Papers written by Curzon on the Near and Middle East [‎50r] (99/348)

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the efficient organisation of the new State. The Council would do its best to
facilitate such an arangement by recommending to the Assembly of the League that
it should endeavour to obtain collectively from the countries of which it is composed
the necessary financial guarantees for the Mandatory State. It is possible, however,
that these negotiations might fail. It is conceivable, though it is to be hoped not
probable, that no State would be willing to assume the responsibilitiesof a mandate for
Armenia. In that event, the Council of the League would not cease to interest itself
in the fate of Armenia. On the contrary, it would be prepared to discuss in
conjunction with the Supreme Council whether, in that unfortunate event, other
measures could be devised for the protection of the Armenian State.
Sunderland House, Curzon Street, London, W. 1,
Afril 14, 1920.
III.
(A. J.-185. Confidential.)
Re fly to the League of Nations.
(Approved by the Supreme Council at San Remo on April 26, 1920. I.C.P.-109 (2).)
The Supreme Council, sitting at San Remo, has received with gratification the
memorandum, dated 11th April, of the Council of the League of Nations respecting
the extent to which the League might be able and willing to co-operate in assuring
the future of Armenia, The Allied Governments desire to express their gratitude
for the response of the Council of the League in a matter which the memorandum
rightly describes as an end worthy of effort and sacrifice upon the part of the
civilised Powers of the world.
Before referring to the various questions formulated by the Council of the
League, the Supreme Council desires to rectify a misapprehension which appears
in the early part of the memorandum under a reply. It was the intention of the
Allied Governments to enquire as to the degree of support and assistance which
might be expected from the League in the establishment of an Armenian State upon
a safe and independent basis rather than to suggest that the League should itself
assume a mandate for this purpose. It is realised that, as pointed out in the
memorandum, the League is not a State and has as yet no army and no finances, and
the Supreme Council fully agrees that the object in view could best be assured if a
member of the League or some other Power could be found willing to accept the
mandate for Armenia. •
The Supreme Council has, as will be seen, been guided by this view and has
indeed felt that it would be failing in its duty if it did not make a final effort in the
direction suggested. In reviewing the sources to which it might appeal, one country
has obviously been indicated not only by its natural capacities but by the fact that
these have been considerably less burdened by the events of the past six years than
those of the other Allied and Associated Powers. The resources of the United States
are relatively unimpaired and their sympathy with the Armenian cause has been
constantly manifested.
These considerations have prompted the Supreme Council to address itself to
President Wilson. It has frequently been suggested during the Peace Conference
that the mandate for Armenia might be undertaken by the United States, but no
definite offer has been made or rejected. The Supreme Council has deemed that the
moment has now come when this step should be made. At its sitting of the 25th April
it was agreed—
(a.) To make an appeal to President Wilson that the United States of America
should accept a mandate for Armenia within the limits set forth in
Part III, Section V of the first print of the draft Treaty of Peace with
Turkey.
(b.) That, whatever may be the answer of the United States Government on
the subject of the mandate the President of the United States should be
asked to arbitrate on the boundaries of Armenia as set forth in the draft