The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-12-20
TELLS OF ARMENIA
CORRESPONDENCE SUBMITTED BY
The STATE DEPARTMENT.
1t is Carefully Conveyed to Congress that
the 5Yonroe Doctrine Does Not Apply to
Turkish Affairs, Unless in its 1acitiy
Understood Converse Aspect, Hence,
that there Is No Way of Demanding the
state OF sfairs Except Where Ameri-
can Citizens are Involved, and that Re
suits May be Ncasre, Even Then.


suits May be Neasre, Even Then.
Washington, Dec. 19.-The presidents
message transmitting the Armenian cor
respondence was today laid before the
senate This message was in the shape
Of a report by Secretary Olney summa-
rizing, but not including, the official
correspondence and beginning with the
massacres at Moosh in August, 1894.
The report recounts all that has been
done 10 protect American citizens
against rioters and shows that while
their property suffered in two instances
they had not been injured in person.
1t quotes Minister Terrill as estimat-
ing the number of Armenians killed
at 5000 and, after citing several cases
wherein naturalized Americans had
been oppressiveIy created, states that
proper steps have been taken TO Sc
cure indemnity in all cases, and pro-
tect our naturalized citizens in treaty
rights.
Secretary Olney cites three instances
of recent date TO illustrate the treat
ment of this class of cases and the re-
suits, showing that in each instance
Minister Terrell had acted with the
greatest vigor, in one instance secur-
ing the removal of the vail of Aleppo,
who had resisted his efforts TO obtain
justice.
Messrs. Chiffon and Hunter, selected
as cmsuls at Ezeroum and Harpool,
respectively, were unable, owing TO
Turkish obstacles to reach their posts.
Responding to that part of the senate
s1rr-sn ~lfa inc hl
or cruelties practiced upon Armenians
subjects, Secretary Olney says that
owing to our failure TO secure an in
dependent inquiry into the SasSoun
occurrences of August last, and being
without power or right to inquire into
the internal administration of affairs
in Turkey, there or elsewhere, except
where Americans are concerned, our
government is not in possession of that
authentic and impartial knowledge
which would enable it to make a full
response to the senate. Aside from
Constantinople, Sivas and Trebizond,
our information is mostly heafsay and
unofficial.
SASSOUN iMASSACRES.
OF the Sassoun massacres the Depart
ment of state has little trustworthy
informa ton. That the predatory
Kurds ravaged the Sassoun district
that numbers of villages were destroy
ed and many thousands of defenselesS
Armenians were killed under circum-
stances Of great atrocity, and that
no serious efforts on the part OF Turk
ish authorities Were put forth to stay
the slaughter seems to be generally con-
ceded.
Since that time appalling outbreaks
against the ArmenianS have occurred
in many other parts of Asia Minor,
where the unfortunate people form
but small minority of the population.
The secretary then rapidly traces
the origin and spread of the riots, re-
ferring briefly TO the different mas
sacres which have been so frequently
detailed in the press reports.
Referring to the outbreaks at Hajdin
and Ourfa, he states that the Ameri-
can missionaries al those places were
protected by Turkish guards under or
derS from the porte. The Maikamam
of Hadjin is credibly said to have an
nounced that he would destroy the
town and SOW barley on dts site.
TERRELL STOPPED 1T.
There being an American school at
that place, directed by American teach
ers, the United States minister there
upon notified the porte that If one of
those American ladies were injured
from the riotous conduct of the popu-
lace, he would demand, in the name of
the United States, "the head of Kahn
akam. The officer has since been re-
moved.
In conclusion Secretary Olney saws:
These scattered notices, for the most
part received by telegraph, are given.
not as official avertment of the facts
stated, but as showing the alarming
degree TO which racial prejudices and
fanatical passions have been aroused
throughout Asia Minor AS above
said, the department of state has and
can have official knowledge regarding
but few of these reported massacres,
and though, up TO the early part of De-
ceber, the United States minister es-
timated the number killed as exceed
ing 10000, it is more than likely that
the figures are greatly exaggerated
At latest advices mob violence and
slaughter appear TO have been checked,
or at least to have partially subsidized.
The Turkish government has been en-
phatic in assurances Of its purpose and
ability TO restore order in the affected
localities
Constantinople. Dec. 19.-The United
States cruiser, Marblehead. arrived at
Merisna, Asia Minor. Tuesday. Rev.
Mr. Christie, one of the American mis-
sionaries, and his family, as well as a
number of other families, have sought
refuge at Mersina. United States Min
lister Terrell has received dispatches
announcing the safety of the American
missionaries at Marash.
TREATED THEM As SPIES