The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-11-12

Turkey. But the Premier's remarks are
lot considered to be as forci5le as his utter
ances on the same suDjecs when @ parllamens
Great Britain, and 1T is feared that this
may encourage the Sultan 10 further oppo-
sltion TO the recommendations OF the pow
ers regarding Armenia. Then again IL is be-
Heved that, even If they were actuated by
the best OF intentions, the Turkish author
tiles have let matters run until they are
now powerless 10 stop the constan tly-grow
ing movement among the kurds, who are
continuing on an Increased scale the work
OF massacre. fire ana rapine. That they are
either acting under direct instructions from
the Yeldez Kiosk or else with the secret
approval OF the sultan nobody here seems
TO doubt, and this convection becomes
stronger every day. 1t is true that SEM
blance Of activity is displayed by the Porte.
1t announced to-day that Il had decided 10
call out many reservists and that steps
against the Kurds. But, in view of the
financial situation here, II Is considered
more than doubtful whether the Porte would
were a genuine desire TO suppress the up
rising which has now become almost gener-
al throughout Armenia
The most horrible accounts are constant
ly arriving here. in spite OF the efforts made
TO suppress them, OF massacres and depre-
dations in the eastern provinces in which
the Kurdish tribes are san TO have perpe-
fore credited to them. 1t Is stated upon ap-
parently good authority THAI whole dis
tricts of Erzroum and Sivas. the scenes OF
so much bloodshed in the past, have been
devastated by the Kurds, who have wiped
Sllage after village out OF existence, and
that the sword and fire are sweeping over
the country The rioting and bloodshed at
ErZroum are said to have been much more
serious than any reports previously made
public and Ii Is asserted that even the pres
ence of Shakir Pasha witt his troops failed
to stop the massacre. The unreslsting Ar
menian men, women and children were
bludgeoned to death by hundreds In the
streets. A traveller who arrived here re-
Gently from Trebizond says that he met
between ErZroum and Baiburt, three hum
dred women who fell on their knees by the
roadside imploring protection, saying that
their husbands were murdered and that they
were starving and homeless. The rising OF
the Druses is extending on all sides and sew
eral villages of the district or Hauran nave
been destroyed by fire.
These are samples of the terrible reports
which are continually reaching this city, by
one means or another, am although there
NAV be exaggerations, there seems no valid
reason for doubling that they are correct
in substance. Under these circumstances 1t
is not to be wondered at II even the most
sanguine doubt that there is any possibility
of the restoration OF order in Armenia with
out the Intervention of the powers. If Shakir
Pasha the high commissioner appointed by
the Turkish government 10 carry out the
scheme of reform agreed on for Armenia,
is unable, supported by Turkish troops 10
stop the wholesale massacre or Armenians
in the streets of an important city like
Frzroum. II Is difficult TO see how the wild,
kurdish tribes in the outlying districts can
be prevented from continuing the work of
exterminating the Armenians, which has
been going on for some time past, apparent
ly with the approval of the Sultan.