PACIFIC MANDATES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17964, 14 December 1921, Page 9

PACIFIC MANDATES.

! : wttERIOA'AND JAEaU \ !;■..' *'■ '"V; I% ' j ' ■ *■' \ ' i'' '■'' *' ' AGREEMENT REACHED. ,-YAP PROBLEM SETTLED. TERMS OP'CONVENTION. FULL CABLE RIGHTS. .' By Telesraph—Press Association— Copyright. (Received 8.9 p.m.) A. and N.2. WASHINGTON. Deo. 12. The Secretary of Slate, ,Mr. C. E. Hughes, made the Mowing announcement to-day:— The: United States and Japan have reached an agreement with respect to Yap, and the mandated islands north of the Equator, Negotiations have been in progress since June last, and the terms, were almost entirely agreed to before the mooting of the present conference. The terms are :— First.—lt is asreed that the United States shall h,ave free access to Yap on a footing of entire equality with'. Japan and any other nation in air that relates to the landing and operation of the existing Yap-Guam cable or any cable hereinafter laid by the United States or her nationals. Second.—lt is agreed that nationals of the United States be accorded the same rights and privileges with respect to radio-telegraphic service as to cables, provided that as long as Japan maintains on Yap an adequate wireless station co-operating effectively with tho' cables and other radio stations- in ships and on shore without discriminatory exactions or preferences exercise of the right to establish radio stations by the United States will be suspended. <

Mandate Terms Incorporated. Third.—lt is also agreed that the United States shall enjoy in relation to electrical communications the following rights, privileges and exemptions: Residence without restriction of rights, undisturbed enjoyment on a footing of entire equality of all property interests, no permit license to be required, each country to be free to operate both ends of the cables, no cable censorship, free exit and entrance of persons and property, no taxes or charges, no discriminatory police regulations. Fourth.—Japan agrees to . use her power of expropriation to secure to the United States needed . property and facilities. Fifth.—The United States consents to administration by Japan of the mandated islands north of the equator, subject to the above provisions with respect to Yap, also subject to the following conditions:— The United. States to have the benefits of the engagements entered into by Japan as set forth in the mandate,, particularly in regard to Articles 3 and 4, (Which provide for the prohibition of slave trade, forced labour, supply of liquor, military training of natives, and the establishment of military bases, and for control of traffic in arms and ammunition. ,

full Freedom for Missionaries. Respecting missionaries, it is agreed that Japatf.shall ensure complete freedom of c6hscience and free exercise of all forms of worship consonant with publio order and morality, mißsionarios to be free to enter, travel, reside, acquire property, erect: religious buildings and open schools, Japan to have the right to exercise such control as is' necessary for the maintenance of order.' Japan agrees that vested American- property rights be maintained and respected. It is agreed that, the existing treaties between the United States and Japan sbajl apply to the mandated islands. It is agreed that any modifications of the, mandate 1 shall be subject to the consent of the United States, and further, that Japan shall address to the United States a duplicate of the annual report on her administration of the mandate which is v due from; her to the League of Nations. )'; A formal convention; will be drawn up, and will be subject to ratification by the Senate. .', \ j The. of the Yap Convention; :maitfi»', ; p*ssibje :the\,BJgning, of the Pacific will! take place to-morrow Intoning^■ Alh&even British delegates will sign the treaty;: ...u ;i \ ' With', Britajn Mooted, ;■'-;•. In i JipaneW circles .this afternoon satisfaction was,expressed.at the settlement.of the i; Yapjquestiorj,Vwh%h is the result of mutual trust and Japan.and theiUmted States",,,■,;■' ..'%- ; i' ; ' '.? The,possibility' was .mentioned; to-night being: signed dealr 'irig; withX'ill ex-German cables •in the Atlantio and Pacific, perhaps not at. this conference, but soon. It is suggested that the .convention will be between Britain, the United States, Japan, France, and Italy; and that Holland will receive the cable between Yap and Menado, and Japan the Yap'-Sbanghai cable, which was diverted during the ,',w~af to the Japanese coast. ' .'..',, ' It : is • also probable that a convention will be signed shortly between Britain and the' United covering tie/mandated islands south of the Equator, .so that the provisions, of- the ] Yap Convention .a>e of special interest to Australia and New Zealand, inasmuch as it is to be expected that th\United-States will ask that rights and i privileges be accorded her in those islands similar to those'accorded'by Japan. I-i is understood that after signing the Pacific Treaty the Administration will lose noitime in submitting it to the Senate, as also the Yap Convention;