OIL CONCESSIONS

Evening Star, Issue 17922, 18 March 1922, Page 6

OIL CONCESSIONS

AMERICA’S CLAIM

Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright.

WASHINGTON, March 16. It is understood that Mr Hughes has despatched to the British Government a Note dealing with the question of American rights in Mesopotamia in regard to petroleum concessions, resuming the negotiations begun during the Wilson Administration. It is believed that tho Note was m roplv to Lord Curaon’a communication of February 28, 1921, which declared that a British, corporation had obtained a concession from the T urkish Government before j the war for the exploitation of all oil landa in Mesopotamia, and that, therefore, it was impossible for Britain to accede to the American contention that tho interests of tho United States should have an equal share in tho oil development in Mesopotamia, It is understood that Mr Hughes endorsed ex-Secretary _ of State Colby’s contention that the United States is entitled to equal rights. Mr Hughes also disputed thc_ validity of the Turkish petroleum concession.—A. andi N.Z. Cable.