The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-04-18
japanese Government Says
Mandate Power Elimi-
mates Claims of United
States to Island
RULING LEAGUE OF
NATIONS AN ISSUE
WORDS OF COLONEL HOUSE QUOT
ED BY JAPS IN SUPPORT OF
THEIR CONVENTIONS: CABLE
STATION THE ISSUE.

Washington, April IS.--To maintain
It's position with regard TO the Pacific
Island Of zap, the American govern
ment would have to prove not merely
the fact" that President Wilson made
reservations concerning it, but E;so
that the supreme council decided IN
Favor Of those views" the Japanese
government says in note under date
Of last February 20, made public today
Dy the state department along with
the other correspondence between the
Two governments regarding Yap.
II must also be remembered. Ia
pan says, that If u decision i'm favor
OF the exclusion Of the island OF Yap--
a question Of grave concern to japan.
ana one which the Japanese delegation
Invariably maintained firm attitude
really made. as it Is implied. by the
argument Of the United States goy.
erhnent, at the meeting Of the supreme
council May I, 1919, at which Japan
was not represented, it could not but
have been regarded as an act of en-
tirely bad faith.
lt was to this note that Secretary
uughes replied last April 3, at the
same time sending similar notes 10 the
governments Of Great Britain, France
and Italy He declared that the Unit
ed states was unable to agree with
Japan's contention that not 10 maintain
its position. it would have ito prove"
not only that President Wilson made re-
servations regarding Yap. but also that
The supreme council adopted those
views.
AS no treaty has ever been con.
cluded with the United States relating
to the island of zap, Mr.. Hughes ad.
ded, and no one has ever been ad-
Vised 10 cede or surrender the right or
interest OF the United States and the
Island, this government must insist
that IL has not lost its right or interest
as 1t existed prior to any action OF the
supreme council or of the league Of
nations, and cannot recognize the al
location of the island or the validity
of the mandate TO Japan"
Japan has not rs yet replied to this
communication, so that 10 date, the
correspondence consists Of IN. two
notes quoted In the foregoing, another
formal note sent by Acting Secretary
Davis last December 6, by direction OF
President Wilson and two memoranda.
with which the exchanges We're initiat-
ed last November.
In the first memorandum dated Nov.
=. the secretary of state said 1T was the
clear understanding Of the American
government that the supreme council
at the previous request OF President
Wilson. had reserved for future con
sideration. the final disposition of the
island in the hope that some agree
ment might be reached to place it under
international control and thus render
1t available as an international cable
station.
The Japanese foreign office replied in
a memorandum under date Of Novem-
Der ~ that II was the definite under
standing Of the Japanese governments
that the supreme council on May {.
came To final decision TO place under
mandate TO Japan all OF the former
German Islands north OF the equator:
that the decision Involved mo reserva-
lions whatever in regard to the island
OF Nap,' ana that, therefore. the
Japanese government. would not be
able 10 consent to any proposition
which, reversing the decision OF the
supreme council. would exclude the
island Of zap from the territory com.
mitted to their charge" In respNnse
TO this memorandum, Acting Secretary
Davis dispatched L long formal note
10 Toxic. setting forth that the Ameri.
can government could not agree that
Nap was included in the decision Of
the supreme council Of May Z, 1919, us
claimed and that even on the assump-
ton that the island had been Included
Ia the mandate, "all other powers
should have free access TO the ISLAND
Tor landing ana operation OF cables"
The japanese reply on Feb. &C. said
that ir the observation of the American
government relating to the cables was
put forth irrespective OF the fact that
the island was within the mandatory
territory then the question seems TO
be one which should be freely settled by
the nation which has charge OF the
place. namely Japan.
The note went on TO say that IL the
observance was made owing TO the
nature OF the mandate, Japan would
draw attention TO the fact that at the
meeting OF the committee on maniates
on July ~, 1919, Colonel II. NJ. House,
one OF he American peace commission
ers. opposed Viscount Chindas claim
that the same equal opportunities for
commerce and trade should be guar
anteed in territories OF the &C" class
tsuch as the Pacific islands, as In
those belonging to the "B' class OF
territories under mandate.
I'm view OF the position thus taken
by the American delegate" the note
added. "the imperial government feels
obligated to state that In their opinion
the American government cannot with
justice contend FOR the open door Ia
he &C. class territories as against
japan. and To inform the United states
government at the same time that they
cannot consider themselves bound IN
any way to recognize the freedom OF
other nations In the manner Insisted
upon by the American government Ia
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