Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-11-14
A fostering Disgrace.

tDdL lfEFILoIs oit eAp15tu " tA4I AA1S'Ai-'
of being killed in the cruelest manner
fnagi able at the hands of Mosleln ia
natics.
In his speech last Saturday night Lord
Salisbury said that the Sultan had
granted all that England asked He
wanted il understood that England must
avoid seeming interference in religious
matters as her Moslem subjects are more
numerous than those Of the Sultan. Yet
he osaertsd that the latter ruler could
prosect his Armenian subjects if he chose
This Is contrary to growing impression
that the sultan finds himself almost
nowerless in tho midst of the diplomatic
contention Of the powers and the trucu-
lent ambitions Of some of his leaders.
But Lord Salisbury admitted, what is
very evident, that it is extremely doubt
ful if the Sultan puts into practise any OF
the prescribed reforms. Indeed the Eng
fish premier spoke as If he anticipated the
dissolution OF the Turkish empire but ne
also declared that the powers were
thoroughly united on the Turkish ques-
ton THREE days following that speech
comes a dispatch announcing that the
Sultan has deliberately atfronted England
by giving to Bahri Pasba an important
command Of troops nominally employed
to protect Armenians; that this identical
Bahri Pasha was believed to be chiefly
responsiblc for the outrages in Armenia
and was removed in compliance with the
demands of the English government.
Meanwhile dispatches continue to be sent
out stating that ArmeniaDs are rioting
and provoking outbreaks. But this is the
old threadbare excuse Of the forager who
provided his company with mutton on
the pretcxt that no sheep could bite him
and live The most reliable and recent
information from the missionaries in
Constantinople is to the effect that officials
high in the Turkish government are in
spring the continued slaughter of
Armcnians; that the rabble of fanatics
firmly believe that if they can kill the
Armenians it will be the quickest and
best way out of difficulty. Meanwhile
constant reports are given out by the
Turkish government of Armenian up
rsipgs. These stories the missionaries
say must not be believed for they are
utterly untrue.
One thing is daily becoming more and
more evident; this fostering disgrace
this menace to the peace of Europe, this
anachronism-ba fanaticism and
atocious cruelty burdening one of the
fairest portions of Europe and Asia minor
at the close of the nineteenth century,
must soon come to an end, though that end
be violent one That 1t has existed so
long, that it now continues to exist is due
to the selfish considerations of greedy
governments.
In January, 1858 the Gar Nicholas
told the British minister that Turkey was
the sick man of Europe and nearing dis
solution; that 1t behooved Russia and
England to be prepared for his sudden
demise. adding, 1T will be- | tell you
frankly, a great misfortune if, one of
these days, he should slip away from us,
especially before all necessary arrange
ments are made" What Nicholas wanted
was to control the Bosphorus and make
Russia a maritime power, with free outlet
to the Mediterranean. Finding that she
couldn't agree with England so as to
affect her purpose Russia, under the pre-
text that by treaty with the Sultan she
had right to protect Turkish subjects
who professed the Greek religion, entered
upon the Crimean war. Then she had
the allied powers of England and France
against her. Today she undoubtedly has
France with her and Austria industrious
of offending her Within a few days
| France has shown a desire to sustain the
| Porte by coming to the rescue of the
Ottoman bank. England can rely with
certainty only on Italy and she is a
broken reed. No wonder that England is
perpexed. Salisbury, as long as he
could, endeavored to belittle the serious
nature of the Armenian outrages. Many
| will recall how assiduously reports of the
massacres were denied. But now there Is
no longer doubt as to all the frightful
details The powers which have bolstered
the "sick man" up in order to further
their own selfish schemes or defeat thosc
of other nations now see the gravity Of
the situation for which they are indirect
ly responsible.
1t is difficult to accept the sanguint
outlook for peaceful solution which Sails
bury indicated. While some politica
prophets have gone SO far as to predict
that western Asia minor will be given tc
France, Macedonia to Austria, Tripoli te
Italy, Crete to Greece, not to mention
the disposition Ct the crumbs of tn,
carving, no one has ventured to foretel
Russia and Englands share in division
Rut this affords little to relieve to the pt,r