Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-10


they are all robbers, more or less. He
thought 1t would be well to have only one
people, or at least one faith, on all his
eastern border. The Armenians should
have their choice, Islam or Gehanna! For
this purpose the Kurds would eerve him
well. He called to Constantinople the
chiefs of the principal tribes, treated them
with f1attering distinction, and gave them
uniforms and arms for an imperial cavalry
to bear his name-the Hamidieh cavalry.
Their work was gradually to efface all the
Armenian villages, saving all who would
or for some years In those distant regions.
The survivors made their appeals TO Eng
land and the consuls faithfully reported
them. Doubtless England tried to per-
suade the sultan to do better; and he has
always been ready with stout denialS that
any wrong has been done, and with lavish
promises that nothing more of the kind
the outrages upon the Armenians have
been growing in frequency and cruelty, and
have unquestionably been patronized by
Hamid.
Russian Intrigue.
A very regrettable element comes in here
to intensity the evil. A revolutionary party,
formed in Russia, and having branches in
England and America, have formed, or
claim to have formed, secret societies for
promoting a revolution and securing car
menia for Armenians." The Turkish gov
eminent might smile at the folly of this
irfantile organization. But for Russia, 1t
never could have come into existence, and
her power behind 1t supports it.
But this revolutionary movement is just
what Abdul Hamid desires. He halls it IS
justification of his plan to destroy the
Armenians, except they repent ard turn to
Islam. He now extends his operations all
over the empire, which has become
slaughter house. And these two and half
million of Armenian peasants and traders
have been his most useful and faithful
subjects! According to the Koran, and the
great codified law called the 'Multeka,"
he is under sacred obligations to protect
IT, EN- in IerSon and property, and in the en-
jCyment of their religion.
The sultan does not fear in the least the
great powers" He knows that they can
not agree to do anything. They can present
schemes of reform, and he promises to ex-
ecute them, but goes on with his schemes of
outrage and assassination. The six great
powers. in the persons of their ambassa-
dors, stand and look on. and can do moth
Ing; and the sultan has his own way. Rus
STA and England oppose each other, aid
neither can move a step.
The Present Situation.
The ambassadors at Constantinople are
apprehensive of a general rising of the
Mohammedans to slaughter all the Chris
tiaEs Of the capital Unfortunately, and
have demanded each an additional gum
beat for safety. The sultan being made hy
treaty the guardian of the Dardanelles.
will not allow them to come up, and the
six great powers" thus far obey the sui
tan!
Russia will act only when there is an out
cry of the civilized world calling her in.
Should there be a general slaughter of all
Christians, she would march in and take
possession, and England would not dare to
| resist her, She is waiting for such re-
suit, ard secretly preparing it. Perhaps
He that sitteth in the heavens laughs, and
has them in derision.''
The sultan has awakened all the slumber-
ing fanaticism of his empire, and 1t Is
doubtful If he can now control it.
He Fears the United States.
There is ore power the sultan would fear.
had it any power visible to him; and that
country that can act for itself. 1t can send
an ironclad to any Mediterranean port
with demand that can be enforced, and
no ether country will say word. The
sultan has destroyed American property
very freely. and has no thought of paying
a plaster for 1t all. Americans have been
ASSASSIN atoms the Turks have taken TO
American lives. Our government is acting
vigorously and Mr. Terrell is full of
energy and pluck Hamid will probably re-
ceive some useful lessons from Mr.. Olney.
We wait to hear that the work of ex-
termination has ceased. But what shall
follow? Famine and pestilence. Not less
this winter unless relief comes to them
from abroad. Why should not our great
and rich country send them million of
dollars. with agents clothed with power to
see to the distribution, that it should
not be perverted?