Lord Milner, replying, said that, when the question of the disposal of the ex-German Colonies arose, there was very strong opposition in Australia, New Zealand and South 4 to mandating territories in their immediate neighbourhood.
The Dominions had shown very good reasons, Lord Milner said, why contiguous territories should simply be incorporated with them. The only point on which everybody was agreed was the justification of depriving Germany of these territories, because of the manner in which the natives had been treated. The Dominions replied that if the Allies were only concerned with the proper treatment of natives they were quite willing to accept the mandate to that extent, There was no technicality involved in the arrangement, pro-seeded the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Southwest Africa were deliberately handed over. to the mandatories, with provisions clearly drawn, Their sovereignty was unlimited, except regarding the protection of natives, Lord Milner declared that the questions regarding Nauru Island would never have arisen, if a difference had not existed between Australia and New Zealand regarding which should be the mandatory.
The Nauru Island Agreement Bill passed the second reading.—Reuter.
American Demand for Oil Washington, Ju'y 29.
The State Department has made representations to Great Britain with a view to securing equal opportunities for American citizens in the development of oilfields in mandated countries, including Mesopotamia. The United States Government are secking information regarding the Anglo-French ai! agreements, especially the prewar agreement, and the extent of Governmental control of oilfields.
It is understood that the United States Government holds that the war-time lutey-Allied system of rationing raw materials is no longer necessary and that ordinary business rules should—prevail.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.