867.4016/820: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Special Mission at Lausanne
65. Near East Relief has communicated following telegram received from Peet, Barton, Montgomery:
“Several hundred thousand Armenian refugees orphans in Syria, Greece Constantinople on the road elsewhere have no abiding place and without some officially designated territory will become homeless wanderers dependent upon Christian benevolence. Allied demand Armenian protected area meeting great opposition. Decisive instructions from Washington to delegation apparently needed.”
[Paraphrase.] What demands for a protected area for the Armenians have been submitted to the conference by the Allies? Of course the Department would wish to have you support any practicable proposal which might give promise of real assistance to the Armenians. The Department would like to be informed of any specific proposals for a territorial home for the Armenians which are believed to be practicable. [End paraphrase.]