The New York herald., 1921-02-27
BALFOUR TO DRAFT
REPLY TO AMERICA
Council of the League to Act
After Discussion.
BIZ the Associated Press.

PARIS, Feb. 26.-The council of the
League OF Nations to-day approved the
terms of communique intended to clear
up rumors that the reply to the Ameri-
can note on mandates had been referred
to Mr. Balfour. The general terms Of
the reply, Il was explained. had been
considered in the council. but Mr.. Bal
four had been asked to make draft
only because he was more familiar with
the subject than the other members. The
communique reads:
"In order TO set at rest certain rumors
as to the reply OF the council to the
American note on mandates It may be
stated that the council has not yet for
maily considered the terms of the reply.
A preliminary discussion took place sew
eral days ago, when 1t was decided that
the general lines brought out should be
put together IN a preliminn = e to
be prepared by Mr.. Balio r..is pre-
liminary draft will be d.s-ussed by the
council early next week"
II has been virtually decided that con-
sidera tion Of both the series "A and the
series "B" mandates shall be postponed
may, IL 1t sees At. send a representative
10 confer with the league council regard
ing the points at issued. The difficulty
which presents itself lies In the series
&C" mandate TO Japan, including the
island OF zap, which the United States
has protested, this mandate having been
decided upon by the Supreme Council.
II appears impossible for the council
20 take any action regarding the allot-
- ~ lala arAu nd la
series of mandates unless the allied Gov
ernments consent to have the matter
taken out Of the hands OF the Supreme
Council.
Leon Bourgeois of France declared
that Switzerland struck n great blow at
the moral prestige of the league by re-
fusing right OF way across her territory
to the leagues forces which will insure
order during the wilma plebiscite.
DIR. Alphonse Dunant. the Swiss Min
lister in Paris had previously explained
to the Council that while Switzeria n d
greatly regretted being Obliged TO re-
fuse. stlil she could not grant the re-
quest without abandoning her neutrality.
He pointed out that Poland and Lithua-
MIA. the parties 20 the dispute had not
agreed upon the conditions OF the plebl-
scite arrangements and there was the
gravest menace Of hostile Bolshevik
action.
NJ. Bourgeois admitted the difficulties
Of the Swiss situation. but expressed the
opinion that Il was for the council 10
decide when the requisite conditions had
been fulfilled. instead of a member de-
Gliding for itself. He added that mem
bership In the league imposed oblign-
tions as we'll as conferred rights. and
hoped the Swiss representative would
convey 10 his Government the assurance
that the council understood the diffcul-
ties, but keenly felt the prejudice caused
the league by It's refusal.
NJ. Bourgeois suggested that when the
Swiss Federal Council reconsidered the
matter in the light OF his remarks the
cloud on the relations between Switzer-
| land and the League OF Nations would
| be dissipated. The council adjourned
final discussion OF the matter until next
| week.
| NJ Bourgeois then reverted TO the re-
quest OF the free city Of Danzig for au-
thorlzation to manufacture $4,000 ria es
for the Peruvian Government The coun-
! ell approved the recommendation by
viscount Ishii. Japan, that the request
be refused