The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-12-31
HAND OF THE SULTAN
1T Is DISCOVERED THROUGHOUT
THE ARMENIAN AFFAIR.
American Commissf oners for Foreign
Missions Issues Another interest
Ing Statement at Boston.

BOSTON, Dec. 3O.-The following state
ment with reference to the condition of
affairs in those districts in Armenia where
Christian missionaries stationed was
to-day issued by the American Board of
Commissioners for Foreign Missions:
Official letters sent recently from the
rooms Of the American Board of Commits
sioners for Foreign Missions containing
counts relating to the European-Turkey
missions were opened by the Turkish Of
ficials The letters were subsequently de-
livered. but with the Turkish word 'Ex-
anime written on the envelope. This indi-
Gated that the Turkish government is at
tempting to assume all authority over the
mails of foreigners. When the reports OF
the massacre of Christians in the Sassoun
district of Eastern Turkey became pu;:'ic.
after more than two months of suppress
sion on the part Of the Turkish officials,
the Ottoman government was alarmed at
the widespread publications in the Ameri-
can-English press. Under pressure from
foreign powers the Sultan agreed to send
commissioner to investigate and report on
the outrages. In view Of this promise of
the government the representatives OF the
European powers at Constantinople decided
to wait for the report before taking any
positive action.
After this decision by the powers and
while they were waiting for the departure
of the Sultans commission, which had
been appointed and which was to make
full and impartial Investigations of all the
affairs reported by the English consul, as
we'll as by many individuals from the
Sassoun district, the Turkish government
gave out the following official statement
Of the case, which statement was printed
In the papers of Constantinople All pa
pers printed in Turkey are under close CEN
sorshIp, and no paper could refuse to print
the statement under peralty Of immediate
suspension. Hence the Christian periodicals
Mers We compelled to Aprint what they y knew to
Z" Some of the n,cent European papers
have stated. contrary to the truth, that a
few Armenian villages have been destroyed
massacred by the (Turkish soldiers in the
districts Of Sassouil. Others, in order to
magnify these reports. have asserted that
leaking out by thtk obstscIes the govern
ment put in the way OF travellers from that
district. The subjects of the empire of
their business and the people travel .xher-
ever they wish in perfect safety. Some Ar
menian bandits. being induced by agitators,
began lately in and about Sassoun to dis
turb the peace and comfort of the people
by numbering, pluradering and blocking the
highways. In order 10 put an end to such
disasters the government employed the
necessary means and consequently ordered
out sufficient body of imperial soldiers of
the Fourth Army Corps. Thus the extern
sion of the revolt being checked the troops
were withdrawn to their Headquarters
There was no interference by the Kurds,
but as stated above, some Armenian BAN
dts having ventured TO disorderly actions,
the Fourth Imperial Army Corps, and also
the Governor of lBitlis, undertook to in
vestigate as to the facts and subsequently
= If Co6 of a..
doollah Pasha. Eomt.r Bey, Medjid Effendi
and Hafez Tevfik Pasha, who will start this
week by steamer TO the scene of the trou-
ble. In general, the Sublime Porte Will
never allow such outra:ges to be perpetrate1
as published in foreign papers upon hei
subjects. -