Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-05-25

spire wider confidence and afford a
firmer guarantee for stability in the
future than would the selection OF
any European power
Guard Weaker States
Early in the conferences at Paris
it was agreed that to those colonies
and territories which as conse-
quence Of the late war have ceased to
be under the sovereignty Of the
states which formerly governed them
and which arc inhabited by peoples
not yet able to stand by themselves
under the strenuous conditions of
the modern world there should be
applied the principle that the well
being and development of such peo-
pies form a sacred trust of civiliza-
ton and that securities for the per-
Torrance of this trust should be af-
forded.
1T was recognized that certain COM
munities formerly belonging to the
Turkish Empire have reached a stage
of development where their existence
as Independent nations can be provis-
ionally recognized, subject to the rem
dering of administrative advice and as
sistance by mandatory until such
time as they are able to stand alone.
Request for Mandatory
''It is in pursuance of this principle
and with a desire of affording Armenia
such advice and assistance that the
statesmen comforting at San Reno have
formally requested this government to
assume the duties of mandatory in Ar
menia. I may add for the Information
of the Congress that at the same sit
ting it was resolved to request the Pres
ident of the United States to undertake
to arbitrate the difficult question of the
boundar between Turkey and Armenia
and the villayets of Erzerum, Trebi-
zond. Van and Bitlis, and it was agreed
to accept his decision thereupon as well
as any stipulation he may prescribe as
to access to the Senate for Independent
state Of Armenia.
President to Arbitrate
I'm pursuance Of this action it was
resolved to embody H. the treaty with
Turkey, now under final consideration,
provision that Turkey and Armenia
and the other high contracting parties
President of the United States of Amer
lea the question of the boundary be-
tween Turkey and Armenia in the viii
layets Of Erzerum, Trebizond, Van and
Bitlis, and to accept his decision there
upon as we'll as any stipulations We may
prescribe as to access to the Senate for
the Independent state of Armenia; pend
ing that decision, the boundaries of Tur-
key and Armenia to remain as at pres
emf.
His Duty to Accept
II have thought it my duty to accept
this difficult and delicate task.
I'm response to the invitation of
the council at San Reno, l urgently
advise and request that the Con-
gresS grant the executice power to
accept for the United States a man
date over Armenia. / make this
suggestion in the earnest belief that
1t will be the wish Of the people of
done. The sympathy with which Ar
menia has proceeded from no single
portion of our people, but has come
with extraordinary spontaneity and
sinceretey from the whole of the
great body of Christian men and wo-
men in this country by whose free
will offerings Armenia has practical.
ly been saved at the most critical
juncture of it's existence. At their
hearts this great and generous peo-
pie have made the cause Of Armenia
their own. 1t is to this people and
to their government that the hopes
and earnest expectations of the
struggling people of Armenia turn as
they now emerge from period of IN
describable suffering and peril, and
I hope that the Congress will think
it wise to meet this hope and expec-
tation with the utmost liberality.
know from unmistakable evidence
of many peoples struggling towards
independence and peaceful life again
that the government of the United
States is looked to with eXtraordi-
nary trust and confidence, and I be-
lieve that it would do nothing less
than arrest the hopeful process of
civilization if we were to refuse 10
request to become the helpful friends
and advisors of such of these peo-
pie as we may be authoritatively and
formally requested to guide and
assist.
Realizes Choice is Critical
II am conscious that l am urging
upon the Congress very critical choice,
but 1 make the suggestion in the confi-
dence that l am speaking in the spirit
and in accordance with the wishes Of
the greatest Of the Christian peoples.
The sympathy for Armenia among our
people has sprung from untainted con-
sciences, pure Christian faith and an
earnest desire to see Christian people
everywhere succored in their time of
suffering. and lifted from their abject
subsection distress enabled to stand
upon their feet and take their place
among the free nations Of the world
Our recognition of the independence of
Armenia will mean genuine liberty and
assured happiness for her people If we
fearlessly undertake the duties Of guild
ance and assistance involved in the
functions Of a mandatory. 1t is, there
fore, with the most earnest hopefulness
and with the feeling that I am giving
advice from which the Congress will not
willingly turn away that urge the ac-
ceptance of the invitation now formally
and solemnly extended to us by the
council at San Reno. into whose hands
has passed the difficult task of comnns-