New-York tribune., 1921-01-23
Pledge to Insure Musco-
vites Against Invasion
Insisted On as Condi-
ton for His Mediation
People Must Work
Out.Own Destiny
Program Held to Promise
Peace ON All Borders,
Effort Otherwise Vain
By Carter Field

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22.-Gen-
eral pacification of the Russian bor-
derlands as necessary step toward
mediation Of the Turkish issue is
urged in note which President
Wilson to-day sent to the League of
Nations. The President, replying to
proposals concerning his mediation
OF the Turkish-Armenia boundary
dispute, demands as preliminary to
that undertaking a guaranty that
the great powers will not violate
Russia's territory while she is in her
present stricken condition, and will
not permit states bordering on Rus
sia to attack the Bolsheviki. In this
way, the President declares. it will
be shown whether the Bolsheviki de-
sire peace.
Until some such guaranty against
attacks on Russia is given the Pres
ldent will not send Henry Morgen-
thau abroad. MIR. Morganrnau had
been chosen by the President to act
as mediator or the boundary 1ispute.
The Presidents decision was trans-
mitted to Paul Hymans, president of
the Assembly of the League of Ma
tions, in leRthy communication
from Acting Secretary of State Nor
man II. Davis. The document described
Armenia to be under the control Of
Soviet Russia. and asserted that any
mediation proceedings must therefore
be based on the future policy OF the
great powers toward Russia.
Armenia Merely a Detail
President Wilson's view is that tho
Armenian situation is only one detail
of the vast Russian problem, and he
contends that it would be futile to at
tempt the pacifcation and independ-
ence OF Armenia without establishing
definitely an Allied policy toward ru-
ture anti-Russian military moves.
The American answer to the various
suggestions of the League of Nations
members as to how to proceed in ar
bitrating the controversies batween the
Armenians and the Kemalists takes A
positive position against any further
military action directed against the
Bolsheviki, and holds that peace can
only be restored by the Allied govern
ments adopting policy of hands off
and thus enabling the Russian peoples
within the empire and those composing
the struggling new border states to ac-
complish complete pacification.
The American note mDh1flca1lu "a.
iterates the view of the present Admin
istration that the Bolsheviki are "a VIC.
lent and tyrannical minority by no
means representing the real desires
and purposes of the Russian people,"
but with equal emphasis Mr.. Wilson
contends that armed invasion is not
the way to bring peace to the people
of Russia"
President Wilson sums up his ans
swer to the leagues invitation to medi-
ate in Armenia by suggesting that the
whole Russian-Armenian-T Turkish tam
gle can be solved only by the great
powers agreeing to withhold support
to any of the border states attempting
military operations against the Bolshe-
wiki, and thus serve notice on Russia
that peace is possible from within. The
President consents to send Mr.. Morgen-
thau on the leagues mission if the
moral and diplomatic support in the
undertaking.
Text of Mr.. Wilson's Note
The text of the Presidents note, as
transmitted by Acting Secretary
Davis. follows:
"Your telegram of December 26,
1920, transmitting a message received
by the Council from the British gov
ernment, concerning Armenia, stating
that Armenia is reported to be under
the control of Soviet Russia, and sug-
gesting that the President instruct the
American High Commissioner at Con-
stantinople to take up the matter with
the Allied High Commissioners, has
been received and read with interest
by the President, who instructs ME to
reply as follows:
"The President does not deem It.
practicable to instruct the American
High Commissioner at Cons.antinopie
to act for him in this matter. AS he
stated in my telegram of December 1e,
1920, he has chosen the Honorable
Henry Morgenthau, who has been pre-
pared to act for him in Such steps as
may be taken. Before instructing him
to proceed. however the President has
been awaiting the definite assurances
and information from all the principal
po"eiS Interested as requested IN MS
cable of November 80, 1920, defining
the conditions under which be would
erceavor to mediate.
"The message From the British Prime
Minister transmitted BY you on De-
cember 26 would seem to indicate the
mpracticablity or futilty OF the Pres
dents addressing himself, at least in
the first instance. to the Armenians and
Kemalists. The President is inclined
to share this view and to feel that no
solution can be had without first get
ting at the source of the trouble
Trouble Referred to Treaty
Pending receipt cf information and
assurances requested by the President
in his telegram of November 80. 1920,
is decrecd TiSe to state the problem
as the President views IT, its causes
and possible remedies 1t would an
pear that the Immediate ca,,sa ~