Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-04-07
Island Of zap should be included in
the assignment of mandates to Japan.
Agreements We're 0onditaonal.

".As a matter of fact, all agree
ments arrived at regarding the as
signmcnt of mandates were condi-
tional upon a subsequent agreement
being reached al to the specific, terms
OF the mandates and further, upon
their acceptance by each of the pfin-
cipal Allied and Associated powers.
The consent Of the United States is
essential both as to assignments OF
mandates and the terms and pro-
visions of the mandates, after agree
as to their assignment or alloca-
ton.
The consent of the United States
as you know, has v been given on
either point, as to the Island Of zap
yap Not Included.
Apart from the expressed purpose
Of President Wilson in relation to the
ceedings of The supreme council OF
May z. 1919. did, not, and in the ma
true of things, could not have final
ity. this government is unable to per-
ceivc n ground for the contention
that it was the duty of this govern
mcnt to make immediate protest with
respect to the so-called decision OF
May Z. 1919, and certainly 1T cannot
be said that an omission to do 80
operated rs a cession of its rights. 1t
may be added, however, that when
tcntion of this government in connec-
ton with the conference on commun.
ications in October last. this govern
ment informed the government OF
Japan and other governments, (by
notes of Nov. ., 1seo) that it was the
understanding Of this government
that the Island of zap was not IN
cluded in the action of May Z, 1919.
Its position was subsequently stated
at length.
"It is a u of regret to this gov.
crnment, that after and despite thit
| protest. there should have been any
attempt to pass upon drafts of man.
dates purpotting' to deal with the Pa,
ciflc islands including Zap and that a
mandate should have been approved
aoraaattem mated -.,to % bio into effect
which, while ~nurporting 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 at must assume was
taken under a MISREPRESENTATION, will
be r~econsidered.
+ q. S. Insists On Right.
"In particular, as nc treaty has ever
! been concluded with the United States
relating to the Island of Yap, and al
no ono has ever been authorized tc
! cede or surrender the right or inter.
est Of the United States in the Island
this government must insist that il
! has not lost ats right or interest as II
existed prior to any action OF the Su.
preme council or OF the League Of
Nations, and cannot recognize the al.
location of the island or the VALIDITY
Of the mandate to Japan.
In this view. this government,
deems it to DC unnecessary at thi.
time to consider the terms of the 80.
called c. mandates, or the discussion
with respect thereto.
This government. as has beer
clearly stated in previous communities.
tons. seeks no exclusive interest ir
the Island Of zap and has no desire
to secure any privileges without hav.
ing similar privileges accorded to othe,
powers. including. of course, Japan
and relying upon the sense of justice
Of the government Of Japan and o.
the governments Of the other Alice
and Associated powers, this govern
ment looks with confidence to a. dis.
position of the matter whereby tht
just interests OF all MA be properly
conserved .,