Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-12-17
THOUSANDS SLAIN.
Latest Reports From Turkish
Atrocities in Armenia.
Number of Dead Placed as High as
10000 by Some.
Statement OF the American Board OF Commits.
sioners for Foreign Missions.

other missionary organization in Ameri-
ca, centralizes ist its work in behalf of the
Armenians in Asiatic Turkey Its West
ern Turkey mission began in 1919, its
Eastern Turkey mission in 1886, its
Central Turkey mission in 1S47. These
three missions comprise Is stations, 26S
out stations, IS missionaries, one medical
missionary in Eastern Turkey, AZ married
women, 73 unmarried women, a total of
1913 American laborers.
1t employs also 79l native laborers, or
total of 9i4 American and native labor
ers. These laborers occupy 299 places for
stated preaching secure average congrega-
tions of 30747 persons. The Sunday
schools number 26, 464 The adherents
are estimated at 46, S64. There are 112
churches, with membership of II, 4S1,
of whom 49S We're received within IA
year
The educational work is extensive
There are four theological schools, 20 theo-
logical students, 81 colleges high and
boarding schools for boys, containing 1343
pupils; 90 colleges high and boarding
schools for girls, containing 1921 pupils.
There are 372 common schools, containing
16, S33 pupils. There are 1860 others un-
der instruction.
The grand total of persons under in
struction consists of 10, SS6 persons. The
contributions of the natives last year to
the American board amounted to S34.75S.
These facts do not include the work in
Asiatic Turkey. Numerous inquiries
have been received from the press and
from the Congregational constituency in
the United States, which has induced this
conservative organization to furnish the
following statement relating to affairs in
Turkey:
"We are not unconcerned about the re
ports of massacres in Eastern Turkey.
The position of the,177 missionaries of
the American board within the Turkish
empire is an extremely delicate one.
Sympathizing deeply on the one side with
all who are suffering by reason of poverty,
oppression and misrule, they have yet been
loyal to the government under which they
have lived, and have never countenanced
sedition or rebellion.
"It has been their blessed privilege
while preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ
to aid the poor, to protect as far as posi-
bic the oppressed, and to deliver from un-
just officials multitudes who have been ar
rested or imprisoned. 1t is not necessary
for our missionaries, after these scores 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 safe distance from the
scene of danger are passing vigorous reso-
lutions in condemnation of the wrongs
inflicted
"They are doing their best amid no lit
tie peril to themselves, in the interests of
those for whom they have long labored
but our readers can well understand that
for the sake both of the helpers and of the
helped, it is inexpedient for us to present
in our pages 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 the representatives of both our govern
ment and of the European powers.
In the Sassoun region, south of the
Moush Plain, there are, or recently were,
many villages inhabited by Armenians.
These people were Systematically robbed
of their focks by koords, and in the latter
part of the summer the Armenians pursued
the robbers in the endeavor to recover
their property. In the fight which ensued,
dozen of these Koords were killed,
among whom were some enrolled as Tur-
kish soldiers.
"When information was given that the
Armenians had killed some of the Sultan's S
troops, the charge of rebellion was made
and orders We're sent to put down the in
surrection. The result was that these
lawless and uncontrolled soldiers made
indiscriminate slaughter OF the people
IL If. 4 III, .1rtr-
''In the horrible massacres which fol
lowed, thousands were slain, some state
600O others 10000. The details of this
wretched affair are not obtainable, even
by those near the,scene They never will
be obtained unless foreign governments
insist upon a thorough investigation con
dupted 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 carnage, purporting to
give the Judgment of the people that the
Thousands slain in Talvoreeg met their
Just deserts and expressing regret that
it had been thought best to send consuls to
investigate since there was no need for
their coming. The value of such docu-
ment will be understood when the methods
for securing signatures are known But
such investigation should be made vigor-
ously, either to relieve the government
from unjust charges, if the statements are
incorrect or, if they should be proven, to
bring about the condign punishment of
the guilty parties
Though our missionaries in Eastern
Turkey are often upon the .Moush Plain,
where there are many out stations in which
evangelical work is conducted by them.y yet
their work has not extended into this Sass
SCUM district and hence they have no di-
rect reports from the scene Of the mas
sacre.
Papers from Constantinople, printed
in that city and entirely under the control
of the Turkish censors of the Tress, an
nounce that the Sultan has sent one of
his Imperial Guards to the city OF ERIN
gan. in Eastern Turkey, to carry decora-
ton to Zeki Pasha, the commander of the
Fourth Army Corps, which is located
there. Zeki Pasha is the military COM
mander who led the troops against the de-