The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-08-19
LOOKING TOWARDS ARMENIA.


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LOOKING TOWARDS ARMENIA.
The German emperor is on tour to
Russia to visit his bon frcre, the car. and
discuss with him the situation of Europe,
if not of the Old World. The mighty po-
tentate of the Teutons and the autocrat of
all the Russias are exchanging their cores
ponding views in the historic city of Narva.
where in 1702 that bold adven turer Charles
XII. of Sweden defeated Russian army
many times superior to his own. Let the
Swedes defeat Us" said Peter the Great;
" we will soon know how to defeat them"
And really few years afterward Charles's
army was annihilated and Sweden ceased
to be great power.
Times change. and now the great coun-
try of the car has no fear of another
Narva. no fear of Sweden, but who knows
if in the near future Alexander of Russia
and William of Germany will not fight
each other? Sweden has ceased to be q
rival, but a far more powerful antagonist
has appeared-the new German empire.
Everyone who follows the situation in
Europe knows that a gigantic struggle
must take place sooner or later, and,
strangely enough, the causes of the future
war are to be looked for not in any of the
first-class powers but in two insignificant
Armenia in Asia. and Bulgaria
in Europe. In both cases Russia will be
the chief factor, and in both cases other
countries will be involved in the conflict.
The meeting of the two emperors is of the
greatest importance. for the lives of thou
sands of people depends upon the issue.
Let us discuss now the causes of the
probable war: On the boundary between
Russia. Turkey and Persia live the Armen-
ians, very ancient nation. and their couH-
try, Armenia. is divided between the three
powers mentioned, the largest part be-
longing, however. to Turkey. Originally
a brave and warlike people. they are now
very peaceful. and very much adapted to
commerce. In fact, the merchants and
bankers in Turkey are either Greeks or
and there are over 100000 Ar
in Constantinople alone. their
number in the Ottoman empire being over
two millions and half.
The Armenians became Christians very
early. They claim even that their churc b
is the oldest in the world. However, the
Armenian church has certain similarity
with the orthodox Greek church, and for
this reason, If they are prosecuted by the
Turks. they always seek the protection of
Russia.
Unfortunately for Turkey, the latest
at Erzeroum with bloodshed be.
tween the Christians and Moslems has let
loose all the religious passions and gives an
to Russia to interfere. The
A 81 (, Lnx e.,
years from the villainies of certain Kurd,
the Infamous Moussa Bey. but they have
been reduced to the utmost depths of alb
iect helplessness by the evidence that
government officials and even the sultan
himself side against them in all suits
brought for redress. In all the region of
Erzeroum systematic course of police
espionage has been introduced. with the
opening of letters in the post, the search
ing of all Armenians who travel, etc. The
Kurds cut their green wheat for fodder and
burn their grain-stores for malice, and
then in order further to provide against the
populace becoming fat and wealthy, they
levy contributions from door to
door for the benefit of a
syndicate of local chiefs. The latest out
rage, however, opened possibilities of
grave international complications. A spy
sent telegram to the authorities in Con-
declaring that in certain place
In the Armenian cathedral of Erzeroum q
vast store of arms was secreted and tn at the
Armenians awaited favorable opportun-
ity for a rising. The result was that orders
were sent to search the Armenian cathe-
dral for arms. This order was carried out
i'm the presence of the governor general
and the Armenian bishop. The church
was ransacked, and even the affairs over
hauled, but nothing was found. The Ar
menians were, naturally enough. indig-
nant at the PROCLAMATION of the church, and
this caused the recent bloodshed in which
many Armenians were killed. Now, as
usual in such cases. the Russians profit by
the opportunity given to them. They de-
mand from Turkey the instant payment of
the arrears of the war indemnity.
a demand that the porte finds
it impossible to obey. Besides, the
Russians are sending troops to the
Caucasus and an immense amount of
arms, ammunition and provisions passes
day after day through the city OF Batoum
towards Armenia. Does il mean peace or
war?
The Armenians are trying even to create
sympathy in the United States. Accord
ing to the latest dispatches a movement
originated in Vienna to forward petition
to President Harrison. To this movement
the Americans living in the United States
responded. and the Armenian colony in
New York has already forwarded petition
to President Harrison, calling his attention
to the Turkish misgovernment in Armenia.
The petition says further that while the
United States could not fore IDLY interfere
a strong expression of American indigna-
ton. particularly with official sanction,
would make profound impression in Eu-
rope and lead to the active Intervention of
those Christian powers which are pledged
To amend Turkish misgovernmenti in Arme-
MIA.
twill be seen from this that the situa-
ton in Armenia is very alarming, and un.
doubtedly it will be discussed at the con-
ference of the two emperors. Ne political
event is attended by SO much interest as
this visit of the German emperor to the
car. Russia will be anxious to conciliate
Germany and TO secure its neutrality
towards Russia's Eastern policy. But how
is it possible England supports Turkey.
not. of course in its atrocities, and it is
believed in London that neither Rus
sian Establishments nor covert menaces
can win the kaiser from England The
Russian occupation Of Erzerourn means
war with Turker, and war with Turkey
means sfinis Turcie." Now the annihils-