New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-04-13
League Council
Completes Plan
For Armenia
instructions From Supreme
Body and Military Back
ing Only Necessary for
Mandate, Says Bourgeois
Funds Believed Available
Small Neutral Nation Pre-
ferred to Handle Protec-
ton, Asserts President
By Ralph Courtney
Special Cable to The Tribune

Copyright 1920. New York Tribune Inc)
PARIS, April 12.--After the fourth
meeting of the council of the league
of nations, which was held in Paris
yesterday, l was received by Leon
bourgeois, president Of the league.
The session of the council was held
tn the little Luxembourg Palace amid
;aich decorations of gold and glass that
belonged to centuries long last. In
one of the ante-chamber of that
palace, which once belonged to Mary
eff Medic, NJ. Bourgeois, in the good
humored, suave manner for which he
is noted, explained the reasons under
lying the refusal of the league as an
organization to accept a mandate for
Armenia.
I asked the president if the league
not taking the direct mandate for Ar
menia, whether it could possibly ac-
cept President Wilson's solution of the
Adriatic controversy and undertake a
mandate for Fiume.
NJ Bourgeois replied that the ques-
ton Of mandate for Fiume had
never been officially brought to the
attention of the league council, and,
therefore. he could not discuss that
Armenia, he said, the league had de-
cided it could not take upon itself the
status of an independent state.
"If the league were to become a
state like any other" continued NJ.
Bourgeois, "who would be left to act
as arbiter between the league and
other countries? For instance, say
that the league accepts mandate for
Armenia and as the mandatory be-
comes involved in a quarrel with Tur-
key or Georgia. Who would there be
to intervene to prevent trouble?
Mandatory Scheme Completed
"The council decided unanimously it
would be better to give the Armenian
mandate to- some country, preferably
small neutral nation, through which
the league will act.
81 will tell you, although this fact
has not been made public, that the
council has completed a mandatory
scheme for Armenia. We are only
awaiting instructions OF the Supreme
Council to go ahead. Military backing
is the only thing we lack. Funds and
other requirements to carry the project
through are in view.
"Of these / think the question of
money is the most important. [ may
tell you with practical certainty that
should the money be Forthcoming we
would have no difficulty in finding
either mandatory nation willing to
undertake the Armenian task or the
necessary military force"
M. Bourgeois voiced his regret that
the United States was not participant
ing in the work of the league and had
expressed unwillingness to act as man
datary for Armenia.
"Please tell America" he continued,
chat every single question that has
been brought before the council of the
league to date has been decided without
TIRE slightest friction. All it's decisions
have been unanimous and have been
reached with the greatest cordially on
the part of all concerned.
Il wish l could make clear to Amer
lea that, contrary 70 what some Amer
leans seem to btl:eve, the league is
rot kind of trap near which they
must act with caution. 1t already has
become body to which those in mis-
cry appeal in their distress and to
which even the great ones of the earth
ccme when they cannot reach solu-
tons of their difficulties"
Enthusiastic for League
Although he is past seventy. NJ. Bour-
geois remains young in his enthusiasm
for the league. His vision of the flu
ture of the league is that of body
ready always to maintain peace
throughout the world by stepping in
where selfish interests cannot agree
He even believes that the league will
have not only money but armed forces
on sea and land at it's disposal
M. Bourgeois sees no possibility OF
this development in the near future
but it is his personal opinion that
practical experience will lead the ma.