Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-04-19

TO udte were mace PUBIC MO
Toxic. They consist of two men
Japan, in it's last communication, rex
ceived here in the closing days of the
Wilson administration, insisted that it
had been awarded a mandate for the
island by the supreme council at Paris
on May Z, 1919, and that it could not
agree with the American contention
that irrespective of any award of man.
date other nations should have free
access to the island for the landing
and operation of cables.
Denies Coupcirs Right.
In replying to this note. Secretary
Hughes on April 5. stated emphatically
that the United States could not be
bound by any action either of the
supreme council or of the League Of
Nations and that as no one had ever
been authorized to surrender or cede"
the right of the United States in the
island the American government could
not recognize the ALLEGATION of the
island or the validity of the mandate to
JAPAN"
The japanese government now has
this communication under considera-
ton. The governments of Great Bri-
tain. France, ard Italy also have be-
fore them similar communications on
the subject dispatched by Mr.. Hughes
at the same time that the note to
Japan went forward. Exchanges be-
tween the four allied governments are
understood to be under way with q
hn-
fore replying.
France Seeks Solution.
Meantime, however, France has sent
a preliminary reply in which she states
that the matter is one for the supreme
council to consider at it's next meeting
in May and that when it comes up, she
will approach it with view to finding
a solution which will give every salts
faction to the United States.
The" viewpoint Of the Harding ad
ministration, as explained Monday in
official quarters, is that the question
of whether the supreme council did
actually award the island to Japan on
May Z, as contended by that country
and disputed by President Wilson and
the state department, is of secondary
Importance.
U. S. Position Sound
The important point at issue. it is
emphasized, is the recognition by the
allied governments of the principle laid
down by Mr.. Hughes-that the United
States. as one of the principal allies
and associated powers, has an equal
right with the others in the former
overseas possessions of Germany and
those rights cannot be disposed of
without consent of the American gov
ernment.
Administration officers believe that |
the soundness of this position would be |
conceded by it's former associates in
the war. With this principle recog-
nized it is believed the details as to
the American rights can be worked out |
without great difficulty.
Hints Bad Faith.
Thus far there has been received in |
Washington no official information in |
d;eating what position Japan will take |
in its reply to Mr.. Hughes note. Press
from Toxic Monday. how !
ever. said the newspapers there seemed
to think Japan would adopt passive |
attitude in dealing with the mandate |
issue.
.It must also be remembered" Jan
mn saws. that if decision in favor
of the exclusion of the island Of Yap-
a question of grave concern to Japan
and one on which the Japanese dele
CATION invariably maintained a firm
attitude--had really been made, as it
is implied by the agreement OF the |
United States government. at the meet
ing of (the supreme counciD May Z.
1019) Mt which Japan was not repre-
sented it could not but have been re-
garded as an act OF entirely bad falth.
Americas Viewpoint.
II was to this note that Secretary
Hughes replied April 8. at the same
time sending similar notes to the gov
ernments of Great Britain. France |
and Italy. He declared that the United
States was unable to agree with Jap
ans contention that in order to main
tain it's position it would have ito
prove" not only that President Wilson
made reservations against Zap, but
also that the supreme council adopted
those views.
CAS- no treaty has every been con-
cluded with the United States relating
to the island Of YAp. Mr.. Hughes
said. ''and as no one has ever been
authorized to ccde or surrender the
right or interest of the United States
in the island, this government must
insist that it has not lost its right or
interest as it existed prior to any ac-
ton of the supreme council or of the
League Of Nations. and cannot rec
ognize the ALLEGATION of the island or
(Continusd on Page Two)