The Penn's Grove record., 1895-12-06
TROUBLES IN THE EAST
The Effort to Secure information in the Turkish
Massacre The Duty Of the Government.


Massacre Tho Duty Of the Government.
Occurrences in Turkey have continued
to excite concern. The reported massar
ere Of Christians in Armenia and the de-
yelopment there and in other districts Of a
spirit of fanatic hostility to Christian In
iuences naturally excited apprehension for
the safety of the devoted men and women
who, as dependents of the Foreign Mis-
sionary Societies in the United States,
reside in Turkey under the guarantee Of
law and usage and In the legitimate per
Torrance of their educational and religious
mission. No efforts have been spared i
their behalf, and their protection In person
and property has been earnestly and vigor-
ously enforced by every means within
our power.
regret, however, that ar attempt on our
part to obtain better information concern
ing the true condition of affairs In the dis
turbed quarter of the Ottoman Empire, BY
sending thither the United States Consul
at Siyas to investigate and report. wap
thwarted by the objections Of the Turkish
Government. This movement on our part
was in no sense meant as a gratuitcus 60
tanglement of the United States In the -
called Eastern question. nor as an oficious
interference with the right and duty which
belongs by treaty to certain great European
powers, calling for their Intervention In
political matters affecting the good gov
and religious freedom Of the nen-
Mussulman subject Of the Sultan, bat h
arose solely from our desire to have N
accurate knowledge of the conditions fn sur
efforts to care for those entitled to our pro.
lection.
warships In the Bssporus.
The presence Of our naval vesssls, wfdc1,
are now In the vicinity Of the disturbed
localities, affords opportunities to acquire
q measure Of familiarity with the cendi-
ton Of affairs, and will enable rs to take
suitable steps for the protection Of any In
terests of our countrymen within reach Of
our ships that might be found imperilled.
The Ottoman Government has lately L.
sued an imperial trade exempting forever
from taxation an American college for igrls
at Scutari. Repeated assurances have also
been obtained by our envoy ut Censtan-
tinople that similar institutions maintained
and administered by our conntrymsn AhaA
be secured in the enjoyment Of 81, rights,
and that our citizens throughout the en-
pire shall be protected.
The government, however, In view Of ex,
listing facts, ia far from relying upon such
assurances as the limit Of its duty. Our
Minister has been v~igilant and alert In
affording all possible protection In individ-
ual cases where danger threatened or safe
ty was imperilled. We nave sent ships a.
far toward to the points Of actual dis
turbance as it is possible for them to 90.
where they offer refuge to those
obliged to flee, and we have
the promises of other powers, which
have ships in the neighborhood. that
u citizens, as well AZ theirs, will be re-
ceived and protected on board those ahipa.
On the demand Of our minister, orders hsvs
been issued by the Sultan that Turkish
soldiers shall guard and escort to the coast
American refugees.
Protection for Americans.
These orders have been carried out, and
our latest intelligence gives assurance OF
the present personal safety of our citizens
and missionaries. Though thus far no lives
of American citizens have been sacrificed,
there can be no doubt that serious loss and
destruction of mission property have re-
suited from riotous conflicts and outrageous
attacks.
BY treaty, several of the most powerfui
European powers have secured u right, and
have assumed a duty not only in behalf
of their own citizens, and in furthernnce
of their own interests, but as agents of the
world. Their duty Is to enforce
such conduct Of the Turkiah lG~cvernment