The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-06-11
1T NEEDS A NEW RELIGION
How Turkey Is Held Down by the Ty-
rannical M0hammedan and His Greed.
Christianity Would Revolutionizs That Gov
eminent and Give the People Freedom
They Desire-An Opinion of America

student in the Ohio Wesleyan University, 10 in
the city. Ee is educating himself at that insti-
tuition and has been excused during the present
college term to engage in business pursuits. for
the purpose Of supporting himself during the
coming year. He believes in making bis own
way. and has adhered TO that maxim In the mat
ter of securing his education. A gentle
man of talent and close observation.
he is quite IN interesting taIker on American
and European affairs. Discussing the political
situation in Europe he said to Journal re-
porter last night that he believed the next thrse
years would see decided change in the political
condition of Turkey. Nothing but English
money and English influence are keeping the
government up to-day. When they are with
drawn everything will fall to pieces. my
country. he continued. 'fs bankrupt irretriev-
ably. 1t is unable to pay the interest
even on its debt, and what is worse. things are
gradually sinking deeper into ruin and there
seems to be no immediate hope Of anything
better"
What hope do you have from change In your
government"
I'VE shall bsffreed from q tyranny that is
odious and extremely oppressive. The Sultan
to-day 10 living in opulence and magnifcence
while the people In many places starving.
How can any change make US worsel We are
tired Of the present order of things and would
hail change with delight One thing that
holds Turkey mp to-day is the fact that the Mo-
hammedan religion and the Turkish
government are sointimately joined together that
the obstruction of one means the death Of the
other. Destroy tho government, and it is .
death blow to the religion. That 10 the only
reason that holds the people OF Turkey to the
present regime. II they could destroy their
government or have 1t overthrown By any out
side nation and still preserve their religion. they
would be practically unanimous for that, but
they see, and clearly, too that change ia the
government means the end of Mohammedism.n
"But no Christian nation would attempt TO
force religion upon them or expel their own by
forcsP
"Ab. IL 10 the work of earnest mission aries,
schools and colleges they fear-that is the Mo-
hsmmedan priests. They know that these will
bring shout the change"
Then you would consider it great benefit
Tor any Christian nation to overturn the present
Turkish government
why. certainly. God intends that shall be
done. believe that firmly. All the Indications
are that Mohammedism must CO. We want the
religion, the government, the civilization that
Us change Of governments and
the freedom in everything that you
have and that religion which has been a curse to
Us 30 long will DO driven back into Asia, there
to be followed and destroyed by the truths Of
Christianity. The last war We had-the Turko-
Russiau-was an educator Of the Turkish people
The Crimean war aid not have that effect
Christian nations in it were barbarous and
cruel But in the last one orr soldiers were
50 kindly treated by the Russians when capt
ured. that the people came TO believe that in
tercourse with them and civilizat on like the
rest OF Europe, with even Mohammedism
left out was not so bad thing after alI-iu fact
infinitely better than anything they had
ever enjoyed before. The Russians fed our
soldiers when they were hungry, they bound up
their wounds. they ministered to their comfort
IN many wars, and these facts have had
powerful influence In opening the eyes Of the
Turkish people. In showing them that the rest
or the world Is enjoying a better government
and better religion than they have. The
revolution is bound to come. Every indication
points that way. do not expect 70 sec it de-
ferred beyond three years The Bulgarian
question contains the seed Of the revelation; is
Is only question Of time when full development
Will come about"
Speaking of America and American civiliza-
ton. Mr.. fenovkisr said: IL do not believe
the Americans appreciate their country and
their advantages Let them go to the countries
Of the East anu live there a while and suffer
what the people have TO suffer there aud they
will fall down and kiss their native shores
when they land at New York. There Is such a
freedom. such an equality. such kindness and
consideration that everywhere prevails here
90 radically different from anything you meet
with there. That Ia one of the most charming
things OF your NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. that is duo
TO our religioo, yet you do not see it at least
you do nos seem to appreciate il. One in my
position can see all these things much mere
plainly than you can. You take these things for
granted. and attribute them to other causes but
the real one; the true one is Christianity, and
had all of you had my experiences you could see
It plainly That is one reason am in this coun-
try. You do not suppose would leave wife and
children and WORK away in this country for sew
eral years of my life, if / did not so deeply want
70 give to my country and my countrymen the
great blessings that you enjoy here. However.
you are not without your vices here. Don't
think that because We so far behind you in
almost everything that We are ahead of you in
nothing
I'm what respect do you consider that you are
superior to usI'
envy. We are the best Prohibitiouists in the
world. Among all those millions of Mohamme-
dams there Is absolutely no drinking in compari-
son with what you do here. Monomet prohibit
ed his people from drink and that command is
religiously obeved. even to this day. So you
see We are vastly ahead of you in ons respect
l might mention many other little points. but
nothing to compare with the excelences one
sees here on all sides. A wonderful country
your railroad systems. your telegraph systems,
the growth OF your eitIes-wEy, it is simply mi
raculous / couldn't believe il all il | hadn's
seen it with my own eyes"
Mr.. Yenovkian will remain in the city several
days