767.68119 T&M 3/8: Telegram
The Special Mission at Lausanne to the Secretary of State
[Received 2:17 p.m.]
168. The following statement submitted today to subcommittee on minorities with enclosures by Montgomery and by Barton and Peet which will be forwarded by mail55 unless Department instructs otherwise:
“The proposal for the establishment of an autonomous area to provide refuge for Armenians is one which has engaged the deep and sympathetic interest of large bodies of citizens in the United States. Nor can it be forgotten that the Allied Powers on several occasions have taken the position that a national home for Armenians was a wise provision to give justice and security.
The American delegation has made already declarations upon the humanitarian questions which are our legitimate interest. We now place before the subcommission evidence bearing upon one subject which has engaged much attention from public opinion in America.
We have asked the representatives of American societies and organizations for definition as to the territory and area proposed for a national Armenian home; as to guarantees of financing and the methods of equitable distribution of financing among the countries interested; [Page 941] as to the protection necessary and how it is proposed that this protection be given to guarantee any new autonomous area from attack or incursion; as to the number of Armenians that would be immediately available for settlers in the proposed area and as to other evidence tending toward a concrete program. And we place in the hands of the chairman of the subcommittee the material submitted to this delegation and ask that it be given full consideration.”
Following statement issued to press to whom were also handed copies of our statement quoted above and Montgomery’s memorandum:
“The American delegation though not negotiating a peace treaty nor submitting definite plans for adjustments to which the United States Government cannot become a signatory has stated to the conference its full approval of the demands of Lord Curzon and other Allied statesmen for any practicable plan for a national Armenian home and for an acceptance of such a plan. The American delegation has sought and obtained the views of those who represent the movement in the United States for a national Armenian home and who may be considered as representative experts upon the subject and has laid these views before the conference today. In addition to this and in behalf of the Armenians and Americans interested we have given assurances that the case for a national Armenian home would be put before the conference and have a hearing. We have contributed and will continue to contribute to insistence that Turkey shall give consideration to any practicable concrete plan which may be put forward.”