Evening journal., 1920-01-02
u $ MANDATES IN THE NEAR EAST.

EADING Republicans and Democrats alike have recent
L. y signed a memorandum to President Wilson op-
posing American mandates in the Near East and urslns
the United states at once recognize the Armenian Re-
public.
The slgners OF this memorandum are James W. Gerard,
Charles E. Hughes Alton b. Parker Ellhu Root Frederick
c. Pennod, Nicholas Murray Butler. Jacob Gould schur-
man. John Grier Hbben. p. ~ Rhnelander, and Admiral
Fske The memorandum states:
I'VE do not believe the American people can be fairly
asked to assume hazardous responsibility or that
thev should assume an obligation under which the Turks
viii become the principal benenciares, with the unavod-
able result that they will gain strength and, at the
Termination Of The OF mandate. resume their ma
tiona pastme Of murder and rapne. We are confident
that YOU cannot possibly sympathize with an arrange
meni that is advocated by the Turks themselves"
That President Wilson will ignore this memorandum is
70 be expected
There IS good reason to believe that understanding
was reached with the Paris peace conferees that the
United States would assume mandatory in Armenia
and with that understanding view, the British Govern
men has for some time past been Withdrawing its troops
from Armenia territory.
II s believed that one Of the cbef reasons why secre
irv Of War Baker nsistent for army OF 6OOOOO
aen was that large part OF such force might be ordered
10 Armenia 10 make mandatory in that region eec-
Tive.
such policy the American people will never tolerate
m was one OF the promises held out to the soldiers
Who fought against Germany and her confederates tha
n victory perched on the banners Of the Allied Powers
Turkey would be permanently removed from the Euro
pean theatre Of events.
That promise has not been kept Nor did President VIII
son ever subscribe to IT, although Lodge the Republican
leader. did.
b "a r. OF President Wilson's celebrated ID points,
declared that "the Turkish portions Of the present Otto
man Empire should be assured sovereignty but
the olher naiionates which now under Turkish rule
should be assured an undoubted security Of life and an
absolutely unmoested opportunity Of autonomous deve-
opment and the Dardanees should be permanently opened
as free passage to the ships and commerce OF all ma
lions under international guarantees"
This was in practical accord with Lloyd Georges re-
sssed views which were revised with the Russian col
..spse as an excuse. but which stated:
@ @ Arabia Armenia Mesopolamla, Syria and Palestine.
ARE in our Judgment entitled to recognition Of their
.Etparate national conditions"
80 Lodge went farther and demanded: "Consannople
isYus be finally taken away from Turkey and placed in
the hands Of the allied nations a free port as to
bar Germanys way the East and hold the Dardanelles
open for the benefit Of mankind. We must not be be-
gulled into concessions to Turkey with whom ought
now to at war the hope Of separating her from Ger
many Let Turkey Bulgaria share the fate Of their
master and be so treated that they will be unable again
to trouble the world"
But the President refused TO share in the against
Turkey although he insists the country should take part
In the peace.
Had the Republican scheme for the deportation Of Tur
key from European affairs carried out the safety and
"self-determlnaiion" Of Armenia would have been as
sured.
AS Il f. the next best thing do Is to recognize
her independence and that will doubtless be followed
BY such private financial assistance viii insure the
perpeuaton Of her national without assum-
ing the responsibilities % an Armenian mandate.