The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-12-02
THE WOES OF ARMENIA.
George :. Barsoom, an Exile, Lee
lures I'm Two Churches.

ecOrge =. BarsOom, Exile, Lee
lures I'm Two Churches.
George 5. Barsoom. young Armenian
who is an exile from the home of his people.
occupied the pulpit of the First BAPTIST
Church yesterday morning and that OF the
Second Presbyterian Church last evening.
interested audiences listened TO him al both
places Mr.. Barsoom was compelled to flee
from Turkey about two years ago. be says,
because he gained the enmity of the Turks
by capturing prize at Robert College.
Recently he has received word that his
brother, sister and two uncles were killed
near Constantinople in a recent massacre
OF the Armenians Mr.. Barsoom Is at
present student in a medical school at
Chicago. He is deeply interested in the
affairs of his prosecuted people and con-
sequentiy is doing all he can to enlghten
the people of this country the enormity
OF the outrages and the causes leading TO
them.
AT the Second Presbyterian Church last
evening, Mr.. Barsoom began his remarks
by reference to the history of the Ar
menian people. The Armenian is one of the
oldest civilized peoples in the world. The
Armenian Church is Episcopal in polity and
ward forms. The Bible was translated into
the Armenian language in the fifth century.
The Armenians belong to the Indo-Ger-
were governed by independent kings, but
afterward they became tributary to the
Assyrians and Modes and later to Turkey.
lentlessly for many years by Kurds and
Turks. In ancient times the Armenians
were numerous, but now they number but
five million. OF this number fully a half
are under the Sultan of Turkey
The speaker referred to the prosecutions,
and stated that the Sultan had done moth
ing to improve the conditions in the last
fifteen years. In the Berlin treaty the
powers of Europe promised protection TO
all Christians in Turkey, but no protection
has been granted them; The Turkish gov
eminent and the Mussulman are working TO
destroy the Christians. Mr.. Barsoom said
the education or the Turks has been one to
cause hatred of the Armenians, and a
strong national feeling against the Chris
tians has been created. To show how this
has been done, Mr.. Barsoom quoted from a
sermon delivered by a priest. To violate
the wives and daughters of Christians is
just and righteous. To destroy and ruin
their churches is al acceptable service unto
God: To plumber and pillage their property
is the command of God" Such teachings
have resulted in prosecutions for years and
years, the present outrages being but fresh
outbursts.
Abdul Hamid, the sultan, is faithful
disciple Of Mohammed, says Mr.. Barsoom.
Abdul is simply carrying out the teachings
of the law as laid down by Mohammed In
the Koran, where the instructions are
given: when We encounter the unbelievers.
strike off their heads until We have made a
great slaughter among them"
Mr.. Barsoom believes the blood of the
slaughtered is on England, who promised
protection to the Christians. and who could
nave put stop to the persecution long
ago If she would. The powers are held
back for commercial reasons and from
Jealousy of each other i~eA section of the
Berlin treaty promising protection to the
Armenians is ignored. Were Turkey 10 fall
in new hands England and Germany would
lose their best customers. for a different
people In Turkey would produce for the
people of the country Mr. Barsoom recalled
the massacre of his people, a portion of his
description being from information which
he has received. The sad story Is known TO
all readers. He Simply made en-
phatic these tales and confirmed them. The
speaker said it was within the power of
the Armenians 10 stop the outrages IL they
would tut discard their faith and become
followers of Mohammed. He appealed TO
Americans for sympathy. and asked that
sentiment be born here which would urge
an end TO the Ourrages.