New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-05-25

that the statesmen conferrinp at
San Reno have formally requested
this government to assume the
duties of mandatory in Armenia. I
may add, for the information of the
Congress, that at the same sitting it
was resolved to request the Presi-
dent of the United States to under
take to arbitrate the difficult ques-
ton OF the boundary between Turkey
and Armenia and the Vilayets of
Erzerum, Trebizond, Van and Bitlis,
and it was agreed to accept his de-
clslon thereupon, as we'll as any
stipulation he may prescribe as to
access to the sea for the independent
state of Armenia.
Duty to Accept Task
I'm pursuance of this action, it
was resolved to emb0ay in the treaty
with Turkey, now under final consid-
GRAFTON, a provision that Turkey
and Armenia and the other high con-
tracing parties agree to refer to the
arbitration of the President of the
United States of America the ques-
ton of the boundary between Turkey
and Armenia in the Vilayets of Erze-
rum, Trebzond, Van and Bitlis, and
to accept his decision thereupon, as
we'll as any stipulations he may pre-
scribe as to access to the sea for the
independent state of Armenia; pend
ing that decision the boundaries of
Turkey and Armenia to remain as at
present. l have thought it my duty
to accept this difficult and delicate
task.
"1n response to the invitation Of
the council at San Reno, I urgently
advise and request that the Congress
grant the Executive power to accept
for the United States a mandate over
Armenia.
Sympathy for Struggling People
II make this suggestion in the
earnest belief that it will be the wish
of the people of the United States
St~v ShAo oAIOQid UC QOIlc 1Hc SYM
pathy with Armenia has proceeded
from no single portion of our peo-
Pile. but has come with extraordinary
spontaneity and sincerity from the
whole of the great body Of Christian
men and women in this country, by
whose freewll offerings Armenia
has practically been saved at the
most critical juncture of its exist
ence. At their hearts this great and
generous people have made the cause
of Armenia their own.
at is to this people and to their
government that the hopes and earn
est expectations of the struggling
people of Armenia turn as they now
emerge from a period of indescrib-
able suffering and peril, and l hope
that the Congress will think it wise
to meet this hope and expectation
with the utmost liberality. l know
from unmistakable evidence given
by responsible representatives of
many peoples struggling toward in
dependence and peaceful life again
that the government of the United
States is looked to with extraordi-
nary trust and confidence, and ! be-
lieve that it would do nothing less
than arrest the hopeful processes of
civilization, if we were to refuse the
request to become the helpful friends
and advisers of such of these people
as we may be authoritatvely and
formally requested to guide and
assist
Will Mean General Liberty
Il am conscious that l am urging
upon the Congress a very critical
choice, but l make the suggestion in
the confidence that l am speaking in
the spirit and in accordance with the
wishes of the greatest of the Chris
tian peoples. The sympathy for Ar
menia among our people has sprung
from untainted consciences, pure
Christian faith and an earnest de-
sire to see Christian people every
where succored in their time of suf-
fering and lifted from their abiect
subjection and distress and enabled
to stand upon their feet and take
their place among the free nations
of the world.
Our recognition of the indepen
ence of Armenia will mean genuine
liberty and assured happiness for
her people if we fearlessly undertake
the duties of guidance and assistance
involved ia the functions of a man
datary.
at is, therefore, with the most
earnest hopefulness and with the
feeling that | am giving advice from
which the Congress will not willingly
turn away, that l urge the acceptance
of the invitation now formally and
solemnly extended to US by the coun-
Gil at San Reno, into whose hands
has passed the fficult task of COM
posing the many complexities and
diificuities of government in the one
time Ottoman Empire and the main
tenance of order and tolerable con-
ditions of life in those portions of
that empire which it is no longer
possible in the interest of civil:za-
tion to leave under the government
OF the Turkish authorities. them
selves"
--e-
hest EA0f6. Wal Hfok .
Csnturv Thea Ri"Ursf M,,s-sl nit ,r Tmr., ~ g..