New-York tribune., 1920-12-01
President Tells League He
Will Serve as Mediator
if the Powers Con.
tribute Moral Support
Will Act Through
Representative
Note Specifies He Has No
Authority to Pledge Aid
of U. S. Military Forces

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3O.-Presidont
Wilson to-day accepted the invitation
OF the League of Nations to serve as
mediator between the Turkish Nation
ahsts and the Armenians. In his 70.
ply to An invitation from Paul Hymans
president of the Council of the League
OF Nations, Mr.. Wilson asserts that he
is without authority to employ Ameri-
can military forces in any project for
the relief Of Armenia, but offers his
personal mediation through repre-
sentative" whom he will designate, in
the event he is given the "assurances
of the moral and diplomatic support of
the principal powers" in his efforts to
bring peace and accord to the con-
tending parties"
The text of the Presidents reply to
the Leagues invitation follows:
Il have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your cable MESSAGE
setting forth the resolution adopted
by the Assembly OF the League Of
Nations, requesting the Council of the
league to arrive at an understanding
win the governments with view
10 lntrust!ng power with the task
OF taxing the necessary measures to
stop the hostiities in Armenia.
You offered to the United States
the opportunity of undertaking the
humanitarian task of using it's good
offices to end the present tragedy
being enacted in Armenia, and you
assure me that your proposal in
wolves no repetition of the invitation
to accept a mandate for Armenia.
While the invitation to accept the
mandate for Armenia has been re-
jected by the Senate of the United
States, this country has repeatedly
declared its solicitudc for the fate
and welfare of the Armenian people
IN manner and to an extent that
Justlhes you in saying that the fate
OF Armenia has alw Us been of spe-
clal interest to the American people.
Support of Powers Required
II am without authorization to
oner or employ the military forces
of the United States in any project
for the relief Of Armenia, and any
material contribution would require
the authorization Of the Congress,
which is not now in session and
whose action | could not forecast. |
am willing, however, upon assurances
OF the moral and diplomatic support
Of the principal powers, and in
spirit d sympathetic response to
the request Of the Council of the
League of Nations, to use my good
Offices and to protfer my personal
mediation through representative
whom | may designate, to end the
hostilities that are now being waged
against the Armenian people and to
bring peace and accord to the con-
tending parties, relying upon the
Council Of the League of n tions 70
suggest to me the avenues. throug',
which my protler should be convene
ana andrah1 the parties to who7 it should b.
"WOODROW wilson"
The Presidents decision 10 serve in
mediatory capacity, if accepted by
the league, is not to be construed that
he personally will assume the task.
it was officially said at the State Dc
partment. 1t was made plain that un-
doubtedly Mr., Wilson would select
some individual who is especially
qualified by experience in Eastern
Enalrs 1oE" the position. 1t was said
l"at inc list of available men would
'nciuoc ne name of Henry Morgcnthau,
l''mer American Ambassador to Tur-
Key Who was described as peculiarly
''e'eo for the task. because Of his
o,iSledge Of Turkish affairs. and the
I !. estige he would have there, by reason
II his extended participation within
Itnd outside OF governmental positions,
with Eastern affairs. Mr. Morgenthau
is now serving as the American mem
Der OF League OF Nations commits
sion. which will establish the owner
ship Of the Aland Islands.
The decision Of the President was
described IS the effort OF a sln.cra
man sympathetic to the Arne niar 4
cause, who is willing to DO whatever
is possible toward overcoming the HOY
rors Of the Armenian situation The
action OF the President was stated to
be in Keeping with the American SEN
'ate's expression of solicitude Tor the
fate Of the Armenian people contained
in the Legislation which passed the
last session, providing an American
(centlnusd en- paeo six>