The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-12-22
TribdIdtions Of
The Rrnoenians
They Are Detailed by King Miller,
WhOWas Born in That Country.
CRUELTY OF THE TURKS TOTHEM
Life of Christian Armenian No More
Sacred in the Eyes Of Mussul.
man Than Would BE That
r. Of a Dog.

i Inc recent massacre or Armenian
Christians in Turkey caused thrill
ofhorrorall over the civilized world and
compelled Christian governments to
turn their attention to the deplorable
condition of the Armenian people, who
are subjects of the Sultan of Turkey,
King Miller the Spruce street tailor,
who is the only Armenian in the city,
yesterday related to Tribune reporter
the condition of his countrymen under
Turkish rule.
The Armenians believe that they are
the most ancient race in existence and
that they are descendants of Japeth
Their home has been about the foot of
Mount Ararat from time immemorial,
and 1t is their firm conviction that their
language Is the one God used when
addressing Adam and Eve. Most of
the Armenians are Apostolic Catholics
and their forms of worship are very
similar to those Of the Roman Catholic
church to which they originally be-
! longed.
There are about 100000 Armenians
in the country that was formerly Ar
menia, and in the territory adjacent
to it, who are governed by Russia,
Persia and Turkey. In Russia they are
well treated, but in Turkey and Persia
the reverse Is the rule. Those residing
in Turkish territory fare the worst.
Should Be Wiped Out.
Christianity will never make any ad-
vances in the east until Turkey as
nation is thing Of the past" said Mr..
| Miller yesterday. 1.-THE Turkish gov
ernment Is the undying foe Of Chris
tianity, no matter what its high Of
ficials may represent to the contrary.
1t is impossible for Christian mission
aries to get among the Turks to preach
the gospel Of Christ on account of the
attitude of government and people
toward them.
''The Turkish people have no capacity
| for business. most of which Is in the
hands of the Armenians who have to
colonize in every city where they locate
for mutual protection. Even in Con-
stantinople the 100000 Armenians have
to remain together in one part of the
city to protect their persons and prop
erty.
of the lower class of Turks Is the in
stilling of a violent hatred for Chris
tians, and they believe that 1t is no
greater offense to kill one of them
than 1t would be to slay dog. This
accounts in a great measure for the
freedom with which Christians are
slaughtered on the slightest provoca-
ton.
They Are Constantly Recurring.
'At least once in every ten years an
outbreak occurs similar to that which
has recently been recorded. l was in
Constantinople when the war between
Turkey and Russia was being fought
Duraing that struggle the Turks found
opportunity to put to death hundreds
of thousands of Bulgarian Catholics
and many Armenians met like fate
Could all the details be made clear the
world would stand aghast at the SEEM
ingly incredible deeds of cruelty these
blood thirsty and fanatical mussulmans
have perpetrated.
Besides the regular Turkish army
there is a body of religious fanatics
known as the 'Bashi- Bazouks,' who fol-
low in the wake of the soldiers who
are engaged in battle. The Christian
who escapes the regular soldiers is
put to the sword by the 'Bazouks,' who
believe they are engaged in a high and
holy service. They would exterminate
the entire Christian people If they
could.
"The Turkish prisons are full of Ar
menians who are incarcerated on the
slightest provocation. They have no
redress and are frequently allowed to
remain there and die.
Arrested in Constantinople.
II went to Constantinople seven years
ago to visit friends and was at once
thrown into prison, and had not some
influential men been interested in my
case there is no telling how long would
have been compelled to remain there
The fact that a man Is an American