The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-01-08
PRESIDENT TO
ACT AS MEDIATOR
Going Ahead With Plans
for TurcO-Armenian
Settlement
MORGENTHAU MAY
PAY OWN EXPENSES
Fact that the Present Administration
Closes March Unlikely to Interfere
With Wilson's Plan to Help League of
Nations Settle Dispute.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
Especial Despatch to The ReformerD
Copyright 1921.
WASHINGTON. Jan. S.-President
Wilson plans to go ahead with his work
of mediation as between Armenia and
the Turkish nationalists. So far as the
information in official quarters is con
cerned there is no basis for the report
that the British and French governments
are trying to discourage Mr.. Wilson
proceeding with the task since he is to
leave the presidency within the next six
weeks. The suggestion was made by
Prime Minister Lloyd George that Mr.
Wilson designate the American high
commissioner at Constantinople 20 act
for him and this has given rise to the
belief that the British government
wanted to get the task of mediation
into official channels since the Amer
lean high commissioner is an officer of
the department of state and as such
would continue in Office beyond March
and his acts would be those of the
United States government.
But it is now officially explained that
the prime minister's suggestion was made
on Dec. in a note to the council of
the league of nations before word reached
the other side that Mr.. Wilson had de-
cided to appoint former Ambassador
Henry Morgenthau The note reached
here only a few days ago, having been
forwarded through the council of the
league and thus delayed. British Off
Gals here say the suggestion was made
as a supplementary rather than an al
tentative proposal and that there was
no desire on the part of the prime minis
ter TO change the spirit of the decision
gf
son as mediator. 1t is pointed out at
the state department that the league
council formally acknowledged Mr. Viii
sons message in which he said he could
not act for the government of the
United States but only as n private in
diyidual and could not, of course, fur
niSh troops or any other power to back
up the decisions he might make. Mr..
Wilson, moreover, asked for the moral
support of all the governments on the
council of the league so that his deci-
sions would be backed up. The league
in acknowledging Mr.. Wilson's message,
replied that it would be glad to have
him serve.
From this exchange of messages Off
Gals here are proceeding on the theory
that all is smooth and that the govern
ments of Europe fully understand the
unique position in which Mr.. Wilson
is placed by reason of his retirement
of course, hardly beginning could be
made in the task of mediation. 1t is
understood that for the time being, at
least, Mr.. Morgenthau, who viii repre-
sent the president in the negotiations be-
tween the Armenians and Turkish ma
tionalists. will pay his own expenses
though no doubt the league of nations
will subsequently reimburse him.
1t is not improbable that Mr.. Wilson
may ask the next administration to con-
tinue the work of mediation if the mat
ter requires governmental machinery and
cannot be handled as a personal media
ton though this is not expected There
have been many instances in which dis
tinguished statesmen and juriSts have
been requested to act as mediators in
| international disputes and their govern
ments have been in no way involved. 1t
/ is the reliance of both sides in the fair
| ness of the individual rather than the
/ physical help of his government which
/ is most desired in mediating disputes.