The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-01-02
PALESTINE PROBLEM

self. It is made up not only of many na- tionalities but it has been the birthplace of divers old religions. In addition the situation is complicated by the tend encies of the Zionists to establish a home in Palestine. With the divergence In religious views to deal with it seemed impossible to place Palestine under the guidance of any one of the great powers and so 1t was decided that this country should come under an international protec- torate.'
 The correspondent called attention to ! the fact that Armenia is being urged I quietly by certain quarters to apply for the establishment of a French protec- torate over her. The reply was that If Armenia wanted a protectorate she should have it, but that thus far France
 has had no intention doing more than acting as guiding influence in Asia Minor
 An independent and integral Armenia, | under the collective protection of the al- l lied powers, is Armenias hope from the peace congress. however, according to | a statement given the Associated Press | by the Armenian national delegation, which now Is in Paris under the chair manship of Nubar Pasha After descrb- | ing the horrors of the massacres de- portations and tortures suffered by the country at the hands of "barbarians an1 | their German allies" the statement voices appreciation of Amercas under
 standing, sympathy and practical aid to Armenia and declares it unthinkable that ! Armenia, a Christian nation, should be
 left under the Turkish yoke. ARMENIANS LIBERATED l 'The victory of the allies the state
 ment continues. "one of whose war aims was the liberation of oppressed peoples,
 already has liberated the Armenians. Nothing remains except to fix the con
 ditions under which they may peaceably enjoy independence, sheltered from all
 outside aggression and permitted to ob- l tain their evolution and complete de- | velopment.
 | For this end they need the protec- tion and aid of the powers to which they owe their deliverance.'
 | Describing the complete overthrow of 1 all conditions of existence in Armenian provinces, the statement declared that l it will take several years to repatriate | the refugees deported, to repair the ruin and to restore normal conditions. The statement continues:
 l Tt is during his period of repatriation and reconstruction that the Armenians will need to be aided, protected and guided by the powers which alone pro- | cured them the means to bind up their | wounds and to be born again to life. | It is for that reason that they ask to
 be placed under the collective protection 1 of the powers and to be assisted in the work of reconstruction by one of them
 to which the protective powers will give ia special mandate for a temporary
 period the length of which is to be fixed by the peace conference l GRATEFUL TO AMERICA | The statement then expresses renewed
 gratitude for Americas part in the work of succor. relief and education as well as in the projected plans of the Arme-
 nian and Syrian relief committees. It continues:
 1 This makes us hope that America, I which has been so generous in the work | of Christian charity. will consent to continue its action on political grounds | by contributing with its allies to the | resurrection of Armenia
 | The declartions of President Wilson re- garding the rights of peoples are cited and the statement continues:
 {, Tt is in reliance on these principles | of justice and right that the Armenian
 national delegation has just declared the l independence of Armenia under the sure
 conviction that the government at Wash
 ington Will gladly be one of the first to |