The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-12-20
ARMENIAN AFFAIR.
THE AMERICAN BOARD OF MIS-.
SIONARIES
For Foreign Missions Presents to tn,
Public Statement of Some Things
They Have Heard Concerning
the Armenian Massacre.

Boston, Dec. 16.-The American board
OF missionaries for foreign missions. more
than any other missionary organization
IN America, centralizes its work in be-
nalt OF Armenians in Asiatic Turkey.
its western Turkey mission began in
lSl9, its eastern Turkey mission in 1876
and its central Turkey mission in 1917
ihese three missions comprise 10 sta
ions, 236 out stations, As missionaries.
one medical mission in Eastern Turkey.
X married women and 73 unmarried wo-
men; in fact it employs 791 native labor
CrS.
These laborers occupy 300 places for
stated preaching, and secure average
congregations of 30, ,407 persons. Tha
sabbath schools number 26. .464. The ad
herents are estimated at 1861. There
are IL churches, with membership of
ll,4Sl, OF whom 49S are received within
Al year The educational work is extensive.
There are 4 theological schools. 100 theo-
logical students, 81 colleges. high and
boarding schools for boys. containing
l454 pupils, 20 colleges, high and board
lnS SCHOOLS for girls, containing 1121 pu-
plis. Ihere are 3I2 common schools, CON
tanning 1858 pupils. There are 1861
Others under instruction. The grand total
or persons under instruction consists of
l9SS6 persons. The contributions of the
natives last year to the American board
amounted to S34, ,GIS. These facts do not
include the work in European Turkey.
Numerous inquiries have been received
rom the press and from the congrcgn-
ll3nal constituency in the United States.
which has induced their conservative or
SanlZatlon TO furnish the following state
ment relating to affairs in Turkey"
we are not unconcerned about the re-
p0rts ol the massacre in eastern Turkey
The position of the III mis-.
sionaries of the American board
within the Turkish empire is an en-
tremely delicate one. Sympathizing deep-
ly on the one side with all who are suf-
ferlng by reason of oppression and mis-
rule, they have yet been loyal to the gov
ernment under which they have lived
and have never countenanced spdition or
rebellion
1t has been their blessed privilege. while
preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to aid
the poor, to protect, as far as possible,
the oppressed and to deliver from unjust
officials mutitudcs who have been ar
rested or imprisoned. 1t is not necessary
Tor our missionaries, after three score of
years of devoted labor for the native races
of Turkey, to prove their sympathy with
the suffering and oppressed by joining
| Others who, at n safe distance from the
scene OF danger, are passing vigorous
resolutions in condemnation of the wrongs
inflicted. They are doing their best, amid
no little peril to themselves, in the inter
ests of those for whom they have long
labored, but our readers can well under
| stand that for the sake of both the help
less and the help it is eXpedient for us
to present full statement of all that we
hear and believe.
! Some things we may properly say prior
to the full investigation of the alleged
atrocities which, we trust, will be made
by representatives of both our govern
ments and the European powers. In the
SassOun region, south of Mouss Plain,
there are, or recently were, many villages
inhabited by Armenians. This people
were Systematically robbed of their flocks
| by Kurds and in the latter part of the
summer the Armenians pursued the rob-
bers in their endeavOr to recover their
I property. In the fight which ensued a
dozen of these Kurds were killed, among
whom were some who were enrolled as
| Turkish soldiers. When information
was given that the Armenans had killed
some of the sultan's troops, the charge
of rebellion was made and others were
| sent to put down the insurrection. The
result was that these lawless
and uncontrolled soldiers made in
discriminate slaughter of the people who
had sought to defend their property.
| In the horrible massacres which fol-
| lowed thousands were slain. Some state
5000. others 10000. The details of this
wrptched affair are not obtainable even
| by those near the scene. They will never
| be obtained unless foreign governments
insist upon thorough investigation con
Quoted by foreigners. The poor people
| are in terror and dare not state the truth
| unless under protection. A document has
been prepared near the scene of the car
nnrn nnrnortinp 10 give the Judgment of