The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-21
FRANCE TRANSFERS
 SYRIAN DESERT ID.
 BRITISH AUTHORITY
Rules of League of Nations Are Overlooked By Two Ma tions-Method Aids Eng
 fish Asiatic Railway
By Associated Press

Washington February 2O-Ths complete text of the Franco-British convention by which the Syrian desert is transferred received today by officials here and s expected to engage the close attention of the state department in connection with the general study of the allied mndates with which the American government for some time has been concerned. The pact as concluded between the French and British governments in Paris, December B. contains provisions for the complete settlement of "the problems ain of the mandates of Syria, Mesopo- tamia and by the attribution of the mandates over Syria and the Lebanon. all three conferred by the supreme coun- ell at San Remo."
 The two phases of the treaty which have engaged the particular attention of American officials are the establishment for the first time of the precedent of a transfer of mandate territory from one Lower to another by mutual agreement without reference to the League of Ma tions and, the acquisition by Great Brit ain of her long cherished dream of an a1l-rail route from the Mediterranean to India through territory under her ex- elusive political or military control.
 OVERLOOK DETAILS
 Tn the settlement of the boundaries of the mandate territories, the southern portion of Syria bordering upon Pales- tine, previously allotted to France by the League of Nations, is transferred to Great Britain and specific provisions is made for the construction of a British railway line linking Palestine with the Mesoptamian railway systems through the Syrian desert.
 Section three, Article five, of the treaty, provides that the French gov- special commission, which, after having examined the ground may readjust the frontier line in the valley of the Yaruk as far as Nasib, in such manner as to render possible the construction of a British railway and pipe line connecting Palestine with the Hebjaz railway and the valley of the Euphrates and running entirely within the limits of areas under the British mandate"
 Part of the British all-rail route from India to the Mediterranean, according to advices received in official circles re- gently, was begun secretly during the war and has been completed from Quetta in northern India to point in Central Persia, skirting the Afghanistan border.
 ENGLAND PROFITS
 The rail route from Palestine would cross the Syrian desert and passing through Basra in southern Mesopotamia would effect junction with the line all ready completed from India at point in Southern Persia. With the transfer of Southern Syria from France to Great Britain. according to officials, only the Southern Persian link would be left outside political control of Great Britain and even this link is now partially under her political control and wholly under British military control.
 It is believed by officials here that on account the uncertainty of the Turkish settlement and the possibility of passing O. control of Constantinople, plans for the linking of the projected, Mediterran- mean to India railway route with that part of Berlin to Bagdad system from Constantinople south. would be deferred until the near eastern situation becomes less obscure.