The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-11-28
FIRMANs GRANTED.
GunbOats May Pass the Dardane1les-
The Riots at kharput.

UunDO0ts M0y faSS tne
The Riots at kharput.
Copyright, 1885, by the Associated Press.)
CONSTANTINOPLE. Nov. 25.-The Turk
ish Minister for Foreign Affairs. TewfilS
Pasha, called on Sir Philip Currie, the Brit
ish ambassador, to-day. and announced that
the Porte had decided to issue the firmans
providing for the passage through the Dar-
danelies of the extra guard ships demanded
by Great Britain. Russia, Italy and Austria,
as additional protection needed for the
safety of the foreign population here in
view Of the recent rioting in the streets of
Constantinople. This puts an end to very
dangerous situation. for there is no doubt
that the powers would have insisted on
having the extra gunboats there.
More ample details have just been re-
ceived here of the burning of the American
mission buildings at Kharput They show
that Turkish government officials. in spite
of the abundance of promises OF protection
for the American missionaries and their
property made by the Porte to United
States Minister Terrell and to the Ameri-
cans themselves by the authorities of Kfar-
put, utterly failed to guard the Americans.
There was no protection offered or given
them until after the massacre had actually
occurred and after the American mission
buildings had been burned. 1t Is estimated.
that the value Of the American property
destroyed is about 100000. 1t consisted of
the Girls College, the Theological Seminary.
the chanel and five residences All the
burned buildings were looted by the mob
before being set on fire and all the personal
effects OF the American missionaries, the
libraries. scientific instruments. etc., were
stolen. So far, only small portion OF the
property has been recovered. The women
missionaries, naturally, were in great ter
ror while the rioting was was G gong h a;ss;nn on. and
aries, was SO Frustrated with alarm taat
she gave premature birth to a child, which
did not live. The authorities or kharput,
however, protected the missionaries after
the latter fed from their residences TO the
official quarters. From that time on the
Americans were kept under guard and those
who so desired were furnished with escorts
to the Black sea coast.
The failure of the turkish authorities to
afford the promised protection TO the Ameri-
can missionaries is considered all the more
remarkable because Ii was not on one or
two occasions that Mr.. Terrell applied to
the Porte in their behalf. The governments 3
promisese were reiterated on quite num-
ber of occasions. when the United States
minister thought it advisable to make rep
reservations in behalf of his compatriots
Some of the American missionaries in
cludiag DR.. and Mrs. Crosby H. Wheeler
Mr.. Ellis and Mrs. Boyadjan and her chill
dren, are expected here. The other MEM
Kharput elected to remain there for the
present.
All reports agree in establishing the fact
that the rioting was of the most horrible
description, that several hundreds of Ar
menians, men women. and children, were
butchered, that the massacre seemed TO be
premeditated and that the Turkish troops,
If they did not take part in the slaughter.
as the Armenians claim, certainly made no
effort to put stop TO IL. Mr.. Terrell, when
informed of the destruction of the mission
hli1d a
formal protest to the Porte, and as soon
as the work of collecting all the data
necessary is completed he will make a
demand for the immediate payment of
an indemnity. In fact, when MIR. Terrell
intimated that this would be done. he was
assured the Turkish government would pay
facts I'm the case were established and the
blame placed where it belonged. But II is
believed Mr.. Terrell will have some diff
Guilty in obtaining the immediate payment
of any considerable sum OF money from
the Porte, If only from the wretched con-
dtion of the Turkish finances. Mr.. Terrell,
In addition has demanded of the Porte
that there be no interference with his let
ters to and from the American missionaries
| in Asiatic Turkey and has insisted on the
prompt transmission and delivery of his
| kilograms. The Porte has promised that
there will be no interference with the
United States minister's mail or teiegraphic
messages.
The representatives of the powers have
had their attention drawn to the sad condi-
| ton OF the homeless inhabitants of certain
parts of Asiatic Turkey, and steps are to
be taken to do everything possible in the
matter. They are now discussing the prof.
| ect for the distribution OF the relief in Ana
| tolia, rendered Immediately necessary by
| the recent events in that district.
Unconfirmed rumors reached here to-day
that fresh troubles Of a most serious nature
| have broken out at Marash, where the mus
| tering OF Turkish troops for the advance
| on Zeitoun has been in progress for some
| time past. One report has it that part of
| the town Of Marash has been burned by the
| rioters. There Is no news from Zeitoun,
| and this, with the absence of direct news
from Marash. is causing more anxiety
| every day.
| Thanks to the firmness Of the powers.
| the complete accord existing and the fear
| of European intervention in Turkey a bet
| ter disposition to execute the reforms in
| sisted on by the powers is now apparent at
| the palace. The palace officials are making
| constant efforts TO convince the representa-
| tives of the powers and the powers them
| selves through the Turkish ambassadors at
| the different capitals, that the situation is
| not so alarming as represented. From the
| Porte each day report Of the situation as
| viewed by the Turks is sent TO the Turk
| ish ambassadors and ministers for the in
| formation of the governments TO which
| they are accredited. The sum and sub
| stance Of the news furnished by the
Porte Is that, with the exception OF the
| Armenians all the Christians are content
with the paternal regir q OF the Sultan.