The Washington times., 1921-04-18

mandatory territories are liable to be
honeycombed by exceptions and ex-
/ illusions But such = conclusion is
wholly at variance with facts and can
not be thought by anyone to be con-
vincinE.. Consequently the reference
to it in the note under reply tends In
the opinion Of the Imperial Govern
ment in no way to strengthen the con-
tentions of the United States"
"OPEN-DOOR- POLICY.
with reference to the open door
policy. Japan said:
THE Imperial Government would
| draw attention to the extract of the
meeting of the commission on man
dates held on July s.. 1919. Colonel
House opposed Viscount Chinda's
claim that the same equal opportuni-
ties for commerce and trade should
be guaranteed in territories belong
ing to the class as in those belong
ing to tho B class.
! IN view Of the position thus taken
by the American delegate. the Impe-
rial Government feels obliged to state
that in their opinion the Americas
| Government cannot, with Justice. con-
tend for the open door In Glass c ter
rItories, mt least ~ against Japan, and
| - inform the United states Govern
ment at the same time that they can
not consider themselves bound In anx
way to recognize the freedom Of 9th
er nations In the manner insis ted up
en- by the American Government In
regard to the landing and the oper-
the principle of the open door II guar
anteed."
Secretary Hughes note in reply to
| tat hat tnI
States is unable to agree with the
Japanese position, continued:
in view of the frequent references
in the note Of the Japanese govern
ment to what Is termed the decision
OF the Supreme Council, this Govern
ment deems it appropriate to state
the fundamental basis of its repre-
sentations and the principles which in
it's view are determinative.
1T will not be questioned that the
right to dispose of the oversee pos
sessions of Germany was acquired
only through the victory of the al
lied and associated powers, and IL is
also believed that there Is no dispo-
sition on the part OF the Japanese
government to deny the partic pat ion
Of the United States in that victory.
at would seem to follow necesssr-
lily that the right accruing to the al
the common victory is shared by the
United States and that there could
be no valid or effective disposition Of
the overseas possessions of Germany
without the assent of the United
States.
This government must, therefore.
point out that as the United States
has never vested either the Supreme
Council or the League of Nations with
/ NAA
States or to act in it's behalf. there
has been no opportunity for any de-
cision which could be deemed to af-
feet the rights OF the United States.
CITES ARTICLE IIs.
"The fact that the United States
has not ratified the Treaty of Vsr-
sailles cannot detract from rights
which the United States already has
acquired - But 1t should be
noted that the Treaty OF Versailles
did not purport to secure to Japan or
any other nation any right in the
overseas possessions OF Germany save
as an equal right therein should be
secured to the United States. On the
contrary. Article 119 of the Treaty
Of Versailles provides:
principal allied and associated powers
all her rights and titles over her
oversees possessicns.' 1T WILL NOT
BE QUESTIONED THAT ONE OF
THE PRINCIPAL ALLIED AND AS
sOCIATED POWERS IN WHOSE
FAVOR GERMANY RENOUNCEs
HER RIGHTS AND TITLES IN THE
UNITED STATES. Thus the
terms Of the treaty conarm the post
States.-
Id,
American note of November 8, the
Hughes note continues:
"It Is a cause of regret to this Gov
ernment, that after and despite this
protest, there should have been any
attempt to pass upon drafts OF man
dates purporting to deal with the Pa
cific islands, including Yap, and that
n mandate should have been approved.
or attempted to be put into effect,
which, while purporting to be made
In the name OF the United States. was
without the assent of the United
states. This Government trusts that
this action, which It must assume was
taken under a Misrepresentation, will
be reconsidered.
an particular, as no treaty has
ever been concluded with the United
States relating to the Island OF Yap,
and as no one has ever been authof-
lied to cede or surrender the right of
interest OF the United States in this
I island, this Government must insist
that II has not lost its right or inter-
est as II existed prior to any action
| by the Supreme Council or the League
of Nations, and cannot recognize the
ALLEGATION OF the island or the valid
ity OF the mandate to Japan. .
"This Government, as has been
clearly stated in previous communi-
cations seeks no exclusive interest in
| the Island OF Yap and has no desire -
secure any privileges without having
similar privileges accorded to other
powers. including. OF course. Japan.
ana relying upon the sense OF justice
| OF the government of Japan and ~
the governments OF the other Allied
and Associated Powers, this Govern
| ment looks with confidence TO a dis