The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1920-06-04
PRESIDENT ASKS FOR
ARMENIAN MANDATE
REQUESTS AUTHORITY FOR UNIT.
Ed STATES TO ASSUME CON- =
TRoL THAT COUNTRY
NO ACTION BY ETHER HOUSE
Believes II as Wish Of Whole Country
That This Be Done" He Says In
Message to Legislators.-May
Put Matter off

Washington. May 27.--Democratlc
opposition developed yesterday to
President Wilson's request to congress
for authority TO accept mandate
over Armenia.
Senator Hitchcock of Nebraska, adj
minlstrntion leader In the peace treaty
fight, Joined Republicans opposing the
measure. and there were indications
thar other Democrats would stand with
him.
There were many informal confer
ences by both parties. at which men,
bers expressed strong objection to any
proposal which would send American
troops to Europe or Asia.
Chairman Porter Of the foreign af-
fairs committee indicated the presi-
dents message would be considered
briefly and then laid on the table.
which would end 1t. lnasmuch ms the
senate has failed to ratify the treaty
with it's league Of nations covenant,
Republican members of the house
committee contended that TO accept
mandate would be like doing indi-
rectly what congress had not permit
ted to be done directly. The house
committee IL not expected to meet un-
til tomorrow but the senate foreign re-
lations committee will probably take
up the mandate question today. In
the senate, as In the house, the gen.
eral desire seemed TO be to table 1t,
although there was the suggestion that
the president might call congress in
special session during the summer for
Its consideration. The president was
asked in n resolution introduced yes
terday by Representative Mason, Re
publican, of Illinois. for full informa-
ton as to the cost and number Of
troops required In connection with his
mandate proposal. Mr.. Mason insist
ed that congress should know before
adding to the burden of the overtaxed
peoples"
Washington, May 25.--Authority to
datory over Armenia was asked of
congress yesterday by President vii
son. The executive said he was con.
scious that he was urging very crit
ical choice" hut that he did so ''ln
the earnest belief that 1t will be the
wish of the people of the United
States that this should be done"
The presidents message was read in
both house and senate. but was dis
cussed In neither. Each house refer
red II to it's committee on foreign
relations and there was no indication
when either committee would take II
up.
The president In his message In.
formed the senate that he had "ac.
cepted the invitation Of the allied STU
preme council that he undertake ia
arbitrate the very difficult question
of the boundary between Turkey and
Armenia" saying he had thought II
his duty ito accept this difficult and
delicate task"
Provision for mandates over former
subject peoples Is made In the treaty
OF versailles and II Ia set forth that
such mandates shall be executed un
der the lsaSsse of nations, but since
the United States Is not a member OF
the league. administration officials
said that II congress decided the
United States should act for Armenia
the treaty provisions would be waived
In this case.
The question OF a mandate over Ar
menia was discussed In the report OF
the American mission to Armenia
headed by Major General Harboard
which recently was presented to the
senate. General Harboard estimated
that compliance with the mandate
would necessitate the presence of 80,
900 American troops there. Other es
Inmates. however. have placed II al
less, once the Turkish army had beer
demobilixed In accordance With III,