OIL WEALTH.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 November 1920, Page 5

OIL WEALTH.

I CONTROL OF MESOPOTAMIA. AMERICA DEMANDS A VOICE. By Telegraph.—Press .Assn.—Copyright. Received Nov. 2G, 10.25 p.m. Washington, Nov. 20.. The United States Government, in a Note to Britain dated November 20, says it does not propose to lie excluded from participation in the rights and privileges secured under fTie mandates provided in the treaties of peace. Furthermore, it expects to be heard regarding the terms of the mandates. The specific question discussed is the Mesopotamian petroleum fields. The United States takes issue with what is described as the British position that the mandate agreement and treaties are to he considered only by the States which are members of the League of Nations. The United States, an a participant in the war and a contributor to its successful conclusion, cannot consider any associated Powers, the smallest not less than itself, being debarred from the discussion of any of Jits consequences. It consistently urges that it is of the utmost importance to the future peace pf the world that alien territory transferred as a result jof the war should be administered in such a way as Iwould assure jequal treatment to the commerce aifd citizens of all nations. The United States requests that the draft manS&tes for Mesopotamia and Palestine be communicated for its consideration before their submission to the League. The fact cannot be ignored that the reported jesourees of Mesopotamia have interested public opinion in the United States, Britain, and other countries as a potential subject of economic strife. The United States finds difficulty in reconciling the special arrangements set forth in the so-called San Remo petroleum agreement between Britain and France with the British Government's statement tliat the petroleum resources of Mesopotamia and freedom of action in regard thereto will be secured to the future Arab State, as yet unorganised. The United States is at a loss to understand how to construe the provision in the San Rcmo agreement that any private petroleum company that may develop Mesopotamia fields will be under permanent British control.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.