The New York herald., 1921-02-23
American En- mbassy Will
Deliver Colby Note to
Secretary-General of
League To-day.
SITUATION Is DELICATE
Great Britain and Japan
Stand Together Against
American View Of
MandatOrieS.
FRANCE SUPPORTS t. 8.
BalfOur Welcomes Postpone
ment Until Situation Can
Be Defined-Changes Need
Unanimous Vote.
FRANCE SUPPORTS [. 8.
By LAURENCE HILLS.

By LAURENCE HILLS.
Special Coble TO TIE NEw YORK HEEALo.
Copyright. 1891. bV TIE NEW YORK HEsALD
New York Herald Bureau.
Paris, Feb 20.
Consideration of mandates by the
Executive Council OF the League Of
Nations was abruptly halted this
afternoon by receipt OF word from the
American Ambassador, Hugh c. Wal
lace. that formal note OF protest had
arrived from Washington addressed TO
the Council. The note will be formally
handed to Sir Eric Drummond, Sec
retary- General OF the League of Ma
tions, by the American Embassy to-
morrow morning.
Enough OF its contents is already
known here to say that it foreshadows
diplomatic situation OF highest in
terest affecting the past and the pres
ent relations Of the United States with
the Powers with which she was asso-
ciated In the war. and that il is certain
The note. il was learned, is. first OF
all. an emphatic protest against the
action Of the Supreme Council on the
whole mandate question, and, spe-
ciically. regarding "C'' mandates and
the attribution OF the Island Of Yap
to the Japanese. The Mesopotamian
mandate Is covered in the general part
Of the American note, which, IL is uu-
derstood. contends:
Americs's Vested Right.
!. That the council. representing one
time associates Of the United States. har
absolutely no right TO draw up and sub
NIT TO the League OF Nations any man.
date without consulting and obtaining
the approval OF the United States. which
had vested right in all the colonies
which Germany turned over 20 the fvs
Powers allied In the war
2. That the League OF Nations had no
right 10 act on these mandates without
the consent OF the United States and
that the United States reserves the right
not TO recognize any contracts approved
by the league.
3. That. specifically, in the case OF the
island &c zap, there was a violation OF
the understanding I'm the attribution o.
the island TO Japan, both by the Supreme
Council and BY the league council IN not
providing for the Observation-Disclosures OF
tho island as cable station under q
Class g mandate.
japan and Great Britain Together.
Japan and Great Britain are together
a Ti.a. .
4 compromise, and II Is believed here
that they will oppose the contentious
or the United States, but France. I, is
will not object to reopening
the question and accepts the views OF
the United States. The &c" mandates
however. are. according 20 ieague ex-
perts. already In effect and cannot Dc
reconsidercd or changed without the
unanimous vote OF the council. including
Japan.
The council was TO have discussed the
African mandate to-day intending 10
postpone consideration OF Mesopotanis
until II had received word from London
regarding what action would he taken
there in connection with the Treaty Of
sevres. However. IL IS fully expected
70 approve the Mesopotamian mandate
at this meeting, but II the argument OF
the United states is conceded. the coun-
ell must send the mandate back 70 the
supreme Council, 20 be made the SUB
ject Of negotiations with the United
states through the usual diplomatic
channels
uuted states Position strong.
The league has received many other
protests against the mandates from va
.ious liberal organizations Throughout
states Il is understood. that demands re
or the leagues approval OF
he Class &C" mandate affecting the
island Of zap given at Geneva and the
Of the views Of the United
States In connection with other man
dates before action is taken on them.
\ member Of The league staff who had
seen the American note expressed the
oclief Il would be very hard 10 answer.
Interest I'm the American note was en-
ianced by the fact that Il was the flrs
imc tho United states Government had
taken the initiative In addressing the
caguc. some of the members seeing
herein some recognition OF the lesgue's
status by the United states not accorded
Tho American note Is seen here as
bringing up the whole mandate question
again az time when the Powers are
seeking financial favors from the United
states and her support IN their repara-
ions problems
Also Il il seen why Arthur b Balfour.
Lord President OF the Council Of the
British Cabinet was sent here from
,ondon at the last minute in the place
Il " A. L. Fisher. Great Britain having
received an intimation OF the protest By
he United States. At the Geneva
meeting Of the assembly Mr.. Balfour was
he British spokesman on mandates In