The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-11-17
CAMPAIGN OF MURDER
THAT Is WHAT RECENT OUT
BREAKS In EUKkEY SEEM
TO INDICATE.
APCwERFUL FLEET ASSEMBLING

IL Will Consist OF 30 British Warships,
IL french ships, IL st ussian Cruisers
aud & Italian Vesseis--As the Sultan
Seems Ia be- A Bile to do Nothing the
Powers Bgay Occupy Turkey Until
Order is Restored and Better Govern
meut is Instituted
copyrighted 1895 by the Associated Press.)
CONSTANTINOPLE, Nov. Is, via
Sofia, Bulgaria, Nov. 16.-The news
from the different provinces of Asia
Minor continues to be grave, confirm
ing beyond doubt the impression
which has prevailed here for a long
time past, that the movement has as
sumed proportions which have placed
it beyond the control of the Turkish
authorities even if the latterwere real
ly desirous of pushing the Mussul-
mans for massacreing Armenians. In
fact it is considered very doubtful
whether the Turkish troops would
fire on Mussulmans if they should be
ordered to do SO.
1t is known that there are about 500
victims of the Kharput massacres; that
eight of the twelve buildings belong
ing to the American missionaries
there were sacked and burned, in spite
of the assurances of the Porte to the
United States Ambassador, Mr.. Alex.
w. Terrell that the lives and property
of the Americans would be protected
and although it was announced that
the Turkish gendarmes had been de-
tailed to guard the missions. The
American missionaries, however, es-
capped. and are now in safety. Mr..
Terrell has notified the Porte that the
United States will hold them respon-
sible for the lives of the missionaries.
In the district of Mardin, where
there is a large christian population of
Chaldeans and Syrians, a number of
villages have been burned to the
ground; the people are destitute and
suffering from sickness due to expos
ure and hunger.
This outbreak is regarded here as
being very significant and as indicat-
ing a systematic campaign, directed
from Yildez Kiosk, against all chris
tian and not against the Armenian
christians in particular as was general
ly believed to be the case. This puts
quite a different complexion on the
whole matter.
No definite action is known to have
been taken by the ambassadors of the
powers, but it is reported they will
join in note to the Porte, informing
the government of the Sultan that in
spite of the remonstrances and recon-
mendations of the powers, matters
have now reached a stage in Asia
Minor where it is evident that the Sui
tan's authority is not sufficient to quell
repeated disturbances which are
breaking out, and it has become neces-
sary for the powers, in the interests of
Christianity and humanity, to put an
end 20 these disorders by occupying
jointly various portions of the Turkish
Empire until order is restored and a
better system of government is Inaug-
urated.
In order to carry out the policy of
the powers, the most powerful fleet
ever gathered together is being as
sembled at Salonica Bay 1t will con
sist of about thirty British warships,
including dozen battleships of the
first-class; dozen or so French ships,
including half a dozen batleships
twelve Russian warships, of which
four will be battleships; eight Italian
varships, of number four frst-class
battleships. The British fleet includes
the flower of the British navy and is
constantly being reinforced.
Massacre of Christians in Syria.
ROME, Nov. 1o.-A despatch receiv-
ed here from Alexandretta, Northern
Syria, says that massacre of chris
tians has occurred in the vicinity of
that town and in the presence of three
hundred Turkish soldiers who did not
render any assistance
1t is added that European residents
Of Alexandretta are in danger.