The herald., 1894-02-12

want wives, Bwooop down on some Ar
menian neighborhood and bear away all
the good looking young women they can
find. In several instances the Kurds
have broken in on wedding parties and
carried the brides off from the feast or
church. 1t is believed that the Hurd
tribesmen nearly all have wives, judging
from the number stolen, although it is
intimRted that they dispose of the sur
plus at fair market price for Turkish
harems. The Turkish authorities are
accused OF encouraging the Kurds in
their lawlessnees, and instead of trying
to capture and punish the raiders, they
arrest and imprison the Armenians W no
resist them. ="
The following Constantinople dispatch
is clipped from the New York Tribune
"Moslem mobs have possession OF
Cesarea. They have established reign
OF terror over the Armenians, have rob-
bed hundreds and have killed many.
During service in three Armenian
churches, the mobs burst in the doors,
stripped the women OF all their jewelry
and beat and cut the men. After the
Armenians fed the Moslems sacked the
churches. They sfterward went through
the streets. attacking all the Armenians
and sacking shops. All places of bust
ness are closed and trade ia utterly stag.
nant. Violence and theft continue day
and night. :"
These are facts, not fancies. On
these grounds at the present moment,
the Armenians are discontinued. They
are prosecuted, not because they are
| discontented. They are disconnected
because thew are ODDreaaAd.
Ever since the Turkish government
ruled over them the Armenians have
not had freedom of thought, pen or
press. They are deferred in every step
that they would take forward in the
| advancement OF their nation in civiliza-
ton. Nevertheless they read and make
themselves acquainted with every pro-
gressive movement in Europe and
America. AS the world advances they
wish to advance with it.
1t is not well understood that under
the name of political offenders" many
Armenians are called upon to suffer
martyrdom, as in the days of religious
prosecutions in Europe, whereas, by the
remuneration Of Christianity and the
adoption OF Mohamedanism, they could
escape, even when condemned to cap
ital punishment, and. at the same time,
be socially exalted.
If an Armenian reeents wrong he is
called ''seditious;" if he expresses his
own ideas OF progress he is 'nihilist;"
if he comes to America for higher edu-
cation and investigation, he is pro-
nounced an "insurrectionist." This is
the cry OF his religious enemies. 1t 10
the opposite OF mis- real sentiments.
If the situation and the condition OF
the Armenian people under the Turk
ish government were fully understood
by the president have no doubt but
that he would modify his message.
Public sentiment in this country
forced the British house of commons to
pass the bill granting home rule to
Ireland, and public sentiment in this
country can force the sublime Porte to
cease prosecuting. to deal Justly with,
and to grant religious liberty to the
Armenians.
To that enlightened public sentiment
l appeal on behalf of my oppressed and
almost despairing countrymsn. To
you they hold out their hands. They
cannot leave Armenia if they would
they have not the means. and the Turk
ish government values them too much
in financial way to let them off easily.
Moreover, they have lived in one spot
Tor many centuries, and they have their
mother country. To Americans, who
love, and are Justly proud Of their
country, they appeal for sympathy.
HAMPARTZOoM ID. GARABEDYAN, T.