The end of the war will leave Great Britain and her Allies the practical
arbiters of the destinies of Europe and the Near East. The predominant
part played in the prosecution of the war by Great Britain and the
British Empire will entitle them to an equally decisive voice in the
councils of the Peace Conference. That proud position carries with it a
supreme privilege as well as a heavy moral responsibility. That the
voice and weight of Britain and Greater Britain will be cast, on all
occasions, on the side of justice and liberty, there cannot be the
slightest doubt. But however just and fair-minded a judge may be, it is
impossible for him to dispense justice without hearing all sides of the
case before him.
That is my plea for placing this statement of the cause of my afflicted
country before the British public, confident that, with its inherent
love of fair play, it will give my pleading a fair hearing.
I am anxious to make one point clear. I hold no authority and claim no
right whatever to speak for the nation or any national or local
organization of any kind. The views set forth in this little volume are
the views of an individual Armenian who feels, as do no doubt all his
compatriots, that the Armenian blood that has flowed so freely in this
war, imposes upon every living Armenian the sacred duty of employing all
legitimate means in his power to secure to the survivors the justice and
reparation to which their numerous fallen relatives have given them an
overwhelming and indisputable title. They are my views, and the
responsibility for them rests on myself and myself alone.
I have stated my views frankly. One or two of my friends were kind
enough to express the opinion that that might injure our cause. While I
appreciate their interest and solicitude, I do not share their fears. I
am convinced that the truth can never be unpopular with the British
public or prejudice a good cause.
I have, of necessity, had to quote freely from many sources, and I take
this opportunity to express my apologies and indebtedness to the
authorities quoted, in particular to Lord Bryce and Mr. Arnold J.
Toynbee for very kindly permitting me to quote extracts from the Blue
Book.