The morning call., 1894-12-17

the full investigation of the alleged atroci-
ties which we trust will be made by the
represen iatives of both our Government
and of the European powers In the Sas-
SCUM region, south of Moosh Plain, there
are. or were, many villages inhabited by
Armenians. These people were >ystemat-
ically robbed OF their 1ocks by Kurds, and
in the latter part Of tie summer the Ar
menians pursued Lhe robbers in their en-.
deavor tn recover their property.
Sin the fight which resulted some of the
Kurds were killed, among whom was
some who were enrolled as Turkish SOL
diers. When information was given that
the Armenians had killed some of the Sui
tsn's troops the charge of rebellion was
made and orders wre sent to put down the
insurrection. The result was these law
less and uncontrolled snldiers made indis-
criminate slaughter Of the people who had
sought to defend their property. In the
horrible massacres which followed thou
sands were slain-some state 5000. others
10000.
The details of this wretched affair are
not obtainable even by those near the
scene. They will never be obtained uu-
less foreign governments insist upon
thorough Investigation conducted by for
eigners. The poor people are in terror
and do not STAT the truth unless under
protection. document has been pre-
pared near the scene OF the carnage pur-
porting to give the judgment of the people
that the thousands slain in Talyorie met
their just deserts and expressing regret
that il had been thought best to send Con-
suls to Investigate. since there has been no
need for their coming.
THE value of such document will be
understood when the methods of securing
signatures are known. But such investi-
cations should be made most vigorously.
either to relieve the Government from un-
just charges if the statements are incor-
rec =, or, If they should be rroveu, to bring
about the punish ment of the guilty parties.
Though our missionaries in Eastern
Turkey are often upon the Moosh Plain,
where there are many outstations in
which The evangelical work is conducted
by them, yet their work has not extended
into the Sassoun district, and hence they
have no direct reports from the scene of
the massacre.
Papers from Coustantinople entirely
under the control Of the Turkish censors
Of the press announce that the Sultan has
sent one of the imperial guards TO the city
of ErZingan in E stern Turkey, to carry a
decoration to Zekki Pasha, the commander
Of the Fourth Army Corp which is located
there. Zekki Pasha is the military com.
mander who lead the troops against the
defenseless villages in the Sassoun district
al the time of the massacres.
'An0tber envoy carries four banners
from the Sultan 10 the four leading Kurd-
ish chiefs who were associated with the
military commandaDt in the reported
massacre and who probably were the in
stiga tors of II. After the Sultan had thus
approved Of the action Of his troops and
of The kurds it will be impossible for any
committee appointed by the Turkish Gov
eminent to investigate the outrage and
bring any report that reflects on either
the Kurds or the army. By this &C the
Sultan seems to assume all the response
biiitg for what has been done.
THESE stories of wrong and oppression
have aroused the civilized world. We are
glad to learn our Government has directed
one of its C0nsuls TO make an Independent
investigation Of ali matters conn ected with
the reported massacre. But our Govern
ment does not stand in the same relations
to Turkey as do the European powers
that, under the treaty of Berlin, secured
the right of seeing that good government
was maintained throughout the Turkish
Empire. The rights thus guaranteed ought
now to be exercised. and the first step
should be the most thorough investigation
as to the conduct of sffsirs throughout
Armenia. We cannot doub; that The Eu-
rupean powers will attend to their duty
The winter is not favorable time for
visiting Eastern Turkey, where the snow
is often from eight TO twelve feet deep
Time aud patience will be required"
ErsiDgan, which is referred 10 in the
preceding statement, is city ninety-six
miles southwest of Erzernum, situated ON
the Euphrates, in The midst of the noun
tains. 1t is noted for the energy of its
people, both Turks and Armenians.