New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-07
ARMENIAN WOMEN AT BAY
MANY LEAPED INTO AN ABYSS RATHER
THAN BE CAPTURED BY THE TURKS.
THEY HAD DEFENDED A TOWN AGAINST HEAVY
ODDS FOR TwENTY-FOUR HoURs-LORD KIM
BERLEY ON THE INQUIRY INTO THE
MASSACRE-DID THE SULTAN
KNOW THE FACTS >

KNOW THE FACTS?
Berlin. Dec. 6-The "Vossische Zetung' will
print tomorrow the following narrative OBJ
tanned from Armenian sources "Andakh was
beseged In August ergo and his followers
strengthened their position and defend it
herocally for six days, generally fighting with
stones and daggers. The often took
the places of the men who had been killed. The
position becoming untenable ergo left the women
TO defend 1t. and took his troops out to forage
for food and ammunition The women main
tanned the defence twenty -four hours then yielded
to greater numbers. after being surrounded on
all sides Their condition was terrible. Many
carried babies on their backs. while the elder
children stood beside them. The women saw that
they never could fight their way through the
ranks of the enemy.
"Grgo's wife stepped on a high rock and cried
Sisters. you must choose between two things
either fall into the hands Of the Turks and for
get your husbands. homes and your holy re-
liglon to adopt Islam ana to be violated or you
must follow my example Thereupon. holding
her young child in her arms. she dashed herself
into the abyss Others followed her. falling with
out cry or groan. The children followed their
mothers. and the ravinc was soon filled with
corpses Those who JUMPED las; were not hurt.
as their companions bodies were piled hlgh.
About fifty women and 100 children were taken
prisoners. The women bore the torture silently.
and refused to he'ray ergo and his brave fol-
lowers. Grgos wife was named Schakhe
London Dec. Lord Kimberley. Secretary II
the Foreign Office. tho chief guest al i ain
ner OF the Eighty Club this evening. tie said
in his speech that the Armenian atrocities nad
excited horror in every civilized country. ana TINS
feeling shared fully by the British Govern,
mtnt. Every effort making L. secure an
impartial and searching inquiry. me v'''s'l
Oiiicc was i'm active correspondence win lts
agents near The scene of the igassacrr, ana Wuu'u
not fail To- perform its full duty - the country.
The Daily Times" has this dispatch from us
correspondent in Constantinop.e; Ne"s rom
various sources confirms tho belief that 'hc Hist
reports Of the Armenian massacre were not over
drawn There is reason to believe that the tru'h
was hidden from the Sultan. VINO on November
30 requested the United States Minister 10 send
a delegate t. accompany the Commission oi IN
o,irv Tho Minister communicated with Wash
ington. but the decision 4 the Washington GOV
eminent e yet unknown. The sultan on Decem-
Rtlis and report directly To the pa.ace. Biunis
health prevcnicd his going. which was regret
abl. inasmuch he would have been trusty
investigator" ,
land cxpressed - the Sultan his regret tina, he
was unable 10 send an American delegate into
Armenia with the Commission Of Inquiry.
The committee Of the Armenian Society IN Lon
don passed this resolution to-day.
I, is the manifest duty ~ the English Govern
r,,snt T., nropose to the Powers international ac-
ton in behalf u the Armenians under turkish
rule without waiting for IN. report 81 me ON
mission of Inquiry, which probably never WI" w.
made and I'm any case VIII be worthless.
Constantinople. Dec. 6.-An Armenian J,urn''
in Tiris reports that the Governor Ol bitiS re-
Gently sent a circular letter to conspicuous a.
u,enians in his district. commanding them u
sign an address TO the Sultan. declaring mat AL
stories of the Sassoun atrocities ar" un1'ue'
RI. ro,,,scd and eight were arrested II is re
ported that there is trouble In the Arnehiah