The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-26
U. S. ASKS EQUAL
MANDATE RIGHTS
Continued from First Page.

American Government finds difficulty In
reconcilng" the special arrangement set
forth in the so-called San Reno petro-
cum agreement between Great Britain
and France with the British Govern
ment's statement thTt the petroleum re-
sources Of Mesopotalnia and freedom OF
action In regard thereto. will be secured
to the future Arab State, as yet unor-
ganized.
Furthermore" he says, lit is difficult
to harmonic that special arrangement
with your statement that concessiJnary
claims relating to those resources still
remain In their pre-war position, and
have yet to receive. with the establish
ment Of the Arab State, the equitable
consideration promised oy his Maj est~'s
Government.
This Government has noted in this
connection a public statement Of his
Majesty's Minister in charge Of pctro-
leum affairs, TO the effect that the san
Reno agreement was based on the prin-
clple that the concessions granted by the
former Turkish Government I ust be
honored. II would be reluctant TO es-
sumo that his MaJesty's Government has
undertaken to pass Judgment upon the
validity of concess.onary claims In the
regions concerned, and to concede valid
lty Of certain Of those claims. which
cover apparently. the entire Nssopotamia
area. Indeed. this Government Inder-
stands your note TO deny having TAKEN
and TO deny the intention to take. any
such ex parte and premature action.
Turkish Petroleum Company.
"In this connection might observe
that such Information as this Govern
ment has received indicates that, prior TO
the war, the Turkish Petroleum Com
pany. to make specific reference, pos
sessod In Mesopotamia no rights to
petroleum concessions or TO the eXp.oita-
ton Of oil, and In view OF your assurance
that Il Is not the intention Of the man
datory Power to establish on its own be-
half any kind Of monopoly | am at a
loss TO understand how to construe the
provision of the San Reno agreement
that any private petroleum company
which may develop Mesopotamian oil
fields shall be under permanent British
control"
Referring TO some aIlusion" made In
the original British note to American
supremacy In the petroleum industry.
Mr. Colby says that to correct a mis-
apprehension. (which your note re-
fleets he will state that "the United
states possesses only one-twelfth ap-
proximately OF the petroleum resources
81 the world" and that "the oil re-
sources OF no other nation have been
so largely drawn upon for foreign
needs A"
But u IL not these aspects Of oil
production and supply. In SO far as they
are or domestic interest TO the United
states. with which I am concerted In
this discussion" says the secretary of
state IN conclusion. ~ have alluded 10
them IN order 10 correct confusing in
fcrenccs. liable 70 arise from certain
departures. which believe I discern In
your Lordships communication, from
the underlying principles OF a mandate
as evolved and sought TO be app led by
the allied and associated Powers to the
territories. brought under their tenn
porary dominion. by the Joint struggle
and common victory.
This dominion will be wholly mis-
conceived. not TO say abused, II there g
even the slightest deviation from the
spirit and the exclusive purpose OF trus-
iecship ns strict as Il ls comprehen-
sivc"