, 1922-09-28
WHAT He MISSED
BY STAYING OUT
Suppose We Had Joined the Wilson
League Of Nations and Assumed
Armenian Mandate.

II the purpose OF former President
Wilson had been Carried into effect,
with reference to joining the League
OF Nations and accepting a mandate
over Armenia. what would have beer
the position of the United States In
the present emergency in the near
east?
The first purpose Of the league
covenant is to preserve peace. Eco
nomic measures are to be resorted
to first. but IL they fail military force
IS TO be called upon. 1t Is manifest
thai economic pressure would have no
deterrent effect on the Turks against
IT," Greeks. and it is up to the mem
beers OF the league to call on their
armies and navies II the Turk and
Greek combatants are to be sepa-
rated. But the fact Is that neither
Great Britain nor France has any
considerable number of troops at
hand.
Cost of Mandate
1t will be remembered that General
arbord made a thorough inyestiga-
ton two years ago of the whole
Armenian situation. He estimated at
the time that it would cost the
United States 1856. 90, 900 to accept
a mandate over that country for five
years. the cost for the first year be-
ing S275.0OO. 900. He recommended
a military force of two American di-
visions. or 5 5000 men. to maintain
order in the country. If the mandate
mad been accepted according to the
Wilson program, the United States
would be the only Christian nation
on the ground with an effective
force. although even that would be
anfirnIy IN n = a. a~-~ Il. H.
turkish army estimated 1t 200 900,
Article X Again
Being a member of the league. It
would have become the immediate
duty of the United States to threaten
Turkey with attack, If she did not
cease her campaign against Greece
also a member. 1t would have re-
no action Of the other men,
bers Of the league to determine that |
course - the duty of each individual
being clearly indicated in
article X of the covenant. Armenia |
Is too far removed from the Gene of
the present fighting to have made it
possible for an American army to
join with the Greeks in meeting the
but 1t would have been feas-
ible for our two divisions to have
conducted a counter demonstration
against Turkey along the Armenian
frontier. which would have had the
prompt effect Of calling a halt to
in Asia Minor while the
turks met the new menace in the
east.
Then War With Turkey
Then the United States would have
found herself launched in a war with
And not only Turkey but
nrnhn h1v nuntnct Yl,,crip or ,,~1 Pa-I
it is understood that the Soviets are
going to assist the Turks in the re-
of Constantinople. 1t is easy
conjecture the further possibilities.
Bulgaria is likely to join with the
Turks against the Greeks. and 1t is
prediction of men familiar
with near eastern affairs that the
will resolve itself into a re-
ligiOus war. with the Moslem coun-
OF Turkey Bulgaria, Egypt. Pal
nstine. MesOpotamia and India ar
rHyed against the Christian World.
would the United States have
in that situation? The two
= ne divisions In Armenia would have
been wiped out long before REIN
could have reached them,
would have been embarked on a
long and dreary war. probably many
more costly in men and money
han the world war.
y The Senate Was Wise
These are not fanciful imaginings.
They are the present and probably
future situations into which the ma
honor OF the United States
have forced our country had it
assumed the international RESPONSE
urged upon it by Mr.. Wilson.
the Republican senate
stood steadfastly against such en-
tapglements, and every day brings
further proof of far seeing wisdom OF
the action.