Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-04-16
j. s. POSITION ON
MANDATES GIVEN
FRENCH APPROVAL

WASHINGTON, April 14.-FrancU's
reply to Secretary Hughes note of
| April 4, regarding the Japanese man
date over the Pacific Island of zap
| is interpreted in official circles here
as tantamount to acceptance of the
principle laid down by the American
government that the United States
has surrendered none of its rights
| in the German overseas possessions.
The text of the French note,
which is in the form of a preliminary
reply, was made public today both in
Washington and Paris. 1t is signed
| by Premier BRAND who gives assur-
ances that a representative of the
French government will place before
| the supreme council at it's next meet
ing the question of zap with the
greatest desire to find a solution
which will give every satisfaction to
the United States"
government has already done all in
its power to lend it's aid to the
American governn ent in this natter
Reference is made to the Fren Il
note of last February IS which point
ed out that while the decision of
the supreme council of May z, 1919,
made no reservation concerning the
mandates attributed to Japan over
the islands of the Northern Pacific
President Wilson and Secretary
Lansing had formulated in the course
of a former meeting in the presence
gorica1 reservation concerning the
Island ofPYap." and that the Japa-
nese representative had not object
ed.
The fyll text of the French reply
as made public by the state depart
ment does not differ materially from
that given out in Paris.
After acknowledging receipt of the
American communication, Premier
Brands note says:
1.-THE memorandum, being address,
ed to Great Britain, Italy and Japan
simultaneously, a reply cannot be
made until after an accord between
the governments OF the four interest
ed powers at the next meeting OF
the supreme council.
"I desire, however, to declare now
that when the question comes before
the supreme council the representa-
tives of France will approach the
question with the most ardent de-
sire to find a solution satisfactory
to the United States. Your excellen-
cy knows that already the govern
ment of the republic has done all
that depended upon it to give its aid
in this question to the American gov
eminent.
"By the note of February 10, aft
err having noted that the decision OF
May Z, 1919, carried with it no re-
striction concerning the attributlon
to Japan of a mandate for the islands
of the northern Pacific, my depart
ment explained to your embassy,
however. President Wilson and Sec
rotary of State Lansing, in the course
the preceding meeting had formulat-
ed, in the presence of the Japanese
representative categorical reserva--
tions on the subject of the island OF
zap; that Baron Maxine Japanese
resentative on the supreme coun-
ciD, lad not refused to allow discus
sion of the question raised by the rep
resentatives of the United States and
that, consequently, the Japanese gov
eminent had knowledge of the Amer
lean reservations.
1.-THE note concluded by saying that
there were contained in it elements
for further conversation between the
United States and Japan which the
government of the republic would
be happy to see result satisfactorily.
"That note was the same day COM
municated to the Japanese embassy
in Paris and your excellency was
kind enough to express to my depart
ment a lively satisfaction with the
same and TO give assurance that it
would be particularly appreciated in
washington"