Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-04-07
Wednesday, April 7, 1920.
Our Duty in Armenia


in this country because Of the appeal
made by the horrible condition into
which that people have been thrown
through no fault Of their own.
A mission headed BY General
James G. Habord which has spent
several months travelling in Armenia
on O. tour of investigation reported
Saturday to the United States Sen
ate. The report fills thirteen VOL
umes in which thirteen reasons are
advanced why this country should
accept a mandatory and thirteen
reasons why it should not.
Among the reasons advanced the
one most pertinent is that no other
power in the world may do this work,
a reason presented very plausibly
but not convincinsly, we think, es
pecially in view of what Great Brit
ain has been able to do with her
training and experience in undertak-
ings somewhat similar. The most
cogent argument in opposition seems
TO us the well demonstrated fact we
would he unable to maintain a uui-
form aud diSnified policy with re-
spect to the task. We are now stag
ing for all the world to see a pitiful
example of national incompetency
in the matter of the peace treaty.
No matter whose the fault or how
many share in it, and there is no
reason to suppose that we should
under similar conditions exhibit bet
Ter management respecting a mani
date over Armenia.
All the altruism which might be
enlisted in the cause could not lift
above selfshness this Introduction Of
our power into the troubled waters,
this proximity to business ventures
and opportunities eagerly sought by
the nations of the world, involving
as it would control of the Turks fl
nances, contact with concessions
now enjoyed by almost every Euro
pean nation and with which we
would probably be required to inter-
fere.
1t is a splendid vision, this going
TO the help of the world, taking over
its most perpleXing and .dirtiest
problem. spending perhaps a billion
dollars, sending an army of Ameri-
can boys into a region of pestilence,
a splendid vision if it might be full
filled by the men and the money
sent, but could it be? What about
the home politics, the pickering, the
hesitancy shutting. evading and all
the contempt such conditions Would
inevitably excite among the foreign
peoples with whom we would have to
deal, and with whom we could not
expect to deal effectively by any
such methods? Our inability to con-
cIude peace within a year and "a
half of the end of fighting is an
swer sufficient. Our Presidents ef-
forts that have irritated every for
cign government are another answer.
Whatever happens we may not
wash our hands of all responsibility,
We may not refuse effort, money or
sacrifice, but first we should make
reasonably sure Of their being effec-
tive. AS a member Of the League of
Nations, which now is considering
self without adequate funds for the
undertaking. the United States
would be able to lend OF influence,
money and assistance, could if need
be act as umpire on occasion. AS
Stunning we are not competent to be-
come a useful member Of the League
assuredly we cannot expect to meet
the requirements Of a useful mazda
tory, and If we are competent and do
become a member of the League we
would seem to be in a way TO do our
duty In the matter
The fact that Senator. williams
= has introduced in the Senate a reso-
luton authorizing the President to
raiseyand equip an Armenian army
TO be Differed and assisted by Amer
lean troops to patrol the railroad
from Batoum to Baku indicates that
the President intends to favor ac-
ceptancc of the mandate. He is
known to be at his best when he is
advocating some splendid vision like
universal and everlasting peace and
the saving of the world by the scruff
Of its neck. but decidedly at his
worst when attempting to put his
dreams into practise.
.-s.0oa->-