The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1921-03-02
REFUSES
TOCONSIDERTHE
YAP QUESTION
Says in Note to u. S. Allied
Supreme Council Has
Already Settled 1t.
PRAISES u. S. INTEREST.
Believes Nation That Devised
Mandates Should Have Voice
in Assignments.


The League OF Nations is not con-
cerned with the ALLEGATION Of the
former German possessions in the
Pacific, which includes the Japaness
mandate for the group to which the
Island Of YNp belongs, the American
Government IL informed in the reply
OF the Council Of the League. to the
American note on the mandate uues-
ton.
The text Of the Councils reply was
made public here to-day That allo-
cation was made by the Supreme
Council OF tho Allies, the note points
out but the Council invites the
United States to be represented at
the meeting OF the Council In May
or June when tho other classes OF
mandates are to be taken up for final
decision.
The Council expresses satisfaction
in the interest shown by the United
states Government in the question
Of mandates, which the Council has
long felt TO be among the most inn
portant and also the most difficult"
1t adds:
THE council not only welcomes but
feels justified in claiming the SYM
pathy and support OF the Govern
ment which devised the scheme the
council is required to administer"
The note begins with acltnowledg,
ment Of the receipt OF Secretary
Colby's communication, summarizes
the American contentious and after
expressing the satisfaction OF the
council at the interest in the question
indicated by the note, continues:
The most fundamental contention
brought forward by the American
note Is that the approval OF the
United States Of America is essential
to the validity OF any determination
which may be reached respecting
mandates which have been or may DO
submitted 10 the judgment of the
Council.
1.-THE United States was one OF the
leading actors both in the war and in
the negotiations for peace. The rights
which it acquired are not likely to be
challenged in any quarter.
but the American Government will
itself recognize that the situation is
complicated by the fact that the
United States. for reasons which the
Council would be the last TO question.
has so far abstalned from ratitying
the peace treaty and has not taken
her seat on the Council of the League
Of Nations.
'The Council might easily have
dwelt on the controversial aspects OF
the American note, but this procedure
would III represent their true attitude.
They prefer to examine the subject
from the broad basis Of International
cooperation and friendship, in the be-
lief that this course will appeal to the
spirit OF justice OF the Government
and people OF the United states"
In referring 70 the postponement OF
tho consideration by the Council of
the mandate for the former Turkish
possessions, including Mesopotamia,
which would result in a delay in final
conclusions until the United States
had an opportunity TO express it's
views. The note, after inviting the
United States TO take part in the
discussions OF these mandates and the
African mandates, says:
"a problem so intricate and in
volved as that OF mandates can
hardly be handled by an interchange
OF formal noteA"
After pointing out that the Council
Is without the same liberty Of action
regarding the mandates for the Pa
clfic as in the case OF the other
types, tho note continues:
''The main American objection in
this case II Is understood from Your
Excellency's note, is TO the effeGt
by the Council in the mandate given
Japan, whereas Your Excellency
states that the United States has on
several occasions refused TO agree 10
the ALLEGATION OF this island to any
one state.
'Tho Council OF the League Of Ma
tions would remind Your Exceliency
that the ALLEGATION OF all inundated
territories Is a function OF the Su.
preme Council and not OF the Coun-
ell OF the League. The League II
concerned not with the ALLEGATION but
with the administration OF these ter
ritories.
III a misunderstanding exists as to
the ALLEGATION OF the Island OF zap,
that misunderstanding would seem to
be between the United States and the
pTincipal Allied Powers rather than
between the United States and the
League.
However, in view OF the American
contention. the Council OF the League
has FASTENED TO forward the Amerl.
, can note 10 the governments OF
France, Great Britain, Italy arc
, Japan.