yet