The Washington herald., 1921-06-18
COUNCIL HOLDSUP
MANDATES UNTIL
AGREED TOBY U.S..
Count Ishii Anxious to
Have Yap Question
I Settled.
Especial Cable to The washington HsraId
and United Eevs.)


and United Hevs.)
GENEVA, June 1.-THE League
OF Nations Council which convened
here today has sent a note to the
allied powers informing them that
the league refuses to approve the
terms of the various mandates now
pending until the allies have
reached an agreement with the
United States on the mandates
which America has protested.
A copy of the note was handed
American Ambassador Wallace. The
action can be regarded as a con-
ciliatory step toward the United
States. first because America has
completely ignored the league, and
second. because Niscount Ishii. OF
Japan. is presiding at the present
sessions of the council and Japan is
anxious that the Yap question be
settled
Makes No Reply to Note.
The Harding policy to completely
ignore the league. as announced by
Amba ssador Harvey in London, was
regarded by members of the council
as rather apparent when the coun-
Gil convened for the purpose of dis
posing of the mandates.
1t was then announced that no
reply had been received from the
United States in response to the
note sent by the league in March.
inviting America to send a repre-
sentative to present the viewpoint
of the United States mandate ques-
tion.
The disposition Of the mandates
is regarded as an extremely press
ing matter, owing to the critical
situations developing in some of the
mandate territories. The British.
in Palestine and Mesopotamia, as
we'll as the French in Syria are
now obliged to maintain a virtual
military dictatorship pending the
approval of the mandate awards.
Meanwhile the local populations are
threatening revolution against the
military regime because they were
promised mandatory governme ts
two years ago.
Regard U. s. Position UntenabIe.
Many of the members Of the
council are understood to regard
the present position of the United
States as untenable. but at the same
time IT was the majority, and finally
the unanimous opinion. that moth
ing should be done until the indi-
vidual allied powers have reached
an agreement with America. 1t IL
pointed out that the United States
has den. anded that no decision on
mandates be taken without consult
ing Washington. but at the same
time Washington has ignored the
invitation to send a representative
here. In fact, however. that in.
formal direct discussions between
the United States and Japan are
undGstood to be under way un-
doubtedly Influenced the council and
was responsible for the decision
which was taken under the leader
ship of viscount Ishii.
Follows Wilson Policy.
Ishii was appointed by the league
assembly last December to draw up
a final report on the mandate qucs-
tion. He was in the midst OF read
ing this report to the council in
February when. as one Of the last
acts of the Wilson administration.
Secretary of State Colby sent a note
stating that the United States not
only protested against the Yap and
Mesopotamia decisions, but would
not recognize any mandate decisions
taken without consulting the United
States. Ishii's mandate report was
then postponed. until the present
session. One of the hrst asts OF
the Harding administration was the
announcement that Il would adhere
to the Wilson policy as to man.
dates, and there, under the decision
of the council today, the matter
must stand until the allies reach an
agreement with America.