New-York tribune., 1920-11-23
League Moves
To Quell Turk,
Save Armenia

Continued from paga onc)
scheme in the League Council. and as
a unanimous vote is required there is
IN the assembly the French plan to
act as mediator probably will not come
through unscathed when the council
passes on to-day's assembly action. But
1t IS probable that the debate to -day.
with rs unanimous outcome. will result
IN assistance being given to the Armc-
mans IN one form or another
Baifour Criticizes Wilson Mildly
Reformation Hall, where the assem-
bly, sits, was packed. and the delegates
and spectators appauded vigorously
when Vlviani, appealing ip the 70 q OF
2 great humanitarian. made a brilliant
plea for prompt assistance for the be
lcaguered Armenians. Balfour had
tried to justify the work of the coun-
cil with respect to Armenia, criticizinp
President Wilson mildly for his fail
ure to delimit the boundaries of the
Armenian state and regrctting that
the United States had refused to as
sIst this country so in need Of helm.
Viviani said that he knew of no coun-
try's being willing to accept the man
date, but he suggested that the coun-
c'' could approach all the powers and
see If some one would agree to conduct
the negotiations looking toward peace.
Balfour interrupted. "HIow can you
negotiate with Mustapha Kemal unless
you have something to offer?" he asked.
He is the head of band of brigands
and You must offer him either money
or territory. Have we either to otfero
agree with NJ. Viviani that the idea
Of sending an army of 10000 to Ar
menia (this had been proposed by Dr.
"a
scheme cannot be pursued. But the
word negotiation means negotiations
between two civilized powers. Does
Mustapha kemal represent a civilized
power? | should like to know how the
french delegation purposes to deal
with Kemal.'
Appeal to Powers Urged
Niviani replying Immediately, said
that perhaps mediation would be a bet
ter word to use III this connection than
negotiation. and that Balfour, with his
wonderfully subtle mind, would know
how to mediate with kemal.
Eloquently describing the weight of
public opinion behind any move which
the league might take to save Armenia.
Niviani declared that if the league had
no money and no armed force. then some
other method had to be found and he
Sa" 10 DelteI pan tnan TO nave the
council appeal to the powers
The speech Of the former French Pre-
mier carried all the assembly with him
and there was sweeping applause. On
the vote. not a single delegate cast
ballot against his plan, although a few
OF them refraned from voting
Expect Help From United States
The council will meet Immediately
~ ~
to the Assembly without DELAY. Should
Viviani's motion be defeated in the
council, or if no country is willing to
act as mediator, there is still Cecil's
7 Ian, which has behind it the posi-
bility that all the nations, including
the United States. will be asked to
contribute material assistance toward
an expedition to Armenia, even to the
extent of troops.
Several Of the speakers in the debate,
notably c. j. Doherty of Canada, and
Dr.. Nansen, expressed the opinion that
the United States might still be found
once before to accept the mandate.
The Assembly has committed itself
to a point where it cannot abandon
Armenia and as Niviani remarked,
"When a person is III, we don't refer
him to a commission. We call doc
tor"
To-day's session was historic in
many respects. In the first place two
score nations voted unanimously, show
ing the weight of public opinion, none
daring to oppose in public what seemed
to them pledge on the part of the
French government that they would,
if none other was found. accept the
post Of mediator.
Result of Open Diplomacy
The session was unique in that
statesmen of two countries debated in
public question that is vital in the
relations Of the nations
they represented. 1t was the first occa-
sion upon which open diplomacy iusti-
fed its supporters, for the belief was
expressed after the session that had it
been held in secret, unanimity certain
ly would not have been possible.
The question of aid for Armenia has
been hanging fire for a year. Several
months ago, at meeting Of the league
council, Leon Bourgeois, of France,
proposed that steps be taken to inter-
vcne between the Armenians and their
enemies, but Balfour then was not en-
thusiastic. Nevertheless, a telegram
was sent to the supreme council out
lining the plan, but it only elected a
reply that the Armenian question WAS
one which the supreme council would
deal with itself. The supreme council
then sent request to President Will |
son that the United States accept the |
mandate and that he define the boun-
daries. The mandate was not accepted
ard the boundary still remains unfxed, |
according to Balfour, who mentioned |
the subject to-day.
Lord Robert Cecil reminded the /
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