The Connecticut labor press., 1920-01-03

a IN IN ChEc 11NO SuUJcSl OI
 N diplomatic gossip is how the "A American soldier will adapt
 himself to the new duties and unique surroundings of some of the distant foreign areas he will of neces- sity become intimate with in case the system of American mandatOrieS in- vOlved in the League of Nations be- comes an accomplished fact. Ar menia in general and more particular ly the so-called republic of Ararat are most frequently mentioned as zones to be given over to the protecting wing of the American eagle, Everyone ad- mits If the job is done at all by Uncle Sam it will be done in the typical whOle-hearted American manner. The question therefore arises as to what the American men who will be called upon to play an active part will think of it.
 . It will admittedly be important to give the Americans advance informa- tion as to what they are to expect if they go as part of Uncle Sam's pro- tecting arm to Armenia or to Ararat, says the New York Sun. Under any mandatory system exercised by the United States, American soldiers as we'll as American civilians will have to spend part of their lives in these countries and although the number may not be very great, it nevertheless will not be negligible.
 Armenia, a mountainous country, a little larger than the state of Pennsyl- %Io mountains between the Black and the Caspian seas. Although 1t is bitterly cold on the mountains and oppressive ly hot in the valleys in summer. it is nevertheless a fascinating dreamland. abOundiHg in stresirIs5 and lakes and rare birds and flowers. It is referred to frequently as the "cradle of hu- manity," for it claims within it's bor- ders the Garden of Eden. Its his tory is somewhat obscure, but it is said that the Armenian nation sprang up from the great grandson of Ja- pheth, the son of Noah.
 "RepubIic" of Ararat.
 Armenia is the proud posseSsOr of Ararat-now the Republic of Ararat- which is identified with the beginnings of the history of the human race, for when the flood subsided Noah's ark is supposed to have rested upon the mountain of Ararat. The name of the village at the entrance to the glen on the northeast foot of Mount Ararat Is Arghuri, meaning "he planted the vine," and American troops may be told that this was Noah's vineyard. Nearby is another spit called Ma nard," meaning "the mother lies here" and this is pointed out as the burial place of Noah's wife. The first strip of land seen from the ark is also shown to visitors at a place called "Eravan," meaning visible, and the town of Nakchwan, meaning first habitation," is another point of inter- est.
 If the little Republic of Ararat wins mandatory protection from the United States, American soldiers may have the opportunity of defending the mountain, which is regarded with superstitious awe. It is believed by the surrounding people still to con- tain the relics of Noah's ark, un- changed by time or decay. But Tartars and Turks say its summit is the abode of the devil and launch frequent cam- paigns against its ''evil influence" American troops may well have an opportunity of engaging in almost con- tinuous warfare in defense of this most ancient historical shrine.
 Queer Marriage Custom.
 The Armenians are intelligent and economical. The ancient customs pre- vail in many places, and here there will be special opportunity for the Americans to learn and appreciate the ancient ways. New ideas of courtship,