New-York tribune., 1921-03-03

ToU. S. Plea
In zap Case
Reply to American Pro-
test Says 1t Cannot Give
Aid and Suggests So
luton Among Allies

From The Tribune's Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, March 2. - The
Council of the League of Nations. in
effect, has notified the United States
that it cannot support the American
protest against the Japanese mandate
over the Island Of Yap, according to
the terms of a note from the league
Council, made public to-day by the
Department of State.
The note comments on the contention
in the American note that the United
States be consulted on the disposition
Of mandates and asserts that such a
position complcates the situation, in
asmuch as the United States has neither
ratified the peace treaty nor Joined
the League Of Nations. The league
comedies the right Of America to be
consulted regarding the disposition of
Class A and B mandates, those involv-
ing Mesopotamia and the former Cen
trail African colonies of Germany, and
it invites an American representative
to sit with the league at its next
meeting, in May or June, when these
matters will be discussed
The note declares that the league
cannot go behind its action of Decem-
ber I, at Geneva, when Japan's right
to zap was defined. 1t suggests that
America seek solution of the con-
troversy by dealing directly with the
principal Allied powers.
British Reply Withheld
The reply Of the British government
to the American protest against the
Mesopotamia mandate, which has been
received, was not made public and will
not be by the present Administration.
Both the zap and Mesopotamia prob
lens will be left for President Harding
and Secretary Of State Hughes to un-
ravel. Officials of the present Admin
istration will take no further steps in
the matter and will not attempt a re-
ply to either the Councils note or that
from Great Britain.
Under Secretary of State Davis an
nounced that no answers to the notes
would be made by the Wilson Admin
istration. He took the position that
the State Departments protest, dis
patched February u, was in the nature
of filing caveat to protect the gov
ernment's interests. He said the short
life of the present Administration did
not permit it to make another move in
the disputes.
Protect U. s. Interests
eve have taken the necessary steps
to protect the interests of the United
States," Mr. Davis said "and the mat
ter is now in position for the new
Administration to deal with effectively
in any manner which it sees fit"
When asked if the sending of an
American representative to the forth
coming meetings of the league would
have the effect of recognizing that
body. Mr.. Davis said this government
could not ignore the existence of the
league, notwithstanding that the
United States is not member He
favors the sending of a special repre-
sentative with full authority to deal
with the mandate matters to be con-
sidered.
Text of Councils Note
The full text of the Councils note
follows:
ITO the Secretary Of State of the
United States of America.
81 am directed by the Council of the
League Of Nations to acknowledge the
receipt of your communication Of Feb
ruary u on certain matters connected
with the mandates which, under the
provisions of the covenant, will define
the responsibilities and limit the pow
ors of the governments intrusted with
the administration of various terri
tories outside Europe formerly in the
possession of Germany or Turkey.
"The main points brought out in the
American note, if ! may be permitted
tp summarize them, are that the
United States must be consulted be-
fore any mandates are allotted or de-
fined and that the frankest discussion
from all pertinent points of view should
be encouraged. In the Class A man
dates exception is taken to the possible
limitation of commercial opportunity
as regards oil in Mesopotamia, and in
the Class c mandates to the ALLEGATION
OF the Island of Yap to Japan.
"The Council wishes to express its
deep satisfaction at the interest shown
by your government in this question,
which the Council has long felt to be
among the most important assigned to
VI na\