New-York tribune., 1921-02-18
Davis Predicts
Harding Will
Back Oil Note
Britain Will Gain Nothing
by Delaying Reply Until
After March a, He Says;
So Assured by Leaders
No Difference on Issue
Question Is Merely One of
Protecting the Rights of
Americans, He Declares
BY Carter Field

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17.-The Har-
ding administration will pursue the
same policy with respect to demanding
equal opportunities for Americans in
all mandate territories as was laid
down in the Bainbridge Colby note to
the British Foreign Office in Novem-
Der. according to a statement made by
Norman Davis. under-Secretary of
State, to-day.
Mr.. Davis's statement was in COM
ment upon a report that the British
Foreign Office was delaying it's reply
to this note-which bore particularly
on Mesopotamia--until the new Admin
istration should be installed March 4.
This report was carried in cables from
London to-day.
The under-Secretary at once declared
that no point would be served for the
British Foreign Office by waiting, as
there was no doubt the new Admins
tration's policy would be precisely that
set forth in the Colby note. Asked how
he knew that the Harding Administra-
ton would favor the same course, Mr..
Davis said he had every reason to be-
lieve so because many Republican Sem
ators had assured him of their support
in this policy.
No Disagreement on Issue
It was merely a question of protect
ing American rights and insisting upon
the door of opportunity being kept open
to American citizens, Mr.. Davis pointed
out, and on that question there was no
disagreement
The Colby note was addressed to
Earl Curzon, as Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs of Great Britain, and
was handed to the Foreign Office on
November "a by Ambassador John w.
Davis. 1t was the third to be sent to
Great Britain on this subject.
While dealing particularly with the
distribution of the oil resources of
Mesopotamia, the American protest also
sets forth the right of the United
States, as one of the powers associated
in the victory over the Central Pow
ers, to be consulted as to the terms of
mandates and other decisions, the right
to make which accrued to the Allies az
result of their common victory.
Secretary Colby insists upon the ap-
plication of the principle of equality
of treatment of all nations, irrespec-
tive of the mandatory power, with
special reference to the petroleum re-
sources of the territories involved, and
protests against the exploitation of
these resources by any nation to the
discrimination of others.
Objects to League Test
Sharp issue is taken with the British
governments contention that the drafts
of the mandates for Mesopotamia and
Palestine have been prepared with q
view to securing equality of treatment
for the commerce and citizens of all
states (which are members of the
League of Nations" and that the terms
of the mandates can properly be dis
cussed only in the Council of the League
of Nations and by the signatories of
the covenant.
The American note stands firmly on
its contention that this government is
entitled to an equal voice with all
others in the question of mandates.
The note further asserts that the
United States "is undoubtedly one of
the powers directly interested in the
terms of the mandates, and l therefore
request that the draft mandate forms
be communicated to this government
for its consideration before their sub
mission to the Council of the league"
The note asserts that the "frankest
discussion" should be given to the
drafts of the mandates ''in order that
the fullest opportunity may be afforded
to consider their terms in relation to
the obligations assumed by the mandate
power, and the respective interests of
all governments which are or deem
themselves concerned or affected