The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-12-26
lFDYIdsuco lrmsnisns Express Their
Opinion Of The Sultan.
TORTURE AWAITS THE RETURNED.
Eev. II. sargarakian OF the Armenian
Church Talks About the sultan and
MS Recent Edict-Iurksy Con-
servative Country.

The case, detailed at length i'm THE
NEWS Friday, of Rev. q. III. Krikorian,
the Armenian missionary of Springfield,
Mass, who has been forbidden access 10
his native country because he has become
. naturalized American citizen,
has called forth great deal OF
comment from the Armenian population
OF this city, many of whom are naturalized
and are suffering the same exclusion from
their native land. A representative of
THE News visited several OF them
last night and obtained their views on
the radical pronunciamento OF the
aultan The opinion OF Rev. Mr.. III. Sar-
fsrakian, who teaches the evening school
at the America street annex at the corner
OF Federal and Dean streets may be taken
as fairly representative OF the
sentiment of the Armenian people
concerning this perplexing problem.
Dir. Sargarakian is graduate OF the Hart
ford seminary and is pastor OF the little
Armenian congregation that meets every
Sunday in the Beniflcent Congregational
church. He has spent many years in
America and has intelligent views on
American institutions.
The reporter showed him the article re-
1ating TO DIR. Krikorian's predicament and
asked what the probable outcome of the
edict would be and its effect upon Pr3vi-
dence Armenians.
ADespotic Restriction.
ssThe course OF the sultan is no surprise
20 me, although it may sound strange to
liberal minded America" said Mr.. Sar-
garakian. 'The sultan Is a barbarous and
despotic monarch. He fears intensely
the Introduction of Republican liberal
ideas. He has always opposed emigration
being solicitous for the safety
Of his scepter IL his people
get sway from home long enough TO inn
bibe modern ideas OF civilized govern
ment. He bitterly opposes anything that
tends to break down his beloved conser-
vatism OF despotic ideas. He discourages
even transitory visits OF his subjects
to this country. A friend OF
mine who has been in thiG country long
time Is in much the same predicament as
Mr.. Krikorian. He has taken out his
second papers and desires to bring his
wife and family over here to live with
lutely forbids. He can do
nothing. He dare not visit the mother
country lest the wrath OF the sultan be
js no trifiing matter. For my own part /
have no desire to go back to Turkey and
the edict OF the sultan does not effect me
personally"
"Are the majority of naturalized Arme-
nians desirous OF taking up permanent
residence In this country?"
All " ant to Stay Here.
"Why shouldn't they?" asked Mr.. Sar-
karakian. "America offers many induce
ments for permanent residence that cam
not be found in the mother country. We
enjoy freedom here, have plenty to eat
and wear and are not harassed by the in |
demand for military service |
chat makes lie a burden to US in the old |
country. Turkey Is still in the medieval |
ages so far as all the advantages |
Df invention, enlightenment and religious
freedom are concerned. The sultan is
sxceedingly hostile to everything that
Dmacks OF modern progress. He loaths
} railroad, despises electricity and curses
)he man who invented tide telephone and
Eelegraph. he Is conservative TO an
degree. Military service is his
god, and torture is the lot OF the man who
does not give up the best year OF his life
~ . SWOfu utttust OF the
vultan's sacred rights and possessions"
"Do naturalized subjects run personal
risks by returning to Turkey under the
ban Of this edict?" he was asked
"The sultan would probably provide
Them an entertainment in the shape of
torture TO the death. Banishment would
hardly constitute sufficient punishment
IN the sultan's eyes for so heinous an
1nence as that OF taking
put naturalization papers to the
government. Most natives
Df America know what the Sultan's otor-
lures" mean, and do not desire TO incur
Them. do not think that there are any
Armenians In this city who have the
slightest wish to return home and TO them
The sultan's edict is a matter of indiffer-
cnce. A few who have wives and child
rem in the old country OF course
want to get them over here as soon as
possible and to these the sultan's attitude
will be a serious matter. There are no i'm
jucemcnts for them to return to Armenia.
Although it is one OF the most fertile