New-York tribune., 1920-05-27

would bring the mandatory nation into
conflict with the Turk and the Bolshe-
visit, any effort to take over the larger
would in addition involve it in disputes
with the British, French and italians,
who have spheres of interest in the
south
So far as Europe il concerned, it has
already indicated that it believes that
Armenian territory should be limited
to the districts comprising Armenia
Major, not merely or mainly because
other Armenian claims conflict with
the ambitions of European nations, but
because no European nation cares to
undertake the task Of winning and hold
ing Armenia Minor for the Armenians,
and it is obvious that only a SUCCESS
full war against the Turks could es-
tablish such an Armenian state.
Arms Must Back Decision
President Wilson has always shown
himself very sympathetic with the
largest aspirations Of the Armenians,
and it is far from impossible that he
may decide that Armenia should extend
from the Black Sea to the Gulf of Alex
andretta and from Sivas to the shores
of the Caspian, but unless his country
is willing to back such a decision by
arms, by the sending of a considerable
army to Trebizond and another t.
Alexandretta, his decision will have no
real value to the Armenians. And
merely sending two armies will not set
tie the question; the armies will have to
fight and fight for some time before
the territory can be taken and pacified.
If the United States declines the man
date it is far from impossible that the
larger fraction of the Armenian race
will be exterminated. At least it is
difficult to see any other direction from
which aid can be expected. Certainly
neither France nor Great Britain nor
Italy, with the very large demands
which are now being made upon them
for rehabilitation on the one hand and
for the defense of old and new terri
tories on the other, can spare the men
or meet the costs of q rescue campaign
in Armenia.
Not improbably the future will dis
close mineral wealth in the Armenian
regions. Once the country has been
cleared of the Turkish and Kurdish
forces and communications have been
created, there is little reason to question
the Armenian assertion that prosperity
will follow, and very considerable pros
perity. 1t is even possible that within
a few years the Armenians will be able
to defend themselves against Turkish
attack with minimum of outside as
sistance.
The Situation Summarized
But, facing the situation which exists
at the moment, no one can blink the
TACT that an American mandate for
means an American war in
Asia Minor, certainly more considerable
than our war in the Philippines, and
calling for large expenditures in men
and in money alike. Nor is it less clear
that the costs will be continuing for five
Or ten years at least. 1t is equally
manifest that taking the Armenian man.
date will carry with it inevitable entan-
clement in that Near Eastern mess
which has been responsible for so many
wars in the last century.
The course of the President has thus
placed squarely before the country the
choice between declining the proffercd
which may sign the death
warrant of the Armenian race, and ac-
,epting a new war and a foreign re-
sponsibility graver than any in our
oast history.
Copyright. 1920. Mcclure Newspaper Syn
dicate1