ISLAND OF YAP

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 92, 19 April 1921, Page 7

ISLAND OF YAP

PUBLICATION GF NOTES

DISPUTE BETWEEN JAPAN AND

THE UNITKD STATES

INTERNATIONALISATION OF THE

TERRITORY. (BHITIj,!) PRESS ASSOCIATION-—CPfJMSBT.) (AUSTRALIAN • ffBW ZBALAIfI) CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received April 19, 9.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, 18th April, The State Department has published the five Notes which have passed between the United States and Japan regarding Yap. The first Note was sent to Japan on 9th November last, and stated that the United States' 1 understanding Wjis that Yap was not included in the Supreme Council's award of exGerraan islands north of the Equator to Japan, and that the Yap question was reserved until a further date, so that agreement could be reached for the internationalisation of the cable station. Japan .replied that she was unable to consent to qny proposition excluding Yap from the territory committed to its charge by the Supreme Council. The next American Note stated that there appeared to be no difference of opinion regarding the reservations wjien Mr. Lansing made demands respecting Yap at the Paris Conference. Th,e Note cited four dates, on which Mr. Wilson and Mr. Lansing served, notice to the Council that Yap should not be included in the mandate award to Japan, The Note declared that the United States could not agree to Yap being included in any agreement of the Supreme Counoil, but even assuming that Yap iyap inoluded in the Japanese mandate, it was inconceivable that other Powers should not have free and, unhampered access to the island for landing and the operation of cables.

Japan replied that as the Japanese delegates were not present at the Council meetings referred to, the Government had no means of ascertaining what views the American delegates expressed, but, assuming that Mr. Wilson and Mr. Lansing had stated that Yap should be internationalised, Japan contends that the United States position is insupportable unless it proves that the Supreme Counoil accepted eueh recommendations and decided to esnlude Yap from the territory assigned to Japan. The last United States Note on the sth April was similar to that Eent to Britain, but adding that the United States was unable to agree to Japan's last-mentioned contention.

TOKIQ, 17th April. Count Hayashi, Councillor to the Foreign Office, is quoted as saying that President Harding can hardly ha,ve considered the possible consequences of his attitude regarding the Yap mandate, The raising of the question makes it impossible for Japan to carry oat plans under way to withdraw naval administration and substitute civil administration throughout the mandate territory. Nothing is certain regarding the; Entente attitude, but whatever .decision is reached ho hoped Japan would not acaept it unless it favoured the stand taken by her.