The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-08
The Presidents individual Capacity
as Armenian Mediator.

"a Student of History" whose let
ter appeared on this page yesterday.
refers to an editorial remark of THE
New YORK HERALD to the effect that
In undertaking the job of mediation
In the case Of Armenia President WILL
SON made It clear that he promised
only personal and individual service
and was not assuming to act in any
sense as the representative Of United
States policy. "How," asks our cor
respondent, "can the President act in
his personal capacity in any case? II
the President acts he acts as Presi-
dent of the United States and morally
binds us as nation and indirectly
ltigs us into the League Of Nations"
Mr.. WILSON'S functions with regard
to Armenia are not the less individ-
ual and personal because he Is Presi-
dent Of the United States when he ac-
cepts the invitation. or because the
invita- ton to him was suggested by
the fact that he holds the ONCE OF
President. His own letter Of accept
ance Is the evidence Of his correct
understanding Of the personal and
individual character Of the undertak-
ing. This Government Is not a men,
Der of the League, and Mr.. WILSON
notifies all concerned that he Is with
out authority to do more than to ex-
ert individual and personal efforts in
behalf Of Armenia.
The only manner now apparent In
which Mr.. WILSON as mediator could
commit the United States Govern
ment. practically or morally, to a
future course Of action with regard
to Intervention In Asia Minor would
be by the exercise of his constitu-
tional power to recognize Armenia's
sovereign independence by officially
receiving a diplomatic representative
from the new State and by appointing
an Ambassador or Minister to rep
resent this Government there. But
this power exists just the samc
whether the President Is mediator or
not: and whether he Is mediator or
not the checks on that power exist
Just the same in the requirement of
the Senate's advice and consent md
in the power Of the Congress to with
hold appropriations for the mainte-
nance Of diplomatic relations.
There Is another circumstance
which may serve to enlighten Us as tn
Mr.. WILSON'S own conception OF the
task he has voluntarily undertaken.
Less than three months remain Of his
term as President. 1t Is scarcely
within the range of the possible that
the complicated and difficult task he
Is now attempting can be completed
before he leaves the White House.
The alternative, therefore, Is between
ceasing 10 be mediator when he
cen ses TO be President and finishing the
work as a person without official
status, Just as 1t might be done by
Colonel HOUSE, for example, or any
other competent private citizen and
friend of world peace.
The very fact that Mr.. WILSON ac-
cepted the invitation Mt time when
the sands of his official career had 80
nearly run out indicates full
recognition on his part of the per
sonal and individual character OF the
mediation. For nobody knows better
than he does that his personal work
for Armenia cannot be devolved,
willy-nilly. upon his successor when
the clock strikes noon on March 4.
Students of history will find curl
ously instructive parallel (os to time
condltions) In a case that occurred
almost thirty years ago. Late In the
year 1892, after GROVER CLEVELAND
had been elected as BENJAMIN HAIR
msoN's successor but while HARRISON
was yet President, the State Depart
ment was approached by the Belgian
Government with regard to the pos
sible acceptance by Mr.. HARRISON of
an invitation to act as mediator be-
tween Great Britain and the Congo
state In controversy rs to terri
torial rights IN Africa. On November