The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1895-12-10


order aud quiet restored to the di
tracted. island, bringing In their trai
! the activity and thrift OF peaceful pui
suits.
THE CHRIsTiANS IN TURKEY.
Occurrences In Turkey have contir
ued TO excite concern. The reporte
massacres OF Christians in Armeni
and the development there and Il
other districts OF a spirit OF. fanati
: hostility TO Christian Influences natur
ally excited apprehension for tb
safety of the devoted men and womei
who, as dependents of the foreigl
missionary societies In the Unitet
4 States, reside in Turkey under the
guarantee of law and usage and In tht
!. legitimate performance of their educa
tional and religious mission. NJ
Stforts have been spared In their be-
half, and their protection in person
and property has been earnestly ant
4 vigorously enforced by every. mean,
within our power,
L regret, however,, that al attempt
on our part to obtain better informa
j tiOn concerning the true condition ol
affairs In the disturbed quarter of the
Ottoman Empire, by sending the
i United States consul at Sivas to make
Investigation and report was thwarted
by the objections Of the Turkish Gov
ernment. This movement on our
'part was In no sense meant as gratui-
tuous entanglement OF the United
| States in the so-called Eastern ques-
tion, nor as an ofiicious interference
with the right and duty which belong
by treaty to certain great European
powers calling for their intervention
in political matters affecting the good
| government and religious freedom of
the Nom Mussulman subjects of the
| Sultan, but it arose solely from our
desire to have an accurate knowledss
OF the conditions in our efforts TO care
for those entitled to our protection.
! The presence OF our naval vessels,
which are now in the vicinity of the
| disturbed localities, affords opportuni-
I ties to acquire q measure of familiar
ity with the condition of affairs, and
will enable us to take suitable, steps
for the protection of any interests Of
our countrymen within reach of our
ships that might be found imperilled.
The Ottoman Government has lately
issued ar imperial trade exempting
forever f:Om1 taxation an American
college for girls at Scutari. Repeated
assurances have also been obtained by
our envoy at Constantinople that simi-
lar institutions, maintained and ad-
ministered by our countrymen, shall
be secured In the enjoyment of all
rights, and that our citizen through
out the Empire shall be protected.
The government, however, in view
OF existing facts, is far from relying
upon such assurances as the limit of
its duty. Our minister has been vigi-
liant and alert in the affording all
possible protection in individual cases
where danger is threatened or safety
was imperilled. We have sent ships
as far toward the points of actual dis
turbance as it is possible for them to
go where they offer refuge to those
obliged to fee, and we have the
promise of other powers which have
ships in the neighborhood that our
citizens, as we'll as theirs, will be re-
ceived and protected on board those
ships. On the demand of our minister,
orders have been issued by the Sultan
that Turkish soldiers shall guard aud
escort to the coast American refugees.
These orders have been carried out,
and our latest Intelligence gives as
isurance of the present personal safety
of our citizens and missionaries.
Though thus far no lives of American
citizens have been sacrificed, there
can be no doubt that serious loss and
destruction of mission property have
resulted from riotonss conflicts and out
rageous attacks. s
BY treaty several of thetmest power
sful European powers have secured a
right to assume az duty not only in
behalf of their own citizens and in
furtherance Of their own interests, but
as agents of the Christian world.
Their right Is to enfooce such conduct
Of Turkish Government as will restrain
fanatical brutality, and If this fails
sure against such dreadful occurrences
as have lately shocked civ
ilization. The powers declare this
right and this duty to be theirs alone,
and 1t Is earnestly hoped that prompt
and effective action on their part will
not be delayed.
The new consulates at Erzeroum
and Harpoot, for which appropriation
was made last session have been pro-
visionally filled by trusted employees
OF the department of the State. These
appointees, though now In Turkey,
have not yet received their exequaturs.
OUR FINANCIAL CONDITIONS.
eign relations to the contemplation of
our financial situation we are immedi-
ately aware that we approach sub
ject of domestic concern more impor-
tant than any other that can engage
our attention, aud one at present in
such perplexing and delicate predi-
cament as to require prompt and wise
treatment. We may we'll be encour-
aged to earnest effort in this direction
when we recall the steps already taken
toward improving our economic and
| financial situation, and when we ap-
preciate how we'll the way has been
prepared for further progress by an
aroused and intelligent popular inter
| est In these subjects BY command of
the people customs revenue system,
| designed for the protection and hene-
| ft OF favored classes at the expense of
/ the great mass OF our oountrymen, and
which, while inefficient for the pur-
/ pose of revenue, curtailed our trade
/ relations and impeded our entrance to
| the markets of the world, has been
4 superseded by q tariff policy which in
4 principle is based upon'a denial of the
1 right of the government to obstruct
the avenues to our peoples cheap liv.
4 ing or lessen their comfort and con-
tentment, for the sake OF according
j especial advantages to favorites, and
4 which, while encouraging our inter
i course and trade with other nations
4 1recognizes the fact that Americen
4 self-reliance, thrift and ingenuity car
i build up our eountry's industries anC