Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-25

CONFLICTING REPORTS As TO THE
RESULT.
Terrible Turkish Mcasurcs-Ordcrs
Issued To Soldiers To Spare Neither
Men. Women. Nor Childrcn-AI-
legged American blank shots.

CONSTANTINOPLE. December "a
An Official telegram from Zeitoun reports
that the Turkish forces that have been
advancing for some time on the latter
place made a successful ambuscadc, and
were victorious. but withdrew TO Marash.
which place offered better facilities for
accommodation Of troops.
other reports of the engagement have
IL that the Armenians won a victory over
the Turkish troops, and took about an
hundred prisoners.
Letters received i'm Constantinople from
tho interior show that orders have been
issued to the Turkish soldiers TO spare
neither man, woman. nor child.
A Protestant clergyman, pastor of a
church in Zeitoun. has acted in the ca
pacity of envoy an the pareying that has
taken place between the Turks and the
Armenians at that place. the latter
being in possession Of the town.
\ division Of the Turkish army has ad-
vanced to Geben. two days march
from Zeitoun. Upon the appearance OF
the troops the inhabitants Of the town.
ABOUT -tNuI ptIHpli-f iih anu AvSh lNAN5N
In Zeitoun, leaving their property.
Terrific rains have prevailed. causing
the roads to be knee-deep in mud. The
wood. the only available fuel, is green
and water-soaked. and the men are eat
ing meat that is only half-cooked. I'm
consequence OF which a large number
OF them are sick The sick ones were
returned TO Adana. and others who were
unfit TO march further were left at &c
ben.
CHRISTIANS BREAD DEVOURED.
When the soldiers arrived at Geben
they ordered $500 loaves Of bread to be
supplied by the Christians. The bread
was furnished, and the ravenous soldiers
ate every loaf before the last animal
bearing the food was unloaded.
Another division of Turkish troops Is
advancing upon Zeitoun from Marash, but
the prevailing floods make the fording OF
streams difficult.
third division IS advancing from
Coekoun. This division must traverse
a difficult pass which an hundred men
can defend.
The general opinion is that the Ar
menians in possession Of Zeitoun have
nothing 10 fear except hunger
II is reported that the United States
cruiser Marblehead has fred a number
Of blank shots al the town of Mersina,
I'm Asia Minor. II the report is true. ths
shots were probably fired with the OBJ
ject Of frightening the Turks. as means
of securing the protection OF American
property at Tarsus and Adona.
An official telegram, dated December
oath, says that the Armenans at Zei-
toun have made an attack upon the vii
lage Of Mehel. killing two men, five wo-
men, and three children, and carry
ing away all Of the cattle and goods In
the shops and houses. The inhabitants
Of the village fed TO Genksun.
mo ARMENIAN QUESTION"
PARIS. December 2l-The Gaulois pub
fishes "A report Of an interview witt
Coskai Effendi the newy-appointed Turk
ish Ambassador to Great Britain, in
which that diplomat declares that there
is no Armenian question. except the ques
ton of reforms. which is difficult to ap-
ply in such composite country as Asia
Minor The Sultan alone. he says, is the
judge OF what is useful, but time and
patience will be required.
CHRISTIAN ASSISTANT GOVERNORS
CONSTANTINOPLE. December 2.-It
is officially announced that the Sultan has
appointed Christians as assistant COVER
nors in Sivas, Bitlis. and Erzerouni.