New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-04-06
Hughes Reported to Have
Sent Note Telling Toxic
Pacific Island Mandates
Will Not Be Recognized
Copies Also Given
TO Allied Powers
Tone of Finality Said to
Mark Communication on
Supreme Council Action

Word was received yesterday from
Washington by Wall Street business
houses that the Harding Administra-
ton. through the State Department.
had dispatched a new note to the jap
anese government, declaring in what
is said to be a tone of tinality that the
United States does not recognize as
binding the mandates given to japan
by the Supreme Council over the for
mer German colonies in the North
Pacific Ocean.
Although no confirmation of this re-
port was said to be available at the
State Department, the advices quoted
trustworthy sources to show that the
communication had been drafted and
sent to Toxic. Secretary Hughes would
neither affirm nor deny the report.
Copies OF the note were understood to
have been sent to the British, French
and Italian governments.
Z. s. Claims Voice in Settlements
The note, without referring specih-
cally to the island of Yap. which is a
cable control center, makes it plain.
the adviccs said, that the United States
IS entitled to voice in the disposition
of the problems of the war and that
until the assent of the WASHINGTON
government is given to settlement,
growing out of the war these settle
ments are not binding on the United
States.
According to reports from Washing
ton, the American note was couched in
firm tones designed to impress upon the
Japanese government that the position
OF the United States government. de-
spite changes in admina nastration. is the
same on thrs question as was enunciat-
ed by Bainbridge Colby, former Secre-
tary Of State.
The copies Of the rote were handed
TO the other governments because. if
IS said, all are concerned, inasmuch IS
this is the latest chapter in the inter
rational controversy over the disposi-
tion of the former German cables. All
three nations to which copies were sent
have been cipating in the cable
conferences in Washington. The note
refers Enthusiastically to Yap, the storm
center Of the cable controversy
W ilSOn DISSont Recalled
The American note, it is said recalls
that IN previous statements of the at
titude of the United States government
It has been maintained that ex-Presi-
dent Wilson dissented from the pro-
posa to hand Yap to Japan and en-
| tered reservations to the proposition.
In any event, the note points out, the
American representative on the Su-
preme Council did not assent to the
proposal and until such assent is given
the decision cannot be binding.
Previous communications on the
subject have been addressed by the
Washington government to Japan, the
other powers and the League of Ma
tons, but this is the first note to be
framed on the subject by the Harding
Administration. Only short time be-
fore the expiration of Woodrow vii
sons term he advised the League OF
Nations of Americas attitude, but was
informed, after the matter had beer
considered, that the matter had passed
the stage where objections might be
made and that, aside from what action
| might be taken by the Supreme Coun
Gil. the league council would do moth
ing. 1t was suggested that the stu
alton might be reviewed by the Allied
premiers, but no move in that direction
has ever been taken.
Representatives of the Japanese
government have suggested that they
were willing to discuss the matter with
the Washington Administration, but
official indications were given out that
the only concession Japan was pre-
pared to make was to give the United
States control of the cables passing
through Yap The Toxic government
however, would maintain its mandate
ever the island.
MELBOURNE, Australia. April g.
Premier Hughes to-day informed q
caucus of Nationalists that the main
subjects to be discussed at the I'm
perial Conference to be held in London
next June will be control of the Pacific
Ocean, naval cooperation and the rela-
tions between the dominions and the
British Empire in the conduct of for
eign affairs.
The decisions Of the conference will
be submitted to the Dominion Parlia
ment for ratification.