Great Falls daily tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1895-1921, 1920-11-26

The American note takes issue with
what is described as the British posi-
ton that mandate agreements and treat
les are to be considered only by states
that are members of the League of Ma
tions. It states tnat the United States.
as participant in the world war, "and
contributor to its successful issue.
cannot consider any of the associated
powers. the smallest not less than it
self, debarred from discussion of any of
its consequences. or from participation
in the rights and privileges secured un'
der the mandates provided in the treat
iea of peace''
tfrr:- t-'nlby Says in his note that the
American government accepts the
statement of the British government that
it has refrained from exploiting the pc
troleum resources of the inundated ter
ritory in question" and welcomes your
pledges that it is far from the inten-
ton of Great Britain to establish any
kind of monopoly or preferred position
in its own interests.
Position on Mandates
II need hardly refer again." Mr. Colby
continues ito the fact that the govern
ment of the United States has consist
emily urged that it is of the utmost i'm
portance to the future peace of the
world that alien territory transferred as
q result of the war with the central
powers, should be held and administered
in such way as TO assure equal treat
ment to the commerce and to the eiti
zens of all nations Indeed it was in
reliance upon an understanding to this
effect, and expressly in contemplation
thereof, that the United States was per-
suaded that the acquisition under man
date of certain enemy territory by the
victorious powers would be consistent
with the best interests of the world.
1T is assumed accordingly. that your
statements with reference to mandate A
(not described together with the state
ment that he draft of mandates for
Mesopotamia and Palestine have been
prepared with view to secure equality
of treatment for the commerce and citi-
zens of all states which are members
of the League of Nations do not inai-
cate a suppoSitlon on your part that
the United States can be excluded from
the benefits of the policy of equality of
treatment
Requests Draft ofsMandates
Referring to the statement by the
British government that the draft OF
mandates for Mesopotamia and Pales-
tine WHICH nave nePH pFepdFSu VIII.
when approved by the interested allied
powers. be communicated to the council
of the League of Nations, the American
secretary of state says: 1.-THE United
States is. undoubtedly. one of the pow
ers directly interested in the terms of
the mandates. and therefore request
that the draft of mandates be commuli-
Gated to this government for its consid-
Grafton before their submission to the
council of the league
Mr.. Colby goes on to say that 1T
would seem essential that suitable pub
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 to
their terms in relation to the |
assumed by the mandatory |
power and the respective interests of all |
which are or deem them |
selves, concerned or affected"
Test of Good Faith
THE fact cannot be ignored. Mr.. Colby |
continues. that the reported resources |
of Mesopotamia have interested public |
opinion of the United States, Great |
Britain and other countries as poten- |
tial factor in the economic situation.
Because of the fact they become an |
illustration of the kind of |
economic question with reference to
which the mandate principle was es-
pecially designed, and, indeed. pecu-
Iiarly oAitical test of the good faith of |
the nations which have given their ad- /
herence to the principle. This princi- |
pie was accepted in the hope Of obviat-
ing in the future those international diff |
ferences that grow out of desire for
the exclusive control of the resources
and markets Of annexed territories"
Mr.. Colby then frankly states that the |
American government finds difficulty in |
reconeiling the special arrangements set |
forth in the so called San Reno pre-
troleum agreements between Great |
Britain and France, with the British |
government statement that the resours-
es Of Mesopotamia and freedom of ac-
ton in regard thereto will be secured I