53. Mr. PALMERasked the Prime Minister whether, seeing that the United States, which is to delimit the boundaries of Armenia, has refused to accept the mandatory for Armenia, he will consider the advisability of recommending to the Allies that no power shall delimit boundaries which does not also undertake the responsibility of protecting such boundaries when delimited and accepting full mandatory duties?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe hon. Member is labouring under a misconception. The President of the United States, in his personal capacity, was asked to delimit the boundaries of Armenia, and I am glad to say he has accepted the task. He was further asked, as head of the United States Government, whether America would accept the mandate (not the "mandatory") for Armenia. This involved reference to Congress, which has, unfor- 402 tunately refused. But I am unable to agree that this refusal of the United States Government to accept the burden of the mandate should preclude His Majesty's Government and their Allies from submitting to the arbitration of President Wilson the difficult question of the boundaries of the Armenian State.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYMay I ask the meaning of the phrase, to do this "in his personal capacity," as distinguished from his official capacity?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI should have thought my hon. Friend knew that as well as I.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYAs President Wilson or Mr. Wilson?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThat is a distinction which it would be very difficult to draw. He is President and he is Mr. Wilson.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIn the likely event of the United States refusing the mandate, are we to leave the Armenians to their devices or are we to consider any other mandatory, having regard to the fact that it will probably end with the mandate being taken by Soviet Russia?
Mr. PALMERIn view of the fact that America has already refused the mandate, can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House whether this country will be compelled to undertake that duty?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThat is an important question, but I think I can say at once that we shall not undertake it.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYThere is no oil there.