The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-06-12
CRUELTIES OF TURKS
TORTURES INFLICTED on ARMEN-
IANs IN VARIOUS PRISONS.
Christians Beaten, StrancIed, Burned
and Forced to Drink Vile Water
Churches Desecrated.

BOSTON. June IA reliable American
resident in Turkey. in a letter about the
situation in eastern Turkey, received here,
says: The question now pending holds
within it the life or death of Oriental Chris
t1anity. Are those wicked and Goddess IA
natics to be permitted to dip their swords
further in the blood of Christians, not
only in general massacres, but on high
ways, in their own homes in their fields.
and, worse than all, in the prisons by the
hands Of the government itself? Day after
day the pitiful story is told over and over
again Of pillage. burning. torture murder,
violence rape. abduction, confiscation, des-
ecration Of churches, etc. Mere human aid
is entirely insufficient; the ntricacies of the
political question involved put the solution
Of the problem far beyond our reach"
The letter gives new story concerning
the state Of Turkish prisons. In the Bitlis
prison there are seven cells, each one large
enough for ten or twelve persons. There
are between twenty and thirty crowded into
each one. There are no sanitary arrange
ments. Armenians often nave o drink the
"khulitch" water: This is the water of the
tank where the Turks perform abiutions for
prayer. Casper khapoian, of Avzood vii
iage, Moosh, had his head and arm broken
Sdn Ss the prison keeper with an iron shovel
Gopo. the Rails Of Aharouk, village 4 OF
Kheelp. died in prison from the effects of
III usage. Nine pounds found on his person
s.rop Of aRaad vase
Moosh, We're beaten into fainting cond-
tion. Malkhass was burned in eight places
Has Hagop sSe seropian p of kvaood Village. Moosh.
was beaten till he tainted, and then girdle
was thrown round his neck and he was
he was branded in sixteen places with red
hot ram rods. He was kept on his feet for
five days and nights without food or drink.
and pluckings out of hair.
Korken Mardoian, of Semal village,
Shadakh. was subjected to violent beat
to remain standing twenty-four hours at
a time. Then Mulazin Hadj Ali and the
5sqa ksspe
Ring) The hands are tied together, the
feet forced through between them and
then tied together by the great toes: Cas-
per Simonian of Khass. village of Moosh
was beaten for nine nights by Zabieths by
the order of Muhe Tohoush and Captain
Eskonder and Hadde Chaimee. They bound
him hand and foot, resulting in his death.
Songo Schwai, of Asvenji. of Moosh, was
heavy chains on his feet. He was brought
to Bitlis prison in handouts. The "a
bieths kept him in their room three and a
stand for a long time hungry and with
beatings When he would faint they would
pour water on him to revive him. and they
WOulQ renew the DtdllIS. IHcy PIuChtu out
his hair and burned him with hot irons.
Markar Manoogian, of Vertannes, of
Moosh. was violently beaten by Zabeths in
Mushaghsheen and then hanged. Sagha-
tiei Merzoian. of Hosh Geldi, village OF
Ravanik. was kept standing without food
and drink for Ions, periods at time, hair
plucked out choked with ropes, three
times thrown into a faint. The prison
keeper caused him to be bound to ladder
and beat him with his shoe on the stom.
ach back and head and then spit in his
mouth.
one of the Protestant chapels, was found a
dogs head with cross attached. Upon
the cross piece of the cross was written
"Ye infdels. You have become rebellious
In a short time you will see what will be-
come of you. o. you traitors against the
governmentr In the Gregorian Church
| was found the rest of the dog. with eros:
| tied TO his tail. upon which was written the
| names, Bulgarian. Italian, Greek" in addi
| ton to those upon the Protestant cross
| and the threats were greater The Ar
| menians have grown rebellious, and others
| too. but il is the turn of the Armenians tt
| be punished with the sword. Your fate ha:
come. He who accepts the true faith !:
i