The New York herald., 1921-02-23
AMERICA COMBATS
STAND OF BRITISH
Island of zap and MesOpotamia
i'm View in L. s. Note to
League of Nations.
EXPLOITATION IS DECRIED
L. S. as Contributor TO War
Victory Insists on.Its Rights
Regarding Mandates.
Special Despatch 70 TIE NEW YORK HEsALr
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. C., Feb. ,2.

Washington, ID. C.. Feb. .2.
The United States Government has
asserted it's right to participate in any
disposition of mandates arising under
the covenant of the League of Ma
tions. Secretary of State Colby said
to-day a note has been despatched TO
the President II the Council of the
League of Nations, now meeting in
Paris. which expresses Americas
rights and privileges in all arrange
ments growing out OF the settlement
of the war. 1t is one of the most
ernment to the allied nations. and
places the United States in direct
opposition to the arrangements being
made in the after war settlements.
State Department officials recog-
nize that the present Administration
has little influence or power to con-
duct diplomatic negotiations for the
United States. The purpose of the
note is to clear the boards for the in
coming Administration of President
elect Harding and to add consistency
TO the Administration of President
Wilson
Secretary Colbys note is reaffirma-
ton OF the principles expressed in
the note he had previously addressed
TO Earl Curzon. British Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs. in regard to
the mandate for Mesopotamia. In
substance the note announces to the
allied Powers that the Government Of
the United States will refuse TO recog
nize any mandate settlements which
do not take the interests of the United
States into consideration.
This latest note of the Wilson Ad-
ministration takes into consideration
the whole field Of mandate distributions,
including that which ascribes to Japan
the islands OF the Pacific north OF the
equator together with the Island Of zap
II places the United states in an atti-
tude Of definite opposition TO the dis
tributlon OF the spoils of war proposed
by the council, which does not recognize
the American theory Of mandates. This
American ideal of mandates insists that
mandate territory shall be administered
on an international basis. which shall
deny TO the Power holding the mandate
the right TO exploit mandate territory
for It's own benefit.
The attitude of the American Govern
ton which Japan has taken In opposing
the Observation-Disclosures Of the Island OF
Yap as a cable station. and TO the
British theory that the oil developments
OF Mesopotamia and Persia shall be re-
strIcted 20 British nationals.
The official description OF the note
suggests that II IL "a complete state
ment OF American policy respecting man
dates" II sets forth the demand of
this Government to receive copies of
mandate forms before submission 20 the
council OF the League OF Nations and
70 participate in any and all discussions
relative to the creation Of mandate
forms
The principle is laid down Of equal
opportunities for the citizens Of all
allied and associated Posers. whether
members OF the League of Nations or
not In former enemy territories TO b.
administered by the allied Governments
under mandates.
The note is timed TO accord with re-
ports that British influence has broken
down in Persia and that the allied
Governments have been compelled TO
admit the necessity Of revision Of the
treaty OF Sevres dealing with Turkish
nationalism n Is realized also that
the question of American attitude to-
ward German reparation Is involved In
the militant position taken by the State
Department