The Washington times., 1921-04-07

my attention. had on several oc-
casions prior to the date mentioned
made specific reservations regard
Ing the Island of zap and had taken
the position that II should not
Do assigned under mandate to
any one power. but should be
internationalixed for cable pur-
poses. I assumed that this position
would be only considered In connec-
tion with the settlement Of the
cable question and that II, thsref6re,
was no longer q matter for constd-
GRAFTON In connection with the peace
negotiations. ! never abandoned or
modified this position in respect to
the Island OF Yap.' and I did not
agree on May z. 1919. or at any
other time, that the Islaed Of Yap
should be included in the assign
ment of mandates to Japan.
U. 8. CONSENT ESSENTIAL.
"As q matter Of fact. all agree
ments arrived at regarding the as
signment OF mandates were condi-
tional upon q subsequent agreement
being reached as to tho specific
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 assign
ments of mandates and the terms
and provisions OF the mandates.
after agreement as to their assign
ment or ALLEGATION.
THE consent OF the United States,
As you know. has never been given
on either point. as to the Island
of zap"
Apart from the expressed purpose
OF President Wilson In relation to
the Island OF zap. inasmuch as the
proceedings of the supreme council
on May 7, 1919. did not and in the
nature of things could not have
nnality, this Government Is unable
to perceive any ground for tho con-
tention that II was the duty of this
Government to make immediate pro-
test with respect to the so-called
decision of May Z, 1919. and GER
tainly 1t cannot be said that an
omission to do 30 operated as a ces-
sion OF it's rights. 1t may be added,
however, that when the matter was
brought to the attention Of this
Government in connection with the
conference on communications In
October last. this Government in
and other governments (by notes
the understanding Of this Govern
ment that the Island of Yap was
not included In tho action Of May 7,
1919. Its position was subsequently,
stated at length.
RECONSIDERATION EXPECTED.
1t 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 islanda. in
cluding zap. and that a mandate
should have been approved. or at
tempted to be put into effect,
which. while purportins to be
made In the name of the United
States, was without the assent of
tho United States This Govern
mept trusts that this action. which
1t must assume was taken under a
nisapprehension, viii be recon
sidered-
In 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
2utHoTlLc0 70 Ccue OF burreuuer INC
right or interest OF the United
States in the island. this Govern
ment must insist that II has not
lost its right or interest as IL ex-
listed prior to any action Of the
Supreme Council or of tho League
of Nations, and cannot recognize
the ALLEGATION of the island or the
validity Of the mandate to Japan
In this view. this Government
deems 1t 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 COM
munications. seeks no exclusive in
terest in the Island of Yap and
has no desire to secure any priv
ileges without having similar priv
ileges accorded to other powers, in
cludin9. Of course, Japan. and re-
lying upon ths sense of Justice OF
the governments Of the other. al
lies and associated powers, this
Government looks with confidence
to . disposition of the matter
whereby the just interests OF all
may be properly conserved