Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-09-07
Position Stated in Open
Note to Former Allies
and Submitted to League
HUGHES CLAIMS
Secretary Sets Forth Desires Of
America in Territorial Awards
Oil Question Not Taken up.


now every reason for confidence that
Secretary Of State Hughes is des-
tined to win all that he has contend
ed for in the dispute with the Allies
over the disposition of the territories
ceded by Germany and its allies to
the principal victors Of the World
War.
The justice of Mr.. Hughes con-
tention that America, by virtue Of it's
contribution to the victory, possesses
an alienable interest in the former
German colonies and is entitled to
equal rights in the territory cedei by
Turkey already has been conceded by
the Allies. They set out to ignore
the United States in the formulation
OF the mandates for these territories
ostensibly because America was not
represented IT. the Supreme Council,
and they paid no attention to the
Wilson Administrations protest
against approval of the Japanese
mandate by the League of Nations
Council, ostensibly because America
was not represented in the League.
When Mr.. Hughes took the matter
in hand, however, the Allies changed
their attitude. He demonstrated that
the Allies in ignoring the United
States, were violating provision cf
the Versailles treaty and were de-
privinS the United States of right
conferre by that treaty which were
ica to Iat;fy trat contract.
Thereupon ;ne Allies asked the
United STAT" to state what changes
It desired in The drafts Of the "a"
mandates f3r l!esopntanlia and other
former Turkish territories. and of
the "B" mandates for former Ger
man possessions in Africa, which
classes iof mandates are awaiting the
approval of the League of Nations
Council. The Allies also indicated
their willingness to revise the terms
of tho &c" mandates for the Pa
cific islands. a2proved by the League
Council n December, 1920, in such
manner i. might be ag. ed uron by
the Un ted States and Japan in the
discussion of the disposition of Yap,
the cable and radio center in the Pa
cific.
The nots disratched by Mr.. Hughes
to the Allies last week sets forth in
detail re charges the United States
desires made in the provisions of the
"a" and "B" mandates, SO as to pro-
tect American interests.
In general way Mr.. Hughes in
this note insists on such revision of
the mandates as shall eliminate any
possible discrimination against the
United States and it's nalionalsts in
the inundated territories because
America is not member of the
League of Nations.
Furthermore, he insists that in re-
gard to commercial concessions in
these territories there shall be no
discrimination or monopolies and that
the open door for American CONNER
cial enterprises shall be maintained.
The capitulatory rights provided in
some of the mandates until govern
ments fully protective Of foreign
rights and interests are established,
Mr.. Hughes also suggests shculo be
included in other mandates. Like
wise he proposes that the provisions
protective of missionaries and their
activities be broadened N some OF
the mandates in which they We're
more narrowly drawn than in others.
The note is based upon she policy
of asking no territory or ,ther tan>
gible possessions for the United
States, but insiting on the guarantee
to America of the same rights as
the Allied powers and the members
of the League of Nations in the
mandated territories. despite the fact
that the United States is not men,
ber of the League.
The night of the United States to
voice in the disposition of Meso-
potamia and other former Turkish
possessions, although state of war
between America and Turkey never
was declared, is based on the rea-
soning that the victory over Turkey
is inseparable from the victory over
the Germans. to which the United
States contributed. 1t is assumed by
Mr.. Hughes that the Allies do not
desire to ignore such fundamental
principles or to use mandates as We
hicles of discrimination.
TIE question of oil and other con-
cess;ons in Mesopctamia, which
Great Britain and France have taken
steps to control to the exclusion OF
American enterprise, is not dealt
with in the note except IN principle.