THE MANDATES.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 April 1921, Page 5

THE MANDATES.

CONTROL OF MESOPOTAMIA. DISPUTE OVER OIL RIGHTS. UNITED STATES’ CLAIMS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received April 6, 5.5 p.m. London, April 5. A White Paper has been issued containing correspondence between Britain and the United States regarding the economic rights of the mandated districts, particularly Palestine and Mesopotamia. The United States alleged that its oil interests were suffering and Lord Curzon replied that no pipe lines were laid in Mesopotamia; the only work done had been for purely military purposes. It was untrue that Britain utilised the war in order to prepare for the exclusive control of the oil reserves. Lord Curzon points out that the United States herself controls eighty per cent, of the world’s oil. He adds that the question of the mandate can only be properly discussed by the signatories to the covenant. Mr. Bainbridge Colby (who was Secretary of State in the Wilson Administration) replied that he had received most of Lord Curzon’s statements with satisfaction, but he declared that the United States was a participant in the war, and can rightly discuss after.war problems without being a signatory to the covenant. —Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn. NEW NOTE FROM AMERICA. ! FURTHER PROTESTS MADE. YAP AND MESOPOTAMIA. Received April 6, 5.5 p.m. Washington, April 5. ■ The United Press learns that the State Department has sent to Britain, France, Japan, and possibly Italy, a new Note protesting against their attitude regarding the mandated territories. It is understood the Note strongly presents the United States’ opinion concerning Yap, and protests against the San Remo agreement between Britain and France regarding the division of the Mesopotamian oil supplies.

The Note declares that the United States, through ex-President "Wilson, never, definitely or tacitly assented to the inclusion of Yap in the Japanese mandate, and also that Britain’s and France’s action regarding* Mesopotamia violated the spirit of the mandate principle.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.