The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-16
Armenia as a Trap.
"A Critic of MIR. Wilson Fears League
Trick to Catch America.


To THE NEW York HERALD: I was
much interested in your editorial ar
ticle on my recent letter. You are. new
ertneless, quite wide of the mark. The
President cannot act as an individual
In any such matter as the Armenian
mediation. For this is diplomatic act
back of which must be the power and
majesty of the United States to give 1t
effect. and it can produce no effect ex-
cept through the influence on Turkey Of
the-unconscious, II you will-presence
OF that power and majesty. In other
words. similar act by the President Of
Cuba or Peru would almost produce a
smile on the Turks face.
You have in mind a totally different
species Of acts by our Executive A
President may be called upon to act as
arblter, just as we have asked other
sovereigns to act as arbiter. You will
recall our San Juan de Fuca Strait
controversy with Great Britain in which
Emperor William !. OF Germany acted
as arbiter, George Bancroft mainly rep
resenting our case before him. This.
however, was an act which in no way
affected Germany. The case could as we'll
have been submitted to the highest in
ternational civil authority of Germany
or France. let US say except that as 1t
involved rights OF nations II was thought
proper n sovereign should pass upon the
question.
Again the selection of the Geneva ar
bitrators of the Alabama claims-that
is, the three impartial ones--was left to
sovereigns of countries not interested
directly or indirectly in the case, Switzer-
land, Italy and Brazil. They might de-
eide the case, but the influence Of their
countries after judgment rendered
would in no way affect the payment Of
the award made to the United States.
In the Armenian case however. the
matter is quite different It is not
new matter. It has been brought up
as part of the League OF Nations time
and again. Effort after effort has been
made to make US assume what really
is a protectorate over Armenia against
country which Is automatically a
friendly nation. We have not as a ma
ton accepted that protectorate. nor
could we except by action OF Congress.
What Is now being done Is an indirect
effort to make us do, what the Execu-
tive knows cannot be done directly. n
Is for this reason that 1 say the Presi-
dent cannot act as an individual ard
that he is indirectly Juggling us into the
League.
agree with you In sympathy for the
Armenians. although they are not quite
the spotless virtuous Christians they
are usually held up TO be. The cruel
f,es nractised on them are intolerable
But that does not Justify our Presi-
dents action.
Bear in mind that the League. not
Turkey, has asked him TO interfere. II
Turkey chose to let the President arbi-
trate the case IL would be wholly diff
ferent. But an outside authority, not
recognized by our Government. and Of
which Turkey Is not a member. wishes
our President to interfere in a matter
has no interest
TO Justify It on the ground OF hui
mainly may be sentimentally up to
date. but II would be the first of in
Vulnerable similar chapters. and we
might be sorry we ever had got our
fingers into those cogs. For, ! repeat,
the Presidents action In this case binds
us morally as nation and he does II
in order to bring about that result, re-
gardless OF his Reputation a month
ago and quite without consideration Of
his successors ideas and policies. 1t
Is not right TO act in this manner.
A STUDENT OF HISTORY.
NEW YoRK, December IS.