The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-01-08

|IlNS TOGO
AHEAD WITH.
MEDIATION
|, yr.sldent Will Continue
Armenian Task After
His Retirement.
m DAVID LAWRENCE.
fcnocial to The Argus.l


Warrington, Jan. Z. = President
yilson plans to 60 ahead with his
M Of mediation as between Ar
snis and the Turkish natl, nal
~ So far as the information in
Acisl quarters here is concerned.
| tAere Is no basis for the report that
In British and French govern
nents ire trying to discourage Mr..
wilson from proceeding with the
iuk since he is to leave the presi-
dency within the next six weeks.
| me suggestion was made by Prime
Minister Lloyd George that Mr..
wilson designate the American
hkh commissioner at Constantine
| pk to act for him and this has
dSen rise to the belief that the
Bitish government wanted to get
u task Of mediation into official
clsanels since the American high
commissioner is an officer Of the
department Of state and as such
would continue in Office beyond
Nalch 4 and his acts would be
those Of the United States govern
uent.
But II is now officially explained
that the prime minister's sugges-
ticu was made OH Dec. 2 in a note
to the council of the League of Ma
| tons before word reached the other
side that Mr.. Wilson had decided
! b appoint Former Ambassador
Henry Morgenthau. The note
reached here only a few days ago,
hving been forwarded through the
council Of the league and thus de-
hysd. British officials here say
Ne suggestion was made as a sup
kamentary rather than an alt ma
{tip proposal and that there was
10 desire on the part Of the prime
minister to change the spirit of the
detesion Of the league council to
iccept Nr. Wilson as mediator.
It is pointed out at the state de-
prtment that the league council
formally acknowledged Mr.. Will
ms message in which he said he
csid not act for the government
I The United States but only as a
ldMte Individual and could not of
WuSe furnish troops or any other
lcssr 70 back up the decisions he
aight make. Mr.. Wilson moreover
lsaed ". the moral support If all
ee governments on the council Of
ne league so that his decisions
would be backed up. The league in
ktnowledging MIR. Wilson's mes
nge replied that it would be glad
. have him serve.
Wilson's Position.
Fnm this exchange Of messages,
eials here are proceeding on the
uscry that all is smooth and that
~ governments Of Europe fully
4aerstand the Unique position in
leh President Wilson is placed
reason of his retirement from
20 on March by which time of
uise hardly beginning could be
~ N the task of mediation. 1t
mderstood that for the time be-
at least Mr.. Morgenthau. who
~ represent the president
the negotiations between
Arnlenians and Turkish
aucnalists will pay his own ex-
ses though no doubt the League
Aations will subsequently reim-
'arse him.
Is not improbable that Mr..
oa may ask the next admins
sseon to continue the work Of
A'ion il the matter requires
~,Inmt. tai machinery and can
~ ", oe handled as a personal medi-
M tnough this is not expected
~ e nave been many instances in
ssEn distinguished statesmen and
lss have been requested to act
@eeiators in international dis
and their governments have
- - ~ no way involved. 1t is the
.aee OF both sides in the fair.
81 the individual rather than
PHYSICAL help of his govern.
-. which is most desired in
atiag disputes.
Approve Decision.
.as Presidents decision to be.
~ Mediator was approved pret.
,.laily BY the American press
-, pective of party ON the ground
= .uything that might be- done te
.ae cause of the Armenian
ps,s % VINO have suffered so mucf
q. oe a step toward solving
E eastern problem whert
a missionaries have la
a 70 long to stimulate the pro
- Of civilization.
BANKS DECREASE.