The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-01
WILSON MEDIATOR
IN ARMENIAN WAR
Accepts Leagues Invitation
to Bring Turk Nationals and
Christians Together.
MAY SEND MORGENTHAU
Writes Hymans He Will Send
Agent, but Cannot Pledge
Any Troops.
Special Despatch to THE New YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington. ID. c.. Nov. 30.


President Wilson to-day accepted
the invitation Of the Assembly of the
League of Nations to use his good Of
fees as a mediator between the Ar
meniaps and the Turkish Nationalists
led by Mustapha Kemal.
The Presidents acceptance is con-
tanned in a telegram made public by
the State Department, under date of
November 26, addressed to Paul Hy-
mans, president of the Council. 1t is
I'm answer 10 a telegram from NJ.
Hymans forwarding to the President
IA copy OF the resolution adopted by
the Assembly Of the league on No
vember %. requesting that the horrors
of the Armenian tragedy" be brought
TO the attention of the Powers with
view TO entrusting some Power with
the task of taking the necessary meas
ures TO stop hostilities in Armenia"
Consideration here to-day OF the
Presidents decision was confused by
press dispatches stating that the
league Is considering the formation of
an international army for service in
Armenia, which. it is added, Ma jor
Gen. Leonard Wood OF the United
States Army may be invited to lead.
Expect Russian Interference.
State Department officials refused to
be disturbed by the conflicting sugges-
ton that mediation Is to be offered
while an international army Is under
consideration, insisting that the chief
matter of interest Is the fact ths the
President had been asked to mediate
and has accepted the invitation.
In cabling his acceptance the Presi-
dent makes it clear he will act through
delegated agent and that he will rely
upon the league to determine TO whom
the offer of mediation shall be made and
the avenues TO be used I'm making the
offer
This indicates distinct difficulty, in
asmuch as the entire problem Q III.
near East Is involved in the Az enian
situation and is further complicated by
the fact that the Bolshevist Government
of Russia has announced it's intended
participation in any settlement that Is
TO be made.
The Turkish Nationalists' conflict with
the Armenians is incidental to their
struggle to prevent the enforcement OF
the Turkish treaty. and any effort 10
mediate Will doubtless involve the Presi-
dent IN the problem offered by this
treaty and tho Turkish Nationalist
movement. together with the Russian
participation in an already complex sit
dation.
The only hope that mediation will be
accepted by the Turks Is suggested IN
press dispatches to the effect that Mus
tapha Kemal might" welcome IT,
The President's suggestion that he act
through a second party is understood
here to mean he win designate Henry
Morgenthau. former Ambassador to Tur-
key, for the task. II is explained that
Mr. Morgenthau's duties as Ambassador
10 Mexico. with Senate confirmation de-
MED, "ls not taking up all OF his time"
ana that he Will find II possible 10 de-
vote himself 10 the now work.
NorgcnthRu knows Country.
Mr.. Morgenthau's experience as Amer
lean Ambassador TO Turkey has
equipped him with n knowledge Of near
Eastern and Turkish affairs which
highly qualities him for the position OF
mediator. the Administration believes.
Acceptance OF the invitation to medi-
ate is not believed to be out OF harmony
with the position OF the Senate on the
Armenian problem, since that body has
adopted resolutions OF sympathy for
Armenia and also authorized the Presi-
dent to send a battleship to Batum 70
rescue American citizens.
The proposed authorization Of an
armed force to act On Armenia, re-
ported I'm press dispatches from Geneva,
Is puzzliug to state Department Off
clals and members OF the Senate. There
is an absence OF consistency In the
suggestion of mediation and use OF
armed force which is difficult to recon-
cile
The suggestion that Gen. Leonard
Wood lead such force is in itself
source Of probable distinct embarrass-
Copfirxed o., ascord Pare,