Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-03-05
TIME FOR ACTION.
Christian Nations Should at Once Stop the
Turkish Outrases in Armenia.

Boston, March A letter from the
Armenian field received in this city, says
that unless some very efficient action is
taken now, there is no ray of hope for the
poor Armenians. Another year will see
them all either cut off or fled from the
country. The course the government is
pursuing in this city shows what the
Turks will do if left to themselves. A
single instance will illustrate the way it
is working.
Some months ago, the Koords carried
off some sheep from the village of Boghas
Kessam, some ~ hours from here. The
mounted police were sent in pursuit. The
Koords resisted and policeman was
killed. The government saw chance to
trouble the poor Armenians and made the
charge that they had killed the officer, and
began imprisoning the innocent villagers,
and also a lot Of city people Already
eight or 10 of the latter, and more of the
former, are in prison. A half crazy
Armenian was brought here and made to
give evidence against these people, and
later Koord was imported for the same
purpose.
Here is specimen of the way primary
examinations are conducted. A man
who not only was not at this village when
the affair took place, but who had never
been there in bis life, was arrested. He
was confronted with the half crazy man
alluded to, who was asked by the examiner,
"Ha, You know this Simon, don't you,
he is the one, is he not, whom you saw
there when Zabtieh was killed." The
man answered submissively, Eyes. "
The Persian consul, whose scribe he is,
went to Vail, and assured him tnat he per-
sonally knew the young man was in this
city and in daily attendance at his house,
at the time in question, and he was re-
leased.
Later, two Koords were brought. and
he was again summoned. A similar
question being asked the Koords, they
said "No, we do not know him." The
examiner rebuked them, but they persisted.
On the excuse that they did not under
stand, he commanded Simon to go out,
and then, as the others present testified,
threatened the Koords that they would be
imprisoned if they did not give the desired
testimony.
Then Simon was again brought in, the
question was again asked, and the first
Koord said: "No, never saw him, can
not lie ABOUT IL IDc ScCOilu dJ uTst sulu
the same. but the constant prodding OF
Zabtieh, who stood close to him, finally
brought from him half way assent In
this case even the examiner did not dare
to commit the man, though he is liable at
any time to be summoned again.
His uncle, equally innocent, is in prison
for the same offence. and no one knows
what the result will be. The prison is so
small and filthy that confinement there,
especially in chains as many of these poll
teal prisoners are, is almost worse than
death A priest died in the prison, a
few days ago, and his wife was not al
lowed to see him before he died. 1t is
generally believed that at least one of the
political prisoners recently had arsenic
administered to him. All sorts of out
RACES are consta atty being perpetrated in
the name of justice.
1t seems evident that the Turk cannot
be trusted to deal with his Christian sub
ject any longer. Poverty is terrible in
the city. owing to the state of the country
politically. Villages are devastated so that
multitudes from them have fled to the
cities. The government is so suspicious
that 1T will not allow even the usual con-
tributions taken in the churches lest the
money should be used for political objects.