The Washington herald., 1921-03-03
NOTE
z INVITES u. s. TO
ENTER PARLEY
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.

49, ae1 w.
friendship. In the belief that this
course will appeal to the spirit of
justice OF the government and peo-
pie OF the United States.
The council has taken several
important decisions with regard to
mandates which It confidently hopes
viii commend themselves to the
American government.
Postpones Action.
The council had already deter
mined on February 21. before the
receipt Of the American note, to
postpone the consideration Of the
"A mandates for, former Turkish
possessions. including Mesopotf mia.
No conclusions will therefore be
reached with regard to "A" man
dates until the United States gov
ernment has had an opportunity to
express its views.
The council had expected to ap-
prove finally at the session now be-
ing held the 'B" mandates for the
former Central African Colonies for
Germany.
Action is Deferred.
In view OF the desire expressed
by the United States the council Is
however deferriug its consideration
OF these mandates until its next ses-
sion which will probably take place
In May or June. 1t is hoped that
the delay will not hamper the ad-
ministrative progress Of these ter
ritories.
The council invites the United
states to take part in the discus
sions at its forthcoming meeting
when the final decisions as to the
"A and "B" mandates will, ii is
hoped. be taken. A problem so in
tricate and involved as that of the
mandates can hardly be handled by
the Interchange of formal notes. It
can only be satisfactorily solved by
personal contact and by direct ex-
change Of opinion.
Not only do such direct negotia-
tions which correspond to the true
spirit Of the league OF nations ef-
feet an increase of freedom. fexi-
bility and speed but they create a
spirit Of mutual good will and CO.
operation among people meeting
around the same table.
Regarding the third type of man.
dates. the &C" group OF former Ger
man possessions in South Africa
and the Pacific, the council has not
the advantage of the same liberty
OF action as in the "A and "B" types
The c. mandates were defined by the
council at its meeting in Geneva on
December II. 1890. The main Amer
lean objection in this case II is un-
derstood from your Excellencys
note is TO the effect that the Island
OF Yap was included by the council
in the mandate given to Japan
whereas your Excellency states that
the United States has on several
occasions refused to agree TO the
ALLEGATION OF this island to any one
State.
The league of nations council
would remind your Excellency that
the ALLEGATION of all the mandated
territories is function of the Su-
preme Council and not OF the coun-
Gil of the league. The league is
concerned not with the ALLEGATION
but with the administration of these
territories. Having been notified in
the name OF the allied and associated
powers that all the islands north
OF the Equator had been allocated
to Japan, the council of the league
merely fulfilled its responsibility Of
defining the terms OF the mandate
Consequently. IL a misunderstood
ing exists as to the ALLEGATION of
the Island OF Yap, that misunder-
standing would seem to be between
the principal allied powers rather
than between the United States and
the league. However. in view of
the American contention the coun-
ell OF the league has hastened to
forward the American note TO the
governments of France, Great Brit
ain, Italy and Japan.
The council hopes that explana-
tions will prove satisfactory TO the
United States government and that
reciprocal good will will find a So
luton in harmony with the generous
spirit which inspired the prime pie
of. the mandates.
(Signed) 'GASTAO DA CUNHA.
President of the Council Of the
League of Nations.
Paris, March /. 1921"