The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-11-27
THE CAUSE OF ARMENIA,
And Armenian Citizens or the Usited
states.

To THE EDITOR or THE SuN-Sfr: I write to
TIM SuN. an avowed and recognized friend of
Armenia and Armenians, to take issue with
statements made in a despatch from Washing
ton, published Thursday last. My remarks are
based, not on mere conjecture, but on many
years personal and business acquaintance with
Armenians living in the city of New York: and
my experience has convinced me that, as a peo-
pie. thoy are most ~stwor and honorable.
The telegram in question, after referring to
the recent massacre OF Armenians by the Turks,
says that the United States will no doubt he
asked to make an inquiry. a. many naturalized
American citizens reside in that country. Con-
tinuing, the telegram says:
For years 4 has been the custom Of many Ar.
R STT enoS Of acquiring 90 = Srnnm sI, nss,InI ned They e. iS5n I. ;Say
set their papers they return 70 their old homes. and
thereafter demand The pr2ssHtiGn o. The United STATE;
source Of irritation between the Turkish Government
an% ,sr S = ,reat s'n Ms. and n.so aiSSiaf s ,ss w ..s, H thu tMc
p%%wsT;, under which the United nile states rsiInGuishe;
citizens IeTmsnently residing IN Turkey. But 4 wa,
the 1hs H,nrTica ny board 5Sr Hf iSs Freshly %S,S se ri me B SsPGG', of Nil i,
ssllons, and other religious rsani1atlons who held tina,
this Cove rnment YVES thus Withdrawn. were Christians
inn T Tc%son. 'H sSior 'Sn' aiTsE on oregon Tns who M"s @%s ih r%1
Minister ,h T." TH Hs ~, although ,diG w. R 4 Hebrew rev s az ;Ii with viii,
PEELED to resign n the treaty was ratified.
The statement that many Armenians emil
kTtlt III lnf I nltfN SltltN " tHt SUN DuTt'Nt
Of acquiring citizenship and remain only long
enough to become naturaliZed. is entirely mis-
n 1g" this c ana who lheo wss spe n pton, IN mt N yesae e
on the subject, and who Is thoroughly acquainted
with the entire Armenian question, said that he
does not know of a single instance OF an Ar
Inenian emigrating to the United states for the
purpose above described. In the first place, he
declared. the great mass of Armenians are very
poor: the wealthy ones can be counted on the
fingers Of ore hand. The Armenians come here
to better their condition. Many of them take
positions IN New } prk city, anu others deal IN
imported mcrchnndisc from Turkey; They, nat
T Tnitsd i sta,S ",' % %g i h %d E'siaTei o" wk ses
they begin To appreciate the difference between
the institution o. this country and the domin-
hat the oppressed, of. other nations em-
equality when they find it, But in most in
their families and friends, and loving their
country dearly rs they do, when they get a little
to their old homes and relatives. II seems to
have been the policy OF the Turkish Govern,
suspicion and harshness, largely on the ground
that they have renOunced their allegiance tothe
Sultan, and that they are liable 10 be a source OF
discomfort 20 their friends at home, coming with
the glad tidings OF freedom from the land be-
ynnd the sea. Several instances have been
brought IN my attention of naturalized Ameri-
can citizens nf Armenian birth who have quite
recently been subjected 10 the most outrageous
espionage and rcstrictions when they returned
mother country. some OF these cases are
naturally reported To the United States Min
ister and Consuls. Why should they not be
Why should not the United States Minister
and Consuis be appealed to by such cit ems for
the protection that is guaranteed them by the
laws Of the country which they have alOptedf
And II the Sublime Porte or his Minister in
this country complains that these appeals are n
subject of Irritation. should the United States
Government lie down supinely because of such
IA claim. and allow Contempt. and even impris-
Onmcut. tn be meted out to our fellow Citizens2
IL is time to call a halt. and 10 tell our Admin
istratiOus, whether Republican or Democratic,
that the great mass Of American citizens will
not permit their Government 10 be made a cats
paw OF any foreign tyranny; Armenians in this
country and cl>eW here find II dangerous Ia say
these things plainly and openly, As one said 10
me yesterday, IL would be worth the lives and
property Of himself and his entire family at
home 10 openly, vigorously protest, Only those
who have made up their minds never To 90 back
to their ruined and d~esOlatel country dare 10
raise their voices against their OppresSOrs.
Americans have sympathiZrd with the op-
pressed OF ireland, Of Poland. OF Hungary. or
Russia. even when there was no claim, except
the claim OF universal brotherhood, on their
sympathirs; should they refuse a like sympathy
and support Ia their fellow Christians groaniug
beneath the MOhanlmedan yOke-and, above all.
10 the people OF that nation who have sought
our shores, and in good faith accepted the
hOnOrs and protection of American citizenship2
JoHN j. ROONEY, IL William street.