The Washington herald., 1921-02-25

OF tne Couucli Ot the League W
Nations.--Gentleme
The government Of the United
States has received information
that the council of the league Of
nations at its meeting. which is
to be held in Paris on this date,
proposes to consider at length the
subject of mandates, including
their terms, provisions and alloca-
tion, and accordingly take this op-
portunity to deliver to the coun-
Gil of the league of nations a copy
of its note addressed under date
of November 20, 1920. to His Ex-
cellency Lord Curzon of Kedles-
ton. the British secretary of state
for foreign affairs, in which the
views of the United States are
quite fully set forth regarding the
nature of the responsibilities of
mandatory powers.
The attention of the council of
the league of nations is par
ticularly invited to the request
therein made on behalf of this
government that the draft man
date forms intended to be sub
mitted to the league of nations
be communicated to this govern
ment for its consideration before
submission to the council Of the
league in order that the council
might thus have before IL an ex-
preston of the opinion of the
government Of the United States
- - H. Nna
and a clear indication of the basis
upon which the approval Of this
government. which is essential to
the validity of any determine
tions which may be reached,
might be anticipated and re-
ceived.
EstablishinE New Prehciple.
1t was Furthermore stated in
said note that the establishmen Mt
of the mandate principle, a new
principle i'm international rela-
tions and one in which the pub
lie opinion of the world Is taking
special interest, would seem to
require the, frankest discussion
from all pertinent points of view.
and the opinion was expressed
that suitable publicity should be
given to the drafts OF mandates
which IL is the intention to sub
init to the council in order that
the fullest opportunity might be
afforded to consider their terms
in relation to the obligations as
sumed by the mandatory powers
and the respective interests of all
governments who deem them
selves concerned or affected.
A copy of this note was trans
mitted to the governments Of
France and Italy requesting an
interpretation by each govern
ment of the provisions of the
agreement between Great Britain,
Italy and France signed at Sevres
on August 10, 1890, relating to
the creation of spheres of special
interest in Anatolia, in the light
of this governments note to the
British government of November
20, 1920.
A reply has thus far been re-
ceived only from the French gov
ernment. in which attention is di-
rected to Article Y of the So
called Seyres treaty, which-pro-
vides, in favor of nationals OF
third powers, for all economic
purposes, free access to the So
called zones of special interest.
ii.
This government is also in re-
ceipt Of information that the
council of the league of nations,
at its meeting at Geneva on De-
cember IL last, approved among
other mandates a mandate to
Japan embracing "all the former
German islands situated in the
Pacific Ocean and lying north OF
the Equator"
Contradicts Mandate Test.
The text of this mandate to
Japan which was received by this
government and which, according
to available Information, was ap-
proved by the council, contains
the following statement:
whereas the, principal allied
and associated powers agreed
that in accordance with article
xxi. part I, covenant of the
league of nations) of the said
treaty. mandate should be con-
ferred upon his majesty the en-
peror of japan to administer the
said islands. and have proposed
that the mandate should be form
ulated In the following. terms"
etc.
The government of the United
states takes this opportunity, re-
specfully and in the most friend
ly spirit, to submit to the presi-
dent and members of the council
or the league, that the statement
above quoted Is incorrect and is
not an accurate recital of the
fact. On the contrary, the United
states which is distinctly included |
in the very definite and constant
ly used descriptive phrase "the |
principal allied and associated |
powers" has not agreed to the |
terms or provisions of the man.
date which is embodied in this |
text. nor has IT agreed that a
mandate should be conferred |
upon Japan covering all the
former German islands situated
in the Pacific Ocean and lying
north of the Equator.
Yap Not Included.
The United States has never
given its consent to the inclusion |
or the Island of Yap in any pro-
posed mandate to Japan, but, on
the other hand. at Ithe time of |
the discussion of a mandate COW
ering the former German islands
in the Pacific north of the Eaua-
tor, and in the course of said dis
cussion. President Wilson, acting
on behalf of this government, was
particular to stipulate that the
question of the disposition Of the
Island of Yap should be reserved
for future consideration.