New-York tribune., 1920-11-29
Denmark To
Be Mediator
In Armenia
Accepts Leagues Offer as
Peacemaker i'm War With
Turks; Nations Hoped
u. S. Would Take Task
By Ralph Courtney
Special Cable TO The Tribune

Copyright. 1920, New York Tribune Inc.
GENEVA, Nov. 28.-~Denmark is
understood to have accented the
leagues offer to act as mediator in the
war between the Armenians and the
Turkish nationalists under Mustapha
Kemal.
This is the arst affirmative reply
that has been received by the league
IN response to the circular letter 5, f
out by the league Council asking some
power to volunteer to negotiate peace
between the contcndinc factions in
Asia Minor.
Denmark's acceptance will cause con-
sternation in many circles, where it
mad been hoped that the United States
alone would undertake the task.
Denmark is regarded by some as too
small country to accept RESPONSE
blllty Of such great Importance. Her
acceptance, however, will probably be
welcomed, and whether or not she
proves to be able to solve the prob
lem, Great Britain will have the as
surancc that France will not be unop.
posed as candidate for mediator.
A curious situation has arisen.
France, which ordinarily is mlitaristi
cally inclined, in the Armenian dispute
wants to settle matters by negotiation,
while Cecil's committee is preparing
for war.
Frances Position in Doubt
There has been some doubt lately
whether France was prepared to &C
cept the office of mediator on a purely
thilanthropic basis. Her position was
said to be dependent on the outcome Of
the Lloyd George-Leygues conferences
in London and the discussions which
Leon Bourgeois is having In Paris over
the week end with officials Of the
French Foreign Office.
General Weygands report on the
Armenian situation has been received
by the Cecil committee. The general
tenor of the report Is that nothing can
be done before April. The committee
is not bound to accept this report, al
though great confidence is placed gen
orally in General Weygand's ability to
master problems Of this sort. The fear
is expressed by some that Weygand's
view has been tinged by French policy,
for France has little faith in the de-
liberations Of Cecil's committee.
General Sir Frederick Morris, of
Great Britain. who arrived in Geneva
last night, placed before the special
committee of six, which had been
charged by the Assembly with finding
means of saving Armenia, a definite
pian Of action. Lord Robert Cecil is
chairman of the comm ttee. Not only
had the expense of working out the
Britis scheme been considered by its
proponents, but every detail had been
thought out. The plan aims especially
at setting Armenia on her feet ct
small cost to herself. viz, 100000
pounds.
AS fer the electives to be used in
carrying out the program, these would
consist of Armenians themselves di-
stoned officers of the Allied armies
who SAW service in the great war.
Although The Tribune correspondent
has these estimates. he Is not at lib
erty to give them and may only say
that they are remarkably small.
Language Differences Called Minor
AS for objections that differences In
language might be bar to the success
of such a mixed organization, exam
Piles are cited to show that in the
fighting in France language difficulties
had no appreciable effect. Moreover, it
is suggested that many Armenians
speak French and English. and it would
not be impossible to have interpreters
if these were thought necessary.
The Tribune is reliably informed
that the remnants Of General Wran-
gels army is not being considered In
any way for use in Asia Minor.
The terms for the Armenian expedi-
tion being considered by Cecil's COM
mittee even go so far as to suggest
the names Of officers to be put In com
mand Of them. Although I am not at
liberty to divulge the name Of the pro-
posed commander In chief, It Is one
which Is likely to cause q sensation
when it is made public.
Many cablegrams arc passing be-
tween Cecil's committee and America,
and l understand that considerable
(CentInued on paoe fsur,