أوراق اللجنة الشرقية التابعة لمجلس الحرب [و‎‎١‎٧‎٤] (٥٤٤/٣٤٧)

13
MR. MONTAGU : Then that is quite satisfactory.
SIR JOHN BEALE : Does not this give us an opportunity of asking the Americans
what Mr. Hoover’s plan is ?
GENERAL SMUTS: No.
. SIR JOHN BEALE : We have no Ambassador here whom we can ask.
LORD ROBERT CECIL : I should not do that in connection with this matter.
This question of Armenian relief is one which excites a great deal of feeling.
SIR JOHN BEALE: It struck me that if we were acceding to their request, it
would be a good opportunity to put in a word without exciting feeling.
LORD ROBERT CECIL: Not with reference to this. I agree in general that we
ought to take the Mission, because they have said that it is a part of Mr. Hoover’s
general plan. That does, perhaps, open the door. Which telegram is that ?
SIR JOHN BEALE: It is No. 1454,* the one sent round with the Foreign Office
note.
GENERAL SMUTS : I think we ought to send food.
SIR JOHN BEALE : I have seen a paragraph in the papers, saying that a convoy
of several ships has started, and I believe it has sailed. I do not think they are
delaying it.
GENERAL SMUTS: The Hoover question and the food organisation ought to be
dealt with on a different basis. It should not be raised in connection with Armenian
relief.
SIR JOHN BEALE : It is part of the scheme. If you accept it as part of the
scheme
GENERAL SMUTS : We do not say that. We say we raise no objection to this
purely philanthropic proposal.
LORD ROBERT CECIL : Meanwhile General Clayton wants money.
GENERAL SMUTS : Yes, for purposes of relief.
LORD ROBERT CECIL : We ought to let anyone who wishes to do it send
money, and we ought to send some ourselves.
LORD CURZON : Are not these the conclusions of the Committee ? I will
summarise them in the most colloquial language. We say to the Americans, “ Go
ahead! ”
LORD ROBERT CECIL : Yes.
LORD CURZON : Secondly, “ Of course, you will consult the French.”
. LORD ROBERT CECIL: Yes.
LORD CURZON : Thirdly, “ We will give you every assistance in our power.”
LORD ROBERT CECIL : Yes.
LORD CURZON : “ And we will, on the lines agreed upon between Webb and
Gates, attach British officers to your Missions to help them, if they are so required.”
LORD ROBERT CECIL: Yes.
LORD CURZON : Fourthly, “ On the Southern side, our Armenian Fund will do
what it can to back up your efforts, by independent action.”
LORD ROBERT CECIL: Yes.
LORD CURZON : Fifthly, “ We do not raise the general question of food
supplies referred to in the telegram, but we treat this as an exception.”
LORD ROBERT CECIL : I should like to have that before me.
LORD CURZON : It is the note* of the 21st November, and has been circulated.
GENERAL SMUTS : “ Mr. Lansing adds that the foregoing plan enjoys the
complece approval of the Government of the United States, and is part of Mr. Hoover’s
food scheme.” That is information for us.
[365—41]
* E.C. 2540.
E