Great Falls daily tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1895-1921, 1920-05-25

luton in his message today, but senator's
pointed out that this measure was adopt
ed as substitute for one by Senator
Williams, Democrat, of Mississippi, pro
posing that the United States become
the mandatory for Armenia.
The president in his message inform
ed the senate that he had accepted the
invitation of the allied supreme council
that he undertake to arbitrate the very
difficult questions of the boundary be-
tween Turkey and Armenia" saying he
bad thought it his duty "to accept this
difficult and delicate task"
Waive Treaty Provisions.
Provisions for mandates over former
subject peoples is made in the treaty of
Versailles and it is set forth that such
mandates shall be executed under the
League of Nations, but since the United
States is not a member of the league,
administration officials said that if
congress decided the United States
should act for Armenia, the treaty provi-
sions would be waived in this case.
The question of mandate over
Armenia was discussed in the report of
the American mission to Armenia head
ed by Major General Harboard, which
recently was presented to the senate.
General Harboard estimated that ac-
ceptance of the mandate would neces-
state the presence of 10000 American
troops there Other estimates. however,
have placed it at less. once the Turkish
army had been demobilized in accord
ance with the terms of the Turkish
treaty.
After referring to the senate resolu-
ton, the president, in his message, said:
Voice of the People.
Il received and read this document
with great interest and with genuine
qualification. not only because it en-
bodied my own convictions and feelings
with regard to Armenia and its people,
but also, and more particularly because
it seemed to me the voice of the Am
erican people expressing their genuine
convictions and deep christian SYM
pathies, and inhmating the line of duty
which seemed to them to lie clearly be-
fore lis.
Early in the conferences at Paris it
was agreed that TO those colonies and
territories which as a consequence Of
the sovereignty of the states which form
erly governed them and which are in
habited by peoples not vet able to stand
by themselves under the strenuous con-
ditions of the modern world, there should
be applied the principle that the we'll
being and development of such peoples
form sacred trust OF civilization, and
that securities for the performance Of
this trust should be afforded
Accepts Arbitration Task.
1T Is in pursuance of this principle
aud with desire of affording Armenia
such advice and assistance that the
statesmen comforting at San Reno have
requested this government to
assume the duties of mandatory in
l may add, for the informa.
ton of the congress, that at the same
sitting, it was resolved to request the
president of the United States to under
take to arbitrate the difficult question
of the boundary between Turkey and
Armenia and the v1ayets of Erzerum,
rrebizond, Van and Bitlis. and it was
agreed to accept his decision thereupon,
as well as any stipulation he may pre-
scribe as TO access to the sea for the
Independent state Of Armenia. I have
thought it my duty to accept this diff
ficult and delicate task
In 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 mandate over Armenia.
Look to America.
II know from unmistakable evidence
rany peoples struggling towards indie
,endence ani peaceful life again, that
he United States is looked TO with
trust and confidence and
believe that it would do nothing less
han arrest the hopeful process of
civilization if we were TO refuse the
'equest TO become the helpful friends
Ind advisers of such of these people as
We may be authoritatiyely and formally
equested TO guide and assist.
Our recognition of the Independence
# Armenia will mean genuine liberty
md assured happiness for her people if
We fearlessly undertake the duties of
riidance and assistance involved in the
unctions of mandatory. 1t is, Slere-
ore, with the most earnest hopefulness
md with the feeling that / am giving
dvice from which the congress will not
willingly turn sway that i urge the ac-
eptance Of the invitation now formally
nd solernniy extended to us by tbs
ouncil at San Reno into whose hands
as passed she difficult task of composing
he many complexities and difficulties
f government in the one time Ottoman
mpire and the maintenance of order aud
,lerahle conditions of life in those por-
ons of that empire which it is no longer
ossble in the interest of civilization
!, leave under the government of tie
turkish authorities themselves"