, 1919-12-25

"a diplomatic gossip is how the
IA American soldier will adapt
himself to the new duties and
unique surroundings of some of the
distant foreign areas he will of neces-
sity become intimate with in case the
system of American manufactures in
volved in the League of Nations be-
comes an accomplished fact. Ar
menia in general and more particular
ly the so-called republic of Ararat are
most frequently mentioned as zones
to be given over to the protecting wing
Of the American eagle, Everyone adj
mits If the job is done at all by Uncle
Sam it will be done in the typical
whole-hearted American manner The
question therefore arises as to what
the American men who will be called
upon to play an active part will think
of II.
1t will admittedly be important to
give the Americans advance informa-
ton as to what they are to expect
II they go as part Of Uncle Sans pro-
tecting arm to Armenia or to Ararat,
says the New York Sun. Under any
mandatory system exercised by the
United States, American soldiers as
well as American civilians will have
to spend part of their lives in these
countries and although the number
may not be very great, it nevertheless
will not be negligible.
Armenia, a mountainous country, a
little larger than the state of Pennsyl-
vania, lies just south of the Caucasian
mountains between the Black and the
Caspian seas. Although it is bitterly
cold on the mountains and oppressive
ly hot in the valleys in summer. 1t is
nevertheless a fascinating dreamland.
Astounding in streams INT lakes and
-rare birds and overs. 1t is referred
to frequently as the "cradle of hui
mainly" for 1t claims within its Dor
hers the Garden of Eden. Its his
rory> is somewhat obscure, but 1t is
said that the Armenian nation sprang
up from the great grandson of ia
pheth, the son Of Noah. The name
Armenian is derived from Aram, one
of the mighty kings of the nation. The
first Armenian dynasty dates back to
1850 B. C.
Republic" Of Ararat.
Armenia is the proud poSseSSor of
Ararat-now the Republic of Ararat-
which is identified with the beginnings
of the history of he human race, for
when the Hood subsidized Noah's ark
is supposed to have rested upon the
mountain of Ararat. The name of the
village at the entrance to the glen
on the northeast foot of Mount Ararat
is Arghuri, meaning "he planted the
Vine" and American troops may be
told that this was Noah's vineyard.
Nearby is another spit called MA
nard," meaning "the mother lies here"
and this is pointed out as h burial
place of Noah's wife,. The first strip
of land seen from the ark Is also
shown to visitors at n place called
'Eravan," meaning visible, and the
town of Nakchwan, meaning first
habitation," is another point of inter-
est.
If the little Republic of Ararat
wins mandatory protection from the
United States, American soldiers may
have the opportunity of defending the
mountain, which is regarded with
superstitious awe. 1t is believed by
the surrounding people still to con-
tain the relics of Noah's ark. un-
changed by time or decay. But Tartars
and Turks say its summit is the abode
of the devil and launch frequent cam
paigns against its 'evil influence"
American troops may well have an
opportunity Of engaging in almost con-
tinuous warfare in defense of this
most ancient historical shrine.
Admittedly there is more or less a
state of continual war in Armenia be
cause of the Kurds, who prey on the
Christians. The beys or chiefs of the
Kurds harass the Christians in every
way and break up Christian marriage
ceremonies in order to seize the brides.
There is at present no organized force
to hold the Kurds in check and they
live on robbery and pillage. But with
American troops in Armenia, 1t is firm
" believed by diplomats that the &C
HvItIes of the Kurds will be held in
check, IL not stamped out altogether.
One view is that the Kurds might
even lay down their arms as soon as
they see the American troops arrive.
Queer Marriage Custom.
The Armenians are intelligent and