The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-12-17
ARMENIAN ATROCITIES.
The Board Of Foreign Missions Makes .
Statement of its work


Statement of its Work
BosroN. Dec. 1.-THE American
board of commissioners for foreign
missions. more than any other mis-
sionary organization in America. cen
tralizes its work IN behalf of Armen-
ians in Asiatic Turkey. It's Western
Turkey mission began in 1919. its
Eastern Turkish mission in 1886 and
its Central Turkey mission in 1917.
These three missions comprise fifteen
stations, 26s out stations, As mission
aries, l medical missionary in Eastern
Turkey, AZ married women and 70
unmarried women; in fact it en-
pIoys 791 native labOrers- These
laborers occupy 299 places for
stated preaching, secure average
congrega of 3O,T47 persons. The
Sa bbath schools number 26, 264. The
adherents are estimated at 40, sea.
There are 112 churches with mem
bershlp of Il, 4S1, Of which 498 were
received within a year. The educa-
ti0nal work is extensive. There are
four theological schools, 90 theologi-
cal students, 81 colleges, high and
boarding schools for boys 20 col
Iegess high and boarding schools for
girls. There are 3z2 common scho~sS.
containing 16, S33 pupils There sc
1861 others under instructions. The
grand total of persons under instrue-
tions consists of 10, $50 persons.
The contributions of the natives
last year to the American board
amounted to $34, s5S. These facts do
not include the work in European
Turkey Numerous inquiries have
been received from the press from
the congregational constituency in
the United States which has induced
this conservative organ izatiOn to
furnish the following sta tie nent re-
lating to Affairs in Turkey"
I'VE are not uncOncerned about
the report of the massacre in Eastern
Turkey. The position of the 1T mis-
siOnaries of the American board with
in the Turkish empire is an extreme
" delicate one. Sympathizing deeply
on the one side with all who are suf-
fering by reason of poverty, op-
preston and misrule, they have vet
been loyal to the government under
which they have lived and have never
countenanced sedition of re bel4ion.
1T has been their blessed privilege
while preaching the gospel of Jesus
Christ, to aid the poor to protect as
far as possible the oppressed, and to
deliver from unjust officials multi
tudes who have been arrested or i'm
prisoned. 1t is not necessary for our
missionaries, after these scores of
years of devotion and devoted labor
for the native race of Turkey,
to prove their sympathy with
the suffering and oppressed by
Joining others who at a safe distance
from the scene of danger are passing
vigorous resolutions in condo N ma ton
of the wrongs inflicted. They are
doing their best amid no little peril
to themselves, in the interest 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 a full staten INT of all e
hear and believe
In the SessOun region south Of
Moush plain there are or were many
villages in ha bited by Arme mans.
These people were Systematically
robbed of their f1ocks by Koords and
in the latter part of the summer the
Armenians pursued the robbers
in their endeavor to recover
which ensued a dozen Of these
Koords were killed, among whom
were some who were enrolled as
Turkish soldiers When information
was given that the Armenians had
killed some of the sultans troops, the
charge of rebellion was made and
orders were sent to put down the in
surrectiOn. The result was these law
less and uncontrolled soldiers made
indiscriminate slaughter of the people
who had sought to defend their prop
erty.
In the horrible massacres which
followed thousands were slain. some
state 6, 900. others 10. 900. The de tails
of this wretched affair are not OBJ
tainable even by those near the scene.
They will never be obtained unless
foreign governments insist upon
thorough investigation conducted by
foreigners The poor people are in
terror and dare not state the truth
unless under protection
These stories OF wrong and OPP
preston have aroused the civilized
world We are glad to learn our gov
eminent has directed one of its con
suls TO make an independent investi-
cation of all matters connected with
the re ported massacre. But our gov
eminent does not stand in the same
relation to Turkey as do the European
powers. that. under the treaty of
Berlin, secured the right of seeing
that good government was main tanned
throughout the Turkish empire The
right thus guaranteed ought now to
be exercised and the first steps
should be the most thorough inve IT,
cation as to the conduct of affairs
throughout Armenia. We can not
doubt that the European powers will
attend to their duty. The winter is
not a favorable time for visiting
Eastern Turkey. where the snow is
often eight to twelve feet deep Time
and patience will be required.
Debs VIII Take an Appeal.