Norwich bulletin., 1921-04-19
JAPAN FIRM IN DEFENSE ~ OF THE MANDATE or TAT

Washington, April 1S,-The- American and Japanese governments have adopted equally firm attituoes with respect to the status of the Pacific Island of Tap. The diplomatic exchanges between then bn the subject Is continuing. but thess to date were made public today both iu Washington and Tokio. They consist of two memorandas and three formal notes.
 Japan. in it's last communication, re- ceiYed here in the closing days of the Wilson administration. insisted that t had been awarded a mandzt for the island by the supreme council tPsris on May :, 1919. and that it could not agree with the American contention that ire spective of any award of mandate other nations should have free access 10 the island by the Supreme council at Paris on cables. r.. la. In replying to this note. Secretary Hughes on April 5 stated emphatically that the United States could not be bound by any action either of the su- oreme council CT of the league of na- tionss and that as no one had ever been
 -authoEized to surrender of cede''- the right of the United States in the Island the America neoyernfnent could not re coznize the anocations of the island. CT tne validity ot the mandate to Japan" l, The Japanese governGIent now hal this communication und5r consideration The governments -'-of -- Great Britain, Finance and Italy, also have before them similar communications. on the sub5eci dispatched- by Mr. Hughes at the same time that the note to Japan went forward Exchanges between the four allied gev- ernnients are 'undefstood>to be under way with View 10 reaching common co cord before replying.
 Meantime. however. France has seni q preliminary reply in which she states that the matter Is one fer the sup1ns council She will approach 1t with a view to finding a solution which will give | every satisfaction the United States. | The viewpoint of the Harding admin I lstration. as explsined today In officfal quarters. !s that the question of whether | the supreme council did actually award lthe island to Japan on May [. as contend red by that country. and disputed by Pres l ident Wilson and the state department. Is
 of secondary importance.
 The important point at issue, if fs su. phasized. is the recorsitiol. by the al- liied governments of the principle laid down by Mir. Hughes-that the ue1tse States. as enc of the principal allied and
 associated powerH has an equal right with. the others h the former overseas
 possessions of Germany and that these rights cannot be disposed of without the
 consent of the American government
 Administration officers believed that
 the soundness of this position win bs conceded by its former associates in the war. With this principle recognized. ii
 is believed the details as 10 inc Anericar ! e. rights can be worked out without grea;
 difficulty. -.. 5S Thus far there has been received il Washington no official inforniz ton iRdi.
 eating what position Japan win take fl lis reply to Mr. Hughes notes Press
 dispatches from rlrokio. today, however said the newspapers there seemed (, think that Japan would adopt d passiv, . attitude in dealing with the mandate is- , sue. sr, <
 Japan. 1t was pointed out here. sdaptet . a 'positiSe attitude win. respect to YaI in Rer last note, which wab couched il plain language The Imperial govern. nient said in order for the United State ] to maintain successfully its position thz the mandate for the island vas no
 awardedto Japan by the supreme ooun
 ycil. it' would have 10 prove not merel, ' that reservatiopns with resptct to. |
 were made by President Wilson. but sls : that his views were accepted by the coun q