The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1921-02-23
AMERICAN NEWS ON
MANDATES is
GIVEN
TO COUNCIL OF LEAGUE OF Ma
~ TIONS-FIRST TIME UNITED
STATES HAS DEALT DIRECT
LY WITH LEAGUE-NATION
MUST HAVE EQUAL RIGHTS
IN MANDATORY TERRITORY

Washington, Feb. 22.-The Am
erican government has communica-
ted directly to the League of Ma
tions council it's views with regard
to mandates as set forth in the note
sent by Secretary Colby>to the \Bri-
tish government last November, it
was announced today at the State
Department.
Acting on an official intimation
that since the council already had
taken action on the question of
mandates, the opinion expressed in
MIR. Colby's note to Lord Curzon,
the British secretary of state for
foreign affairs, should be conveyed
to the council, communication
that was described as practically a
duplicate Of that note was dis
patched to Paris last night. \ ii
While no reply has been received
from Great Britain it has been un-
officially stated that the British gov
ernment was preparing an answer
that would go far towards satisfying
the American contentious that equal
opportunities hnust be provided for
the citizens of all countries in all
mandate territories. 1t has been,
suggested that Sir Auckland, who
returned to the United States yes
terday after consultation with the
foreign office in London, had been
empowered to convey the ideas of
his government on the subject. Off,
cials of the Department declined to
say from what quarter the intima-
ton came that the question should
be taken directly to the league, but
it was believed it came from Great
Britain and that the returning Bri-
ish ambassador bore the message.
Americas First Action
Communications have been re
ceived by the department from the
council and certain amount of cor
respondence has followed, but this
is the first time the United States
initiated any action before that
body. Officials insisted that it was
not TO be taken as an indication
that the United States was to be-
come involved in controversies of
the league, iout rather as manifes-
tation of the determination of the
United States to insist upon its
rights even though it is not a MEM
Der of the league.
In his note to Lord Curzon, Sec
retary Colby said the United States
did not propose to be excluded from
in the rights and
secured under mandates
provided in the treaties of peace and
it expected to be heard regarding
the terms Of those mandates before
they were put into force.
This note was in reply to one from
Great Britain under date of last
August 9 and which dealt with the
of the principles of
of treatment to the terrific
ries of the Near East to be placed
under British mandate. The Ameri-
can government took issue with
what was described as the British.
position that mandate agreements
and treaties were to be considered
only by state members Of the league
of nations.
Mr.. Colby, said that the United
States, as participant of the world
war, "and a contributor to its sue
cessful issue, cannot consider any of
the associated powers, the smallest
not less than itself debarred from
discussion of any of its conse-
quences, or from participation in the
rights and privileges secured under
the mandates provided in the trea-
ties of peace"