Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1920-12-02
U. S. FIRMLY CALLS
GREAT BRITAIN
eRIToNs INFORMED U. S. WILL
NOT BE EXCLUDED FROM
ANY TERRITORY
ISSUE TAKEN WITH BRITAIN
.. S. Doesn't Propose To Waive Any
Privileges, Even n Not A
Member Or League

Washington. - The United States
government has informed Great Brit
ain politely, but firmely, that it does
not propose to be excluded from par
ticipation in the rights and privileges
secured under mandates provided in
the treaties of peace.
The position of the United States is
set forth in note by Secretary Col
by to Earl Curzon, the British secre-
tary of state for foreign affairs, and
the specific question discussed is that
of the Mesopotamian petroleum fields.
Mr.. Colby's note is dated November
20, and was made public following its
delivery to the British foreign office
early in the past week.
The note is in reply to a British
note of last August 9, which has never
been made public and which deals
with the application of the principles
of equality of treatment to the ter
r:tories of the near east to be placed
under British mandate.
The American note takes issue with
what is described as the British po-
sition that mandate agreements and
threats are to be considered only by
states that are members of the league
of nations.
1t states that the United States, as
participant in the world war, and
a contributor to it's successful issue,
cannot consider any of the associated
powers, the smallest not less than it.
self debarred from discussion of any
of it's consequences, or from partlcl-
nation in the rights and privileges Sc
cured under the mandates provided
in the treaties of peace"
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 properties of the man
dated territories in question, and wei
coming your pledges that it is lar
from the intention of Great Britain TO
establish any kind of monopoly or
preferred position in it's own inter-
est"
Il need hardly refer again" Mr.. Col
by continues, ito 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 territory trans
ferred as a result. of the war with the
central powers should be. held ana
administered in such way. as to as
sure equal treatment to the commerce
and to the citizens of all nations.
Indeed it was in reliance upon an
understanding to this effect and ex-
messed in contemplation thereof that
the United States was persuaded that
the acquisition under mandate OF GER
tain enemy territory by the victorious
powers would be consistent with the
best interests of the world.
1T is assumed, accordingly, that
your statement, with reference 10
Mandate A mot described) together
with the statement that the draft
mandate 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 supposl-
tion on your part that the United
Ctatas can be excluded from the ben
Gifts of the principle of equality OF
treatment"