Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-09
rhe Armsnian problem.


Considering Russia's historic seif-consu-
tused championship Of the cause Of the
Christians under Turkish ralA her re-
fusai 10 unite with other Powers in con-
stituting commission 70 investigate the
Armenian outraees would at first blush
appear very Inconsistent. But the fact IL.
her present attitude is entirely consistent
with Russian policy and designs In re-
spect OF the Eastern question, In which
the Armenian problem is an important
factor. 1t should be remembered that in
displaying. practically. her sympathy with
always, while taking one step in the IN
terest Of humanity" covered two or three
steps in the direction OF reaching Con-
stantinople. Armenia, although In round
about way, Is, from n strategic stand
point, one Of the roads to that goal. Rus
STA regards its possession as almost as
important 10 her In communicating her
hope touching the Black Sea, the Bospho-
rus, the Dardanelles. and the Mediter-
ranean, as she does the domination OF
Bulgaria Armenia bears, both geographic
calIy and as a field for Russian intrigue.
about the sames relation to the rest OF
Asia-Minor that Bulgaria-Blsmarck's
plague-spot OF Europe-bears to the other
Balkan States. In this view, Il IL not
to be expected that Russia will be party
to any movement that will tie her hands
and prevent her from striking at Turkey,
through Armenia, when the opporIune
moment shall have arrived.
The indications are that the proposed
investigation will lead 20 the erection
Of Armenia into what, In effect, would
be buffer territory. This would be
point gained by England and a point lost
by Russia In the Eastern game. The
thorns that rankle most in the side OF
the Northern Colossus and have proved
the greatest obstacle in the way Of many
Of Russia's schemes are buffer States.
Logically, St. Petersburg, 1t would seem,
would steer clear of any ENHANCEMENT
tending to commit the Car in the slight
est to the creation OF another Of these
barriers.
the same old one-that the lamb ;nuddicd
the stream The Porte claims that the
Armenians were the aggressors, that the
trouble had its origin in an organized Ar
menian rebellion, and that only lawful,
accepted, AMI defensble methods were
resorted to In suppressing the outbreak.
In support Of this contention, AMI an
allegation that instruction Is rife in
Armenia, the Turkish Government quotes
from an article by DIR. Cyrus Hamlin,
published in the Congrega :ionalist, IN 1893
Dr. Hamlin IS an Armenian scholar, and
was president Of Roberts University. The
article In question gives some facts re-
garding the Armenian revolutionary
party but, says, Or. Hamlin, In recent
| interview, only garbled extracts have
| been used. and his views and the truth
regarding the situation have been dis
torted. In the light OF developments re-
suecting previous Armenian troubles, the
world Will certainly be inclined to give
weight to Or. Hamlin's explanation. H.
however 1t should prove true that the
Armenian ltNOlutlblIlHlS are tilNDNA' si'is
strife in their country Tor the purpose OF
inducing Russian interference, 1t be-
comes still palmer that Russia Will feel
compelled to keep her hands free.
Aside from the question Of ameiorating
the condition OF the Christians in Ar
mcnla-aside from the broad question OF
humanity that IS inyOlved-the people OF
the United States have another interest
In the settlement of the trouble, and the
final determination OF the relations be-
tween Armenia and the Porte. President
Cleveland has reconsidered his determine
ton not to send an American delegate
with the Turkish commission charged
with making inquiry into the atrocities
The government IS, therefore. brought
into delicate association with some Of the
European Powers in respect Of a very
broad and far-Ieaching complication; and
although it is stated that our representa-
tive will act Independently, and, instead
Of joining in the conclusions Of the COM
mission, will submit a separate report,
the outcome Of his connection with the
commission viii be watched with unusual
eagerness.