Evening journal., 1921-04-18
JAP AN DEFIES
j. S. OVER zap
Ccontinued from First Page)

CONTINUED from First Page)
Of zap. which has created one Of the
most serious international issues Of
the day.
The correspondence today reveals
for the first time that not only has
Japan dehed the American protest
against the mandate over zap. but
that it also rejected summarily a
proposal by the United States thai
even II zap should be assigned
under mandate To Japan all other
powers should have free and unham-
pered access to the island for the
landing and operation OF cables"
The last japanese note 10 the
United States in the correspondence
is surprising for its sharpness OF
tone. II Is dated last February 26.
Il rips into the argument Of the pre-
ceding American note in what Is re-
garded as an almost sarcastic tone.
The last note Of the series. the
Hughes mandate note handed to the
Japanese foreign Office on April 3. is
similar 20 that TO Great Britain.
which was made public except FOR
the opening paragraph. This para
graph follows:
THE Government OF the United
States finds itself unable 10 agree
with the contention Of the japanese
Government that In order to main
tain the position Of the Government
of the United States with respect Go
the Island OF zap 1t is necessary for
this Government 20 prove not merely
the fact that the particular line Of
views stated at the meeting Of the
Supreme Council (referring to the
reservations made by President will
son at the Peace Conference against
the award of Yap TO Japan. but
also that the Supreme Council de-
cided In favor Of those views. II il is
meant that the United States could
be bound without its consent by the
action OF the Supreme Council. the
contention is deemed by this Gov
ernment TO be inadmissihle and on
the other hand. the United States
has never assented TO the mandate
purporting to embrace the island OF
Yap."
The American notes In the batch
OF correspondence made public today
only 10 Japan but TO all the other
principal allied powers.
The first note made public today
was one from former Secretary OF
State Colby, dated November Q. In
which It was pointed out that the
question OF the disposition OF zap by
the supreme council had come ur
for conference. Colby said IL was the
understanding OF this government
that zap was not included In the
award OF May Z. 1919, by the su.
preme council Of the former German
islands north OF the equator q
Japan, and that the question OF Var
was reserved until a future date 50
that an agreement could be reached
for its Observation-Disclosures as a cable
station.
The japanese reply dated Novem-
ber 10 state that the Japanese gov
ernment would not be able to con.
sent to any proposition which. re.
versing the decision of the supreme
council. would exclude the island OF
zap from the territory committed e
their charge"
The next note Is a long account oi
the American position sent by Act
ing Secretary OF State Norman II
Davis on December 6. This STATED
there would appear to be no diff
ference Of opinion with regard q
reservations made by Present VII
son and Mr.. Lansing with respect C
the island Of Yap during various dis
cussions OF the supfeme council and
the council OF foreign ministers al
the peace conference"
The note cites four separate dates
April p. 1919; April 80, 1919
May ! and May 6-on which Presi-
dent Wilson and Lansing served
notice Of the reservation that Nar
should not be included in the Pacific
Islands TO be awarded Japan as a
mandatory.
There is attached" the note de-
clares, las an appendix to the min
utes OF the meeting Of May Z a
memorandum which obviously pur-
subsidiary companies have devote,
much time 10 the 12-hour day ques
ton, we have not been able to reacl
] a conclusion. IL is our endeavor an,