New-York tribune., 1921-03-03
Council Deaf
TOU. S. Plea
In Yap Case

LIN zap Case
(Contnusd from page onc)
the league. Undoubtedly. also, it is
one of the most difficult, and the Coun-
ell not only welcomes but feels JUS
titled in claiming the sympathy and
support of the government which de-
vised the scheme which the Council is
required to administer.
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 the man
dates which have been or may be sub
mltted to the judgment of the Council.
The United States was one Of the lead
ing 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
lar abstained from ratifying 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 Ill represent its true attitude.
1t prefers to examine the subject
from the broad basis of international
cooperation and friendship, in the be-
spirit of justice of the government and
peOnle of the limited States
"The Council has taken several i'm
portant decisions with regard to man
dates it confidently hopes will COM
mend themselves to the American gov
ernment.
Await American Views
"The Council had already determined
on February 21, before the receipt of
the American note, to postpone the
consideration of Glass A mandates for
| former Turkish possessions, including
Mesopotama. No conclusions will
therefore, be reached with regard to
/ Glass A mandates until the United
! States government has had an oppor-
tunity TO express it's views.
"The Council had expected to ap-
prove finally at the session now being
held the Glass B mandates for the
former central African colonies of
Germany
ain view OF the desire expressed BY
the United States, the Council, how
ever, is deferrng its consideration OF
these mandates until its next session
which will probably take place in May
or June. 1t Is hoped that the delay
will not hamper the administrative
progress of these territories
The Council invites the United
States to take part in the discussions
at ats Forthcoming meeting, when the
final decisions as to the Glass A and
Glass mandates will, it is hoped, be
taken. A problem so intricate and in
volved as that of the mandates car
hardly be handled by the Interchange
OF formal notes. 1t can only be salts.
factorily solved by personal contact
and by direct exchange Of opinion
"Not only do such direct negotiations
which correspond to the true spirit OF
the League of Nations effect an in.
crease of freedom, fexibility and speed
but they create a spirit Of mutual gooc
Will and cooperation among people
meeting around the same table.
Function of Supreme Council
"Regarding the third type Of man.
dates, the Glass G group Of former
German possessions in South Afric:
and the Pacific, the Council has mo-
the advantage Of the same liberty o.
action as in the Glass A and Glass I
types. The Class c mandates were
defined by the Council at its meeting
in Geneva December II, 1920 Thu
main American objection in this case
it is understood from your excellency'
note, is to the effect that the Islan(
Of zap was included by the Council il
: the mandate given to Japan, whereas
your excellency states that the United
States has on several occasions refused
5 10 agree to the ALLEGATION of this islanS
to any one state.
, "1'hc League Of Nations Council
would remind your excellency that tn,
;; ALLEGATION Of all the mandated terri
tories is function of the Suprem,
: Council and not of the Council Of tn,
league. The league is concerned no
l with the allocatlon. but with the ad
mlMstratlon of these territories. Hav
ing been notified in the name of tn,
Allied and associated powers that al
the islands north of the equator ha,
, been allocated TO Japan. the Council
OF the league merely fulfilled its re
sponsibility Of defining the terms o
the mandate
Consequently, if misunderstood
: ing exists as to the ALLEGATION of tn
! Island of Yap that misunderstanding,
= would seem to be between the prin
- cipal Allled powers rather than betwee
the United States and the league. How
: ever. in view of the American conten
' tlon the Council of the league ha
hastened TO forward the American not
: to the governments of France, Grea
. Britain, Italy and Japan.
: The Council hopes that explanation
viii prove satisfactory to the Unite
n States government and that reciproca
i good will will find solution in hAr
mony with the generous spirit whicl
inspired the people of the mandate,
"GASTAO DA CUNHA.
sldent Of the Council of the Leaeu
J of Nations.
dated Paris, March 1, 1921
L r1