The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-11-22
DISCUSS MANDATE OF AMERICA OVER
 NEW ARMENIA

Erivan, Capital Armenian Republic, Nov. 21-The Prime Minister of the republic, M. Khatitan, today received the correspondent of The Associated Press and talked freely concerning the proposal of a United Sttates man date for Armenia.
 ''If we manage to live through the winter and receive the recognition of the Allies, together with the help of America" said the Prime Minister. then other Armenians scattered the world over will come to us and we shall make our republic a prosperous one.
 Tt is now being proposed, I hear, to rule us together with the Turks. We prefer death to rule under the Turks. In the past we lived togeth- CT as master and slave. Now we want the right to live alone, away from the Turks. We want the Peace Con ference to set aside a section of ter ritory for us and then the Turks will leave us. It is a matter of life and death for us right along. The only solution possible is to define our frontiers and if the United States, with whom we place our case and in morally and materially for twenty
 
 pended with the wealth of our land. If such help is not given then wa must wander over the earth like slaves, without a home"
 Premier Khatitian, who appears to be the ruling force in Armenia was formerly mayor of Tifis for a period of ten years serving as a Russian of fcial. He is a physician by profess sion. Short, bald, black-eyed, with close-trimned beard, he looks as much Russian as Armenian, and diff fers in appearance from the familiar Turkish Armenian type. He inspires confidence in his statements by a re- served, firm manner. While not a commanding figure either physically or Intellectually, he seems to do the best he can for his country, fully realizing the fragile thread by which 1t hangs to life.
 Regarding the question if Armenia will submit to be ruled under a blan- ket mandate, as part of Asia Minor, he said: "Whatever America decides is best for us we will follow out We are satisfied America has only our interests at heart. However, we be- Heve cur frontiers should be de- term=ned now, no matter when we are set free to walk alone as an indepen- dent state. If Americans will con- sent to rule us, to establish order in our country, to take over the admin istration of our affairs, we shall be satisfied. We love in this world but three things, freedom, work and edu- cation. When we are given the chance to earn these we will show America what we are capable Of We are now a tottering little government, we realize that we are weak. that the fire we have gone through has crip- pied us nightly, that the citizens here are worn out or are not our best ma- terial, but with time we shall inn prove.
 'It must be recognized that both in Turkey and in Russia, Armenians have always furnished a large class of intelligent public officials, bankers, traders and farmers, and those of us who are left, from massacres, together with our educated people now in Egypt, France, England, Bulgaria, will form a good nucleus for a pros porous state. I have here a long list of names of those Arnenians in America representing a half billion dollars capital, who have declared their intention of returning to live here when circumstances will per init
 Asked whether, if the United States took a, mandate to Armenia, meaning thereby practically a military protec- torate, the Armenians would not soon be tired of their rulers, who would be quite different from mis- sfonaries, Premier Khatitian said:
 There is big colony of our peo- pie in America who meet all classes, and there are none of them who do not entertain deep affection for Amer lea and regard her as a mother. II saw last winter three hundred dead per day on the streets of this city and if America had not helped feed our hungry there would have been a half million Armenians dead of starvation. After such conditions it is our dream to have Ameriacns here, and if they don't come 1t will be our end.'
 Asked if reconstructed Russia woHld not demand back any territory tha Paaca Confaranea nafGht now ssf .