The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-08-07
THE 4RhENIaN QUESTION.
"pIunder. Murder, Hapine and Torture
l. Mr. GIadstone's summary.

T.oNpoN Aug. CA pro-Armenian
meeting. presided over by the Duke OF
Westminster. was held at chester this
afternoon Mr. Gladstone was present,
and upon entering the hall was received
with great enthusiasm.
In addressing the meeting Mr.. Glad
stone said he had attended rather to
moot tie expectation that he would be
present than because he had any impor-
tant contribution to make TO the discus
sion of the subject under consideration.
The question before the meeting, he
said vas not parry question neither
was 10 strictly Il religious guesuon. al
thai,ah the sufferers on whose behalf the
roaraf{ne was called were Christians. The
o,il arose from the fact that the sufferers
were under an intolerably bad govern
nent one whose state, In fact, never eX-
listed A resolution would be proposed
presenting with justice ana irmness the
true views Of the matter.
lie was glad 10 learn that the sentiment
ON tho Armenian question IN America was
even stronger than IN this country.
When ne spoke upon the SUBJECT SIX
months ago he advised his hearers 20
avoid forming a premature Judgment, but
evidence was now forthcoming Whlch
showed that unspeakable crimes were
committed in Armenia day atter day'
which were far beyond the Outrages I'm
Sassoon I'm horror The acts OF violence
committed Mr.. Gladstone declared, may
he truthfully summed up IN the Tour
awful words "plunder murder raplne'
and torture .,, "a
its agents were. he asserted. responsible
for the crimes. and IL was necessary ina,
the responsibility for their acts should
be brought home TO them.
Mr. Gladstone continued that as Amer
lea had mo political interest I'm the Ievant.
her witnesses were doubly entitled TO
The treaty Of 1876. he said, gave the
powers the right TO march INTO Armenia
and take the government OF the country
ont Of the hands of Turkey and under
the treaty Of 1871 the Sultan was bouhu
to carry out reforms The eN-Prenier
made three proposals.
First. that the demands OF the powers
should be moderate. second, tnat no
promises Of the Turkish authorizes
authorities should be accepted, and, tnlfd;
that the powers should not fear the "ord
Coercion" ~, o.,
I'VE have reached critical position
said Mr. Gladstone I'm CONCLUSION, anu
the honor of the powers is pledged 10 the
institution Of reforms In Armenia.
A resolution was then proposed eN-
messing the conviction that the Govern
meut would have the support or the entie
nation in any measures il might adopt
10 secure in Armenia reforms guaranttt-
Ing 20 the inhabitants a SAFETY or nlc.
honor religion. and property ana that
no reforms can be erected Whlch are
not ulartt under the tolhi'ldiNt 81 tAi'
great powers Of Europe. The resolution
was seconded by the Rev. canon MAI
colin NacCOll and was adopted. icittr
from Lord Salisbury. the Prime Mlnlsici'
was read acknowledging the contrlDu,iVnn n
hv the Duke of Westminster or l,VN
not,nds TO the Armenian fund. and giving
Sir Philip WodehOuse-Currie,t the 5rit,Sh
Ambassador at COnstantinople, fuil uls-
cretion as 10 how II shall be distllpu'tu'
LONDON. AUS THE Daily News,
referring to the Armenian question say =.
If Turkey Is to be cOerccd, as sne mus,
ne the signatOry powers VIII nave ,, 10
be consulted. Their response can hdiuiS
be doubted. 3. .oo.s
The Morning Post says that it fears
Mr. GladstOnes speech at chester VII
nrcyc dargtr rOus TO the mischeNous ~ -
cxtravagant criticism and Wllu WoIus,
saws the Post. may Kindle clNll wal IN ~
the Sultan's dOminions. This may Pc, ptra,'
i'm an European conhagcation, ana Eng
land with her millions or MOhaihlntn-
dan subjects In India, may be thred'%rn- ~
ed with a renewal OF the horrors OF 'he
SepOy mutinv OF 1891. IT,
The Standard saws. Broadly speahliA'
Nr. Gladstone gave expression 10 the
general convictions Of his countryHeli.
But il is not premature TO sound note
Of warning against well-meant eNaesti%a- a.
tions Fanatlcal distortions of healthy
Impulse. unless sympathy be directed bS
prudence. DO too much harm. isrehlp-
tory instructions from irresponslble pei =
sons however will. we cannot help, ana
NAV greatly hinder the Government IN
an ardous and delicate task.
The Times cOmmends Mr.. Gladstone
prudence and moderation In dealing with
the present part Of the Armenian ques-
ton. and says.
"Hc carefully abstained from saying
anything that might hamper the Govern
ment nor did he advocate autonomy
which would banefully guarantee Sc
curity Of the Armcnians and would not
be appreciated by Russia. To talk of
coercion may be imprudent. 1t is any
how, premature. but some official of the
administration provinces where reforms
are TO be effected is absolutely essen
tial'