Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1894-12-18
cnnIsIIANs AND TURKS.

ever since, the NEWdt true 10 tue
cause Of religious liberty, has ondeav'
ofed to express ia sincere sympathy
for the oppressed race and TO point out
what lie believed to DO the duty Of the
so.oalled civilized powers Of the world
In the matter The Christian religion
recognizes the doctrine Of universal
brotherhood. lie adhorents cannot be
Indifferent to ,ho suilerlnga u others
on account Of differences iu beliefs and
creeds.
IL may be necessary to the main.
tonanco Of the European equilibrium
and to the peace Of the world
u tolerate and support a Mohammedan
government at the eastern gates Of tue
continent; at least, tho best statesmen
have considered II 20; but then, the
powers to whose interests such q gov.
eminent owes lie existence cannot
escape responsibility, II they fail to
demand that their protege conform to
the rules Of humanity and civilization,
or neglect 10 assert their authority In
behalf OF those who may be the victims
OF protected barbarism.
1t cannot be denied tTuthfully that
tho very spirit Of Mohammediam,
Whatever may have been ils original
merits, ~ It IL understood and pfac.
tlcod at present 10 favorable to persecu.
ton. Its Rdherents look upon Chris
iiRns and Jews IA inferior beings.
They term Thorn "doga" and do not
hesitate to treat them accordingly,
whenever an opportunity IL offered.
But Notwithstanding this fact, tho
Christian nations have It in their
power to enforce respect for the do.
mauds Of humanity, II they choose to
do 70. And the present time
IL all the more opporlune, be.
cause the sultan, II is believed,
would gladly cooperate with them for
the Introduction Of reforms, which,
should tho initiative be taken by him,
might perhaps cost him his life.
Some OF the European powers are
under strong obligations relative to the
condition OF the Christians In Turkey.
because by various treaties they have
assumed certain responsibilities. At
the conclusion Of the war between
Russia anu Turkey IN 1877, II was
stipulated that the Sublime Porte
should "cAFry out without further de-
lay the improvements aud reforms de-
mRnded by local requirements In the
provinces inhabited by the Armenians,
and 70 guarantee their security against
ClroassiAns aud Kurds."
The treaty containing this clause
was objected to by England anu a
naval fof,S was dispatched to the sea
OF Marmora 10 emphasize the objection.
Great Britain further took the matter
In her own hands and Invited France,
Germany, Austria, Italy aud Turkey
10 u conference which was held at Der.
lin In 1873. At this conference the
HtlpulAtions relating TO the Atmonlans,
rs already quoted from the treaty Of
San Slephano, were adopted under the
guaranty Of the nlgnRtory powers.
But while the European Representatives
were celebrating at Berlin, England
entered into separate treaty with
the sultan, whereby tho latter
promised 10 Introduce necessary 70.
forms "ior the protection OF tho
Chrlstian and other sublecig OF the
Porte,"t TO be agreed upon later by the
two powers. England promised 10 do.
fend Turkey by force OF arms n
Russia should attempt 10 take posses-
sion OF Turkish territory. anu virtually
received Cyprus US payment for this
promise.
by treaties, then, with Russia, with
the powers represented at the Berlin
congress anu with England, the
sultan is pledged to protect the
Armenians and other Christian
subjects in his dominions, ana
each and all OF those countries
are responsible for the carrying
out OF the promises. Yet, II
IL no secret that no reforms
have been attempted by Turkey. The
Christians remain In M wTeIohed n
condition IA ever.
The question has been discussed
whether the United States consis-
tenlly can interfere In the Affairs Of the
orient. The fact ia our government
has done 30 on previous occasions OF u
similar nature. International law
recognizes the right OF any country to
offer IL good offices "where the general
Interests " humanity are infringed by
the eEcesses Of a bhTbarous anu despotic
government" Acting on this princi.
pie Mr.. Forsyth, secretary OF the
United 5latee, In a letter 10 Mr.. Kur.
sctsdt, dated August %, 1910, at the
time OF the maltreatment OF Jews at
Damascus, instructed our charge d.
aHaires at Constantinople to interpose
his good offices on behalf OF tho up.
pressed and prosecuted race OF the
JowB IN the Ottoman dominlons,
"among whose kindred are fouui some
Of the most worthy and patriotic Of our
citizens" Other notable cases are also
on record.
Citizens Of New York nre organizing
amass meeting 10 be- hell tonight, Dec.