The Washington times., 1921-04-18

nection with the peace negotiations.
I never abandoned or modified this
position in respect to the Island OF
Yap, and / did not agree on May T.
1919. or at any other time. that the
Island OF Yap should be Included In
the assignment of mandates TO
Japan.
".As a matter OF fact. all agree
ments arrived at regarding the as
alignment of mandates were. condi-
tional upon q subsequent agreement
being reached as to the specinc
terms OF the mandates, and further.
upon their acceptance by each OF
the principal allied and associated
powers. The consent Of the United
states is essential both as to as
signments of mandates and the
terms and provisions of the man
dates, after AGREEMENT as to their
assignment or ALLEGATION.
1.-The consent Of the United
States. as you know. has never been
given on either point. a. to the
Island of Yap.'"
Apart from the expressed pur-
pose of President Wilson in rela-
tion to the Island OF Yap, inasmuch
as the proceedings of the supreme
council on May Z, 1919. did not. and
in the nature of things could not,
have fnality, this Government Is
unable to perceive any ground for
the contention that II was the duty
OF this Government to make i'm
mediate protest with respect to the
so-called decision of May Z. 1919,
and certainly IL cannot be said that
An omission to do so operated as
IL
added, however, tha, when the mat
ter was brought to the attention
OF this Government in connection
with the conference on communica-
tions in October last, this Govern
ment informed 'he government of
Japan and other governments. (by
notes of November 8. 1920) that IT
was the understs nding Of this Gov
ernment that the Island Of zap was
not included in the action OF May
Z, 1919. Its position was sub
sequently stated at length.
"It Is cause OF regret to this
government, that after and despite
this protest, there should have been
any attempt TO pass upon drafts
OF mandates purporting to deal
with the Pacific islands, including
Yap, and that a mandate should
have been approved, or attempted
to be put into effect, which. while
purporting to be made in the name
of the United States, was without
the assent of the United States.
This government trusts that this
action, which II must assume was
taken under a Misrepresentation. will
be reconsidered.
IT. q sTANDS on RIGHTS.
I'm particular, as no treaty has
ever been concluded with the
United States relating to the Island
of Yap, and as no one has ever
been authorized to cede or surrend-
er the right or interest OF the
United States in the island, this Gov
ernment must insist that 1t has not
lost its right or interest as II ex-
listed prior to any action Of the
supreme council or OF the League
of Nations. and cannot recognize
the ALLEGATION of the island or the
validity of the mandate to Japan.
I'm this view, this Government
deems It to be unnecessary at this
time TO consider the terms of the
so-called c. mandates, or the dis
cussion with respect thereto.
This Government, as has been
clearly stated In previous commun-
ications, seeks no exclusive interest
in the Island of zap and has no
desire to secure any privileges
without having similar privileges
accorded to other powers, includ-
ing. of course. Japan. and relying
upon the sense of justice of the
government of Japan and Of the
governments of the other allied
and associated powers, this Gov
ernment looks with confidence to
a disposition of the matter where
by the just interests of all may be
properly conserved"