Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-01-16
A PLAIN STORY.
Armenian Citizens of the United
States Ask Protection.
hey Claim Uncle Sans Aid in Securing
Rights from The Sultan.

BosroN, Jan. l5-Some Boston oi liens
of Armenian birth have sent the follos ing
letter 10 President Cleveland: I'VE. the
undersigned, have been appoiLted a
committee at mass meeting of
Armenian-A meric ans of Boston and
vicinity, 10 represent them in
communicating to Ycur Excelleney the
facts in regard to the position of the Arne
nian citizens in the United States, and in
tht ir behalf and il behalf of thousands of
American ci izens of Armenian descent,
BON or naturalized in this country, cen
cerning certain charges of the Twkish gov
ernment, mentioned n your recent messsga
70 Congress.
1--WE read with satisfaction tie earnest
to the outrsges peIpetrated by an unre-
str lined mob, with compliclty OF bome g)v-
ernmt Mt Off ills, on American ci,izens in.
Taikfy. which received prompt response
by the Turkish governm mt in the punish
M mt of the ffenders and reparation for.
An eric an property destroyed by said mob.
We desire to enter a most emphatic pro-
tet t against the charge of Turkey, that
her Armenian subjects obtain citiz enship in
th. country not to identify tn mselves in
good faith with its people, but with the in
tantion of returning to the land of their
tirth and there engaging in sedtion,' as
not founded on fact.
There has net been single Armenian
American citizen who was proved guilty of
thu offence charged. We have identified
ourselves in entire good fai h with tins
country, and such is our esteem of the gov
ernment and opportunities of the country
of our adoption. and so keenly do we feel
the severity of the Turkish government
ton ard its Amer lem subjects that there is
no intention among us of going back TO that
country, 81 egiance to whose ruler we have
foI mally renounced.
Some Armenian American citizens have
families and relations at home, and they 60
back for the purpose Of visiting them and
their fatherland, or d;sposing Of their prop
critics, or Bringing their families to the land
of their adoption.
1--WE wish to call the attention of Your
Excellency and Of the American people to
the fact that if Armenians, who have for
merly been subjects of the Sultan, have
become American citiZ Z'rs, that fact has
BE-, II sufficient cause for the Tu' kish gov
ernment to stamp them as revoiaii lpists, or
a. least suspicious characters, and in con-
ssq quepce they have been thrown into prison
ani subjected to very many unnecessary
annoyances by the officers of the Porte.
The Armeri an Americans feel entitled
to the full and indiscriminating protection
of tn. ir government. 1t is most important
quf stion for them as American citizens, who,
for any legitimate purposes may
be residing or travelling in Turkey,to know
where their rights begin and where they
end. As matters stand now, American
citiz anship is looked upon by the Turkish
government with contempt, and an Ameri-
can passport spat upon by the government
off ials. The great name of America has
become by-word in the land of the
Suitsn.
"In view of the threatened action Of the
Ottoman Porte and the uncertain snd per-
haps dangerous positions of American citi-
zsIs in Turkey, we respectfully urge the
United States to take such steps as may be
necessary toward negotiating a treaty with
Turkey respecting the rights of naturaiized
citizens.
We should be gratifed if, through diplo
matte relations of the United States with
Turkey, that the government could be as
sured of cur sentiments rs above expressed,
IN respect to our Identification with the
United States, AMI e,pecially gr4tifed il
any alleviiiion can be made of the condi-
lion of the people of our native land,
through the influence of this government.
of which you are the executive head, and
of which so many of us are citizens. The
Armer IN journal referred TO in your mes
sage is private concern aud 10 no ssnse an
organ Of the Armenian-American citizens.