New-York tribune., 1921-04-30

countries, and the belief that the req
ognitior Of. the principle of equal ops
portunity .is.the solution Of the future
oil problems throughout the world.
II have pointed out that the United
States has for years carried burden
of supplying large part Of the pc
troleum consumed by other countries.
and that herpctsoleum resources of 20
other country have been so haavily
drawn upon to meet, foreignE neSds as
the petroleum resources of the United
States | have pointed out that In the
future ample supplies of petroleum
have become Indispensable to the life
and prosperity of my country as q
whole, because of the fact that the
United States is an industrial nation
in which distance renders transporta-
tion difficult, and agriculture depends
largely on labor saving devices using
petroleum products.
In these circumstances, my govern
meEt finds no alternative than the
adoption of the principle of equally
good opportunity, with the proviso that
no foreign capital may operate in pub
lie lands unless it's government accords
similar or like privileges to American
citizens; and, furthermore, l have sub
mitted that in the light of the future
needs of the United States such very
limited and purely defensive provisions
as the above might become inadequate
should the principle Of equality of op-
portunity not be recognized In foreign
countries.
During the month Of January, 1921,
again had an opportunity to discuss
the situation with your excellency, and
on this occasion | advised you that in
my interviews with the Minister Of the
Colonies had gained the impression
that the Colonial Department at least
was inclined to favor the participation
of American capital in the development
of the Djambi fields; at the same time
advised you of the nature of the re-
ports which had made to my govern
vorable attitude of the Colonial Depart
ment. and, furthermore, asked
whether the attitude Of the Minister
of Colonies represented in fact that
of Her Majesty's government You will
recollect that on January 81 you were
good enough to advise me that my i'm
pressions had been accurately reported
to'NmN government, and that | had not
the favorable attitude of
the Colonial Department, which repre-
sented that Of your excellency's govern
nent.
~ have now the honor to inform
your excellency that have received
telegram from the Secretary of State
to the effect that the government of the
United States is still mindful of the
assurances that have been given by
you and by the Minister of Colonies
relative to the favorable attitude of
Her Majesty's government toward
American participation in the develop
ment of the Djambi fields While l am
not acting on behalf of any particular
American company, | am glad Of this
opportune moment to point out that
certain definite propositions, which
have been made during the last twelve
months, furnish sufficient evidence that
responsible and experienced American
interests are ready and desirous to CO.
operate with the Netherlands govern
ment in oil developments in the Meth
erlands Indies.
ut is perhaps needless to say that
my government is fully aware of the
laws and regulations in the Indies
which prohibit foreign companies as
such from entering the colonies for
the development of mineral oils. On
the other hand, my government is very
greatly concerned when it becomes ap-
'NA ~ thoC CltC IuOHOpOIy OIL SuEn I4r-
reaching Importance in the development
of oil is about to be bestowed upon a
company in which foreign capital other
than American is so largely interested.
I'm this connection I desire most
earnestly to erect to your excellency's
attention the fact that American capi-
tai stands ready to assist in the deve]-
opment Of the Diambi fields and other
OIL deposits in the Netherlands Indies.
In conclusion, l. venture to say once
more that my government attaches the
highest Importance to the recognition
OF the principles Of reciprocity and
equal opportunity in the solution of the
on problem, as we'll as the extension to
Dutch law of the same privileges and
benefits which are granted to other for.
eign capital similarly organized under
the laws of the Netherlands.