Miscellaneous papers on the Near and Middle East [‎27r] (53/70)

at the forthcoming Conference#
Here it may be said that previous objections to arming
the Armenians appear untenable if \rmeni?i is to be formed into
an independont State, and, incidentally, this question is
affected by the Bolehevic menace in r Jrane-Ca^pia, tfhich makes
the arming of the Armenians more desirable than heretofore#
(f) It must be made quite clear to the jfrench that
certain Turkish organized units and sympathisers still remain
in the "Blue” zone, and that it will be for the jj'ronch Govern
ment to deal with these in case of opposition.
(g) Should it be decided to establish the independence of
Georgia and Azerbaijan, the British representative with General
Denikin should be given timely warning to prepare the field and
to make it clear to Denikin that ho .fill,lose Allied official
support if he resists the policy of tHe Peace Conference in this
respect#
It is for consideration whether the independence of these
two States should be declared simultaneously with that of
Armenia or whether this point is immaterial. But at first sight
it seems probable that if all three countries were given their
independence at the same tit.e they would have less incentive to
jealousy of each other and mutual aggression.
8. The above can only be a rough sketch to illustrate the
considerations involved# These will doubtless be developed during
the process of negotiations, but it. i. hoped that this explarmtion
may provide warning against what is most to be feared, namely,
a premature public announcement of the decisions regarding Turkey.
If the argument is accepted as correct and reasonable it would
appear to be the best policy to take the Press, as far as porrible,
in to the confidence of the Peace Conference, but to put them on
their