Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-09-03
Tolerance OF Intolerance.

by reason Of that which bears the name
Of religion. When few years ago 1t was
discovered that cholera was kept alive in
the world and disseminated through the
practises, that by the faithful are sup
posed to characterize true Mohammedans
1t seemed as if allowing the Moslem to
worship according to his lights was a
sufficiently severe strain to be borne
patiently. Attempts have since been
made to obviate the disgustingly unsani-
tary features that have hitherto attended
these pilgrimages to Mecca. Care, how
ever has been taken not to interfere with
only such of these observances as were
breeders of filth and disease. The Mos
lem view OF tolerance, however, is mark
eddy different. 1t appears now that the
atrocities which the Turks have ever
shown toward their Christian subjects
have been part of a carefully and secretly
organized plan to exterminate them. The
old idea of PROSECUTING by the sword is
merciful in comparison with this policy
of determination, which demands not
only the death of those who differ from
the Moslem creed but death by the most
horrible fortunes known or to be conceived
by the fendish fancy Of the Turk
Mr. E, J. Dillon, the writer of an
article in the August number of the Con-
temporary Review on the condition of
Armenia, makes the point that the mis-
government and oppression of that unfor-
tunatc country Is not due to the capriclous
cruelty OF the Koords alone, or to the
friction engendored by the collision OF
the two faiths, but is the carefully
thought out policy of determination
adopted and prosecuted by the Turkish
bility of the authorities at Constantinople
for all the horrors inflicted on Armenia is
found by Mr. Dillon in the promotion and
rewards given by the Sultan to the cruel
est of the chiefs of the Koordish muir
derers This man, who was the foulest
of fiends, was, after the completion Of his
campaign of murd. r. given the rank, pay
and emoluments of a brigadier general in
the regular Turkish army
The Koords whom be ha previously
solely commanded, are to the Turkish
army what the Cossacks are to the Rus
Cd o. al ~, in,
whose discipline and management their
local customs are allowed q sway incom-
patible with the discipline of the regular
service. They were raised on the pretence
that they would offset the Cossacks,
There is only too good reason now for be-
lieving that their employment as the
murderers of the Armenians was steadily
kept in view at the time Of their organ.
izaton. AS their pay is mainly in Turk
sh promises to pay, they are allowed to
live off the country and they have been
atrociously successful in provoking the
Armenians to resist extortion, murder
and rapine.
When the Armenians made any resist
snce, that became instruction, and the
Turkish regulars could be employed.
The Porte was left free to regret the
necessity of employing the regulars, and
to throw the odium of oppression on the
irregular discipline of the Koords should
European Indignation become inconven-
iently pressing Mr.. Dillon gives long
list of atrocities committed in Armenia,
and he has collected his information on
the ground.
What shall be the limit of this tolerance
OF intolerance? There is always the dread
of burning ones fingers by meddllng with
religious quarrels and the more alarming
danger of establishing for intermeddling,
precedent which in the future shall
afford pretext for narr owing religious
liberties. The Armenian outrages, how
ever, may be regarded as outside such re
strictions. The barbarities practised upon
the Armenians are such as should not be
tolerated under any conditions The
practises of cannbalsm while more loath-
some are not more hideous. There should
be no hesitanoy on the part Of European
nations to put an end to these atrocities,
even If it be necessary, In order to effect
the REFORM to completely overthrow Mos
lem rule Those nations have assumed
tho responsibility and to'shrink now would
he arrant coWardice