THE LEAGUE

Grey River Argus, 27 November 1920, Page 3

THE LEAGUE

THE OIL HUNTERS

AMERICA INTERVENES.

OVER MESOPOTAMIA.

(Reed. November 26, at 11 p.m.) WASHINGTON, November 2v>. The United -States Government, in a. Note to Brifain dated 20th November, says: "America does not propose to be excluded from participation in the rights and privileges secured under* the mandates, and provided for in the Treaties' of Peace. Furthermore, it expects to be heard regarding the terms of the mandates." In the Note a specific question is discussed, viz*;, the Mesopotamian petroleum fields. The United States takes issue with what is described as "the British position that tho mandates, agreements, and treaties are to be considered only by the States which are members of the League of Nations.'' The United States, as a participant in th^ war,; and as a contributor to its successful conclusion, says it cannot consider any of the associated Powers, the smallest not less than itself, being debarred from the discussion of any of the war's consequences; It consistently urges that it is of the utmost importance to the future peace of the world that any alien territory transferred as a- result of the war should be administered in such a' way as would assure equal treatment for the commerce and the citizens of all i nations. ] The United States requests that a draft of the mandate for Mesopotamia and for Palestine be communicated for its consideration before their submission to the League. The Note says: "The fact cannot be ignored that the reported resources 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 that "the petroleum resources of Mesopotamia and freedom of action in regard thereto, wili 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 Remo agreement, that "any private petroleum company that may develop Mesopotamia fields will be under permanent British control." „ - . _