The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1920-06-01

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Senator Harding is the author Of
the resolution recently adopted by
the senate congratulating the Armen-
ian people on the recognition Of their
independence and asking the presi-
dent to send warship and American
marines to Baku. President Wilson,
referred to this resolution in his mes
sage today but senators pointed out
that this measure was adopted as a
substitute, proposing that the United
States become the, mandatory for
Armenia.
The president in his message 4
formed the senate that he had accept
ed the invitation of the allied su-
preme council that he undertake "to
arbitrate the very difficult questions
of the boundary between Turkey and
Armenia" saying he had thought it
his duty ''to accept this difficult and
\ delicate task
/ Provision for mandates over for
liner subject peoples is made in the
treaty of Versailles and il is set forth
that such mandates shall De executed
under the league of nations, but
sinceAthe United States IS : a mem
Der of the league, admin. alton Off
cials said that if congress decided
that the1 United States should act for
Armenia <the treaty provisions would
be waived, in this case.
The question of mandate over
Armenia, headed by Major General
Harbord, which recently was present
ed to the senate. General Harbord
estimated that acceptance of the
mandate would necessitate the pres
ence of $4,000 American troops
there. Other estimates, however,
have placed it at less, once the Turk
ish army had been demobilized in
accordance with the terms of the
Turkish treaty. =.
After citing the Harding resolution
expressing the hope that stable gov
ernment, proper protection of indi-
vidual liberties and the full realiza-
ton Of nationalistic aspirations may
soon be attained by the communica-
tion continued:
81 received and read this document
with great interest and with genuine
qualification, not only because it en-
bodies my own convictions and deal
ings with regard to Armenia and its
people, out also and more particular
ly because it seemed to me the verdict
of the American people expressing
their genuine convictions and deep
Christian synlpathies, and intmating
the line of duty which seemed to
them to lie before us"
Not Mere Coincidence.
The president said that he could
not "but regard it as providential,
and not as mere casual coinci-
dence," that almost at the same time
he received the senate resolution the
conference of statesmen at San
Reno had "resolved to address def
mite appeal to this government to
accept mandate for Armenia"
'sIn response to the invitation of
the council at San Reno I urgently
advise and request that the congress
grant the United States a mandate
over Armenia. I make this sugges-
tion in the earnest belief that it will
be the wish OF the people of the
United States that this should be
done -.
81 know from unmistakable evil
dences given by responsible repre-
sentatives of many peoples struggling
towards independence and peaceful
life again that the government of the
United States is looked to with ex-
traordinary trust and confidence, and
] believe that it would do nothing less
than arrest the hopeful processes of
civilization if we were to refuse the
request to become the helpful friends
and advisers of such of these people
as we may be authoritatively and for
nlal:y requested to guide and assist.
II am conscious that I am urging
upon the congress a very critical
choice, but / make the suggestion in
the confidence that l am speaking in
the spirit and in accordance with the
wishes of the greatest of the Chris
tian peoples.
cit is therefore with the most ear
nest hopefulness and with the feel
ing that I am giving advice from
which the congress will not willingly
turn away that urge the acceptance
of the invitation now formally and
solemnly extended to US by the coun-
Gil at San Reno, into whose hands
has passed the differences of govern
1nent in the one time Ottoman en-
pire and the maintenance o. order a2d
tolerable conditions of life in those
portions of that empire which it is no
longer possible IN the interest Of