Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-02-23
j. S. NOTE ON MANDATES
IS AS BOLT FROM BLUE
Ambassador Wnllucr's Notification
In League Of Nations Coun-
Gil Creates Surprise.
TENT OF NOTE is WITHHELD
America Will Insist Upon Equal
Opportunities for Citizens of All
of the Allied AMI Associated
Powers.
Nm NssocIntcl rrrss- |

| WASHINGTON. Feb. 22-Euuai OPP
| portunities for the citizens of all cf
| the allied and associated powers.
| whether members OF tine league of
nations OF not. in former enemy ter
| r!torics 10 he administered 10y the
allied governments under mandates.
is insisted upon in a note dispatched
by the state Department to coaaci
OF the league. now in session ut Paris.
The note went forward last night
to Ambassador Wallace. who is 10
present il TO the council tomorrow.
Its text was Withheld. but state De-
partment officers described IL today
as being virtually Identical with the
one on the same subject sen; "a the
British government last November by
Secretary Colby.
That note was couchcd in exceed
inCly firm language. In il Mr.. Colby
took issue with the British position
that mandate agreements and treaties
were 10 be considered only by states
members OF the league, and declared
tina; the United States. as Il contribu-
tor to the common victory in the
world war. could not consider. any
of the associated powers, the small
from participation in the rights
and privileges secured under the
mandates provided in the treaties OF
peace"
Fir>t Action by United states.
Initiation of this. the frs, action
10 De taken by the United states 10
the council OF the league. was ut the
suggestion OF one OF the allied
powers. understood 10 have been
Great Britain. The British Foreign
Giiice never has replied to Mr.. Colby's
note in which he asked that the
United States hc permitted to exam
Inc the draft mandates before their
submission 20 the league council for
approval Meantime. however. Great
Britain has sent the draft mandates
for McSopotamia and Palestine to the
council. and II is understood that it
was for this season that IL suggested
that the United States present its
views TO the council.
Action by the council on the man
dates had been expected. and it was
explained tina; it was on this ac-
count that the present administra-
tion decided 10 present its arguments
direct TO the council. despite the fact
that only little more than two
weeks remain before the new admin
!stration viii come into power.
Dispatches from Paris today said
that inde pendent OF the action OF the
American government, nsideratioH
OF the ma ndatcs governing Meso-
potamia, Palestine and Syria, had
been postponed until the April meet
ins OF The council. so tina; Winston
Churchill. tho recently appointed
British Secretary. for The Colonies,
could have al opportunity TO study
the questions involved
Time tn Determine Policy.
IL was said here tonight ;ha, this
"onld give the Harding ad.ninisira-
tton time in which TO study tn" qucs-
ton. and come to a decision - to
IL policy, w!th regard TO mandates.
The principal point at issue. b--
tween the United states and Great
Britain Is 10 the san Reno agree
nv1t between Great britain and
France. FOR the development ot OF!
resources il the mandate territories
3" i-e Near East Under Secretary
Day.S. " the state Department. mas
SAID tina; leading Republican Sena-
tors who ~" expected u have voice
p shaping policies OF me new admin
.s;ra,tD:, have approved The position
- zen ~ the Sta,c Department, on
ms Question