The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-09
NEW AMENDMENTS
FORECAST BY BRYAN
Predicts Initiative and Refer
endum Will Be Part Of
Constitution.
WANTS ARMENIA FREED
Charles Z. Hughes Also Urges
This. but Opposes L. S.
PrOtectOrate.
WANTS ARMENIA FREED

PrOtectOrate.
An amendment TO the Federal Com
stitution providing for the initiative and
referendum was predicted and advo-
Gated last night by William ]. Bryan
5n a speech at dinner given by the
American Committee for the 1nde-
pendence OF Armenia in the Plaza Hotel.
THE people will before many years.
am convinced" said he, add a TWEEN
tieth amendment rescrving to the people
the power to veto, through referen-
dunn. the acts of their legislatures and.
through the initiative secure such de-
sirable legislation as they are not able
20 secure through their representatives"
Mr.. Bryan and Judge Charles e.
Hughes, both defeated Presidential can
hidates of the two great parties. were
the chief speakers at the dinner at which
james w. Gerard. former Ambassador to
Germany and chairman OF the COM
mttee. presided. Both declared for
Armenian independence, Judge Hughes
specifically opposing any plan for an
American protectorate. however The
assumption OF any such relationship TO
the projected infant republic by the
United States was unnecessary he said.
Should the need arise however. he
stated his belief that the United States
could be relied upon TO respond to the
call of duty.
Would Buy Alien Property.
Mr. Bryan suggested n plan for the
now Armenian Republic to purchase all
property held by persons of other races
who might not wish to remain and live
under the new Government. He thought
that Armenians now living in other por-
tons OF the world who would return
there under the altered conditions about
to be created would purchase 1t without
loss to the infant nation.
Armenans from all over the United
States participated in the historical
pageant covering 1000 years of Armen-
Ian history which was feature of the
dinner. Nine. YVonre de Trev!lie sang
Armenia new Song by Claude War
ford, and the dineru stood during the
singing OF the star Spangled Banner"
and "Haiasdah," the Armenian national
anthem.
= Resolutions were adopted favoring
Armenian independence and copy OF
them was cabled to President Wilson
Cabegrams were received from Sir
Arthur Balfour, British Foreign Minis
ter: Foreign Minister Sonnino of Italy
and one from the French Government,
which was read by CASTOR Liebert,
French Consul-General
Great Britain sympathiSes with your
purposes said Mr.. Balfour's message.
land I trust the labors of the conference
may fully satisfy your wishes"
The other speakers were Michel Tsa-
matos Of the Greek Embassy and Miriam
Sevasly of the Armenian National Dele
CATION to the United States.
why did we enter tho war; asked
Judge Hughes in beginning. I'VE had
endured insult and assault. our essential
rights were invaded and still the coun-
try was loath to fight. 1t was the bru-
-altv Of the Germans which shocked our
people into a realiza ton that the Allies
were lighting foe OF unspeakable
cruelty, The atrocities committed in
Belgium, the systematic evisceration OF
that unfortunate country made war
against such an enemy holy crusade,
and the renewed attacks upon our COM
merce found our people with an implsc-
able determination to end this frightfui
conspiracy against civilization.
The idea that democracy itself was
at stake-that we were TO make the
world safe for democracy-was a later
concept. 1t interpreted the funda =
mental significance OF the contest. But
the Immediate purpose was TO stop the
Hun, TO check the wild beast Which
milltarism and the philosophy Of might
had let loose upon the world.
Pays Tribute TO Roosevelt.
I'VE can never speak Of this resolu-
ton and Of the achievements which fol-
lowed without paying our tribute to the
brave leader OF opinion who never fall
tered in his demand that America should
perform her duty--thc friend of Bel
GUM. of Armenia and of all the OPP
pressed-Thcodore Roosevelt. CAP
plause).
The atrocities IN Re,slum terrible
as they werc were but slight as COM
pared with the incredible cruelties and
massaCres that took place IN unfortu-
nate Armenia. 1t was natural that the
despicable Hun should join forces with
the unspeakahle Turk. The ferocity OF
the Turk, without limit. was given play
IN Armenia. We had read of the per
secutons and massacres Of former years
but they were slight indeed as compared
with the cruelties and wholesale MUIR
ders of these last days. The recital has
been too shocking to print.
lseD sympathy WIFI Armenia mar
not been confined to those of the Chris
tian faith, and let it always be remem-
bered that no one has done more &c
quicken our appreciation Of the wrongs
of Armenia. or wrought more persis.
tently for the protection OF the Ar
menians themselves, than Henry Nor
genthau, our former Ambassador a Con-
stantinople.
There is no doubt OF the capacity oil
the Armeniars for freedom. They are
as capable of government as any
people. Despite their persecution Their
ability has made them essential even &c
Turkish administration and they have
furnished the brains Of the ottoman En-
pire All they need is that decent op
portunity which only civil and religion:
liberty can provide.
I'VE propose tonight IN throw sucl
Influence as We have into the scale fol-
Armenian Independence. 1t would b,
unthinkabl that Armenia should be lef
longer under Turkish control. and II II /,
not under Turkish control then Armenis
should lie autonomous. We see no in
eurmountable obstacles TO tho attain
ment of this happy result. We bellev,
that under Armenian control those sec