Evening star., 1921-05-15
F|RMSTAND0N0|L
QUESTION IS LIKELY
Need of Advancing U. S. In
terests in Mesopotamia
! Pointed Out to President.

It Is considered likely that this ad-
ministration will shortly adopt pol
Icy which will result in a firmer
stand in the protection and advance
ment of American interest in the
Mesopotamia oil regions. as a result
of the conference held Friday be-
tween the President and Representative
Fess of Ohio and Rear Admiral c. n.
Chester. u. S. N, retired. The exact
condition in the Mesopotamia fields
was made known to the President by
his callers and he was told that quick
action is necessary on the part of the
government if the aggression on the
part of other nations. especially
Great Britain. is to be headed off.
The supply of oil has become .
real problem with the country. ac-
cording to the evidence in question"
Representative Eess stated afterward.
Regarding the si,aation, he said
further, Our industrial life is largely
based upon the use OF oil, and it is
the source of our concern, as we'll as
determination, not to allow the su-
H-ema council under the recent man
date system ro deny equal rights to
America in the development of vari-
icus resources through such Conces-
sions by agreements as We may be
able to make.
Roosevelt Saw Need.
The Mesopotamia oil fields have
long been of interest to this nation.
The late President Roosevelt outhor
lied steps to secure a concession by
an American company from the Otto
man empire of the oil sources in
Mesopotamia. The American COM
La hltrvae fsNrNc 1y1I
done everything according to the
legal requirements. 1t is we'll
known fact that a heated contest is
now on for the control of these rich
fields, which form part of the Amer
lean concession.
1T would appear necessary for the
government to take a firm stand upon
rights. such as was taken by President
Roosevelt and President Taft. both of
whom were very active in the project.
1.-The necessity for speedy action
looking to the security of this valu-
able franchise. in which not only the
American company. but the govern
ment itself. has invested already
great deal of money. is very marked.
Some of the highest officials in the
effort to secure these Mesopotam ian
oil fields in the same manner as they
took over the Persian oil lands.
ReIend American Money.
'~This is by lending money the United
States has loaned to Great Britain to
Persia, at an increased rate of inter
est over that charged bv the United
States, subject to the delivery of a
treaty granting valuable industrial
rights to the British subjects.
'Tt is said on good authority that
practically the same arrangements
are being made with other parts of
Asia in which the British secure all
the manganese and other valuable
products once open to citizens of all
countries alike. 1t is believed that
the Turkish element. through which
the American concession was origin
ally formed, is holding a strong posi-
tion in the ottoman empire. 1t will
doubtless stand ready, since the great
need of money is so apparent, to enter
upon terms which the British govern
ment will be on hand to meet. which
may be Instantaneous to American
trade in the far east"
1t was recommended to the Presi-
dent that as soon as proper arrange
ment can be made with all the diff
ferent interests now concerned. a sur
veying expedition. such as already
has been submitted to the Navy De-
partment, be sent under the direction
Of some admiral to explore parts of
Turkey, Syria and Mesopotamia-