Page:Paul Samuel Reinsch - Secret Diplomacy, How Far Can It Be Eliminated? - 1922.djvu/215



the Council of the League of Nations later dis- posed of the mandate for all of the North Pacific Islands. As this action was secret, it could not be known whether the American interest bearing on Yap Island had been safeguarded or not. It was stated as late as January 26, 1921, that the American Government was not in possession 'of the greater part of the minutes of the Peace Con- ference. Notwithstanding the protests of the United States, Japan based her claim to the North Pacific Islands on the secret treaties made during the war.

The secrecy of the peace conference, and the revelations before and during its sessions, con- cerning the secret treaties for the division of the spoils, produced a great disillusionment in the public mind. The fact that the United States though asked to make enormous sacrifices in the common cause had been kept in the dark concern- ing at least some of these treaties, and particu- larly of those which affected its own interest, did not inspire the American public with any confi- dence in the general conduct of affairs among the nations.

After the adjournment of the conference the American President and Government still contin- ued to take a part in the various attemp