862i.01/69

The Ambassador in France (Wallace) to the Secretary of State

No. 2205

Sir: Referring to the Department’s telegraphic instruction No. 103 February 20, 11 a.m. [p.m.], and my reply thereto No. 131, February 21, 8 p.m.,4 I have the honor to enclose herewith for your information, copies of my letters of February 21, 1921, to the President of the Council and the Secretary General of the League of Nations,5 conveying in accordance with your instructions a request that the Council postpone consideration and action with regard to the question of mandates, pending the receipt of a communication from you in the matter.

There is also enclosed copies of the replies from the President of the Council and Secretary General of the League dated February 22, 1921.4

I have [etc.]

Hugh C. Wallace
[Enclosure—Translation6]

The President of the Council of the League of Nations (Da Cunha) to the American Ambassador in France (Wallace)

Your Excellency: I have the honor to inform you that your letter of February 21st has reached me and that I have hastened to make its contents known to my colleagues on the Council of the League of Nations.

The Council will read with the greatest interest the communication which, as you have informed me, is to arrive shortly. In deference to your request, it will be careful to postpone any definite decision with regard to the draft mandates now under discussion until after the receipt of your communication. The draft mandates which are [Page 93] now on the agenda of the present Council meeting are those of types “A” (Asia Minor) and “B” (Central Africa).

Your Excellency is aware that the “C” mandate? (Pacific Islands and German West Africa) were finally decided upon and published more than two months ago. In fact, the Council, at its meeting on December 17, 1920, determined the degree of authority, control or administration to be exercised by the mandatories over these territories, thus giving effect to paragraph 8, article 22 of the Covenant.

I have [etc.]

Gastao da Cunha
  1. The latter not printed.
  2. Letters not printed.
  3. The latter not printed.
  4. File translation revised.