The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1895-12-07
OUR MISSIONARIES IN TURKEY
American ConsuIs Have Done Their Ut
most to Protect Them.

/
| most to Protect Them.
Advices from Turkey have continued to
excite the people concerning the reported
massacres of Christians in Armenia and
the development there and in other dis
tricts of spirit of fanatical hostility to
Christian influences naturally excited ap-
prehension for the safety of the devoted
men and women who, as dependents of
the foreign missionary societies in the
United States, reside in Turkey under the
guarantee of law and usage and in the
legitimate performance of their educa-
tional and religious mission. No efforts
have been spared in their behalf and their
protection in person and property has
been earnestly and vigorously enforced by
every means within our power. 1 regret
however, that an attempt on our part to
obtain better information concerning the
true condition of affairs in the disturbed
quarters of the Ottoman empire by send
ing thither the United States consul at
Sivas to make investigation and the report
was thwarted by the objections of the
Turkish government. This government
on our part was in no sense meant as a
gratuitous ENHANCEMENT of the United
States in the so-called eastern question,
nor as an officious Interference with the
right and duty which belong by treaty to
certain great European powers, which
called for their Intervention in political
matters affecting the good government
and religious freedom of the non-Mussel-
man subjects of the sultan, but it arose
solely from our desire to have an accurate |
knowledge of the conditions in our efforts |
to care for those entitled to our protection. |
The presence of our naval vessels, which |
are now in the vicinity of the disturbed 1
territories, affords opportunity to acquire /
a measure of familiarity with the condi- /
ton of affairs, and will enable us to take |
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 is
sued an imperial TRADE exempting forever
from taxation any American college for
girls at Scutari. Repeated assurances
have also been obtained by our envoy at
Constantinople that similar institutions |
maintained and administered by our coun-
rymen shall be secured in the enjoyment
If all rights and that our citizens through
,ut the empire shall be protected.
The government, however, in view of
existing facts, is far from relying upon
such assurances as the limit of its duty
)ur minister has been vigilant and alert |
n affording all possible protection in in
lividual cases where danger threatened |
II safety was imperilled. We have sent
hips as far toward the points of actual
disturbance as it is possible for them to
o. where they offer refuge to those oblig-
d to flee and we have the promise of
ther powers which have ships in the
eighborhood that our citizens, as well as
heir citizens, will be received and protect
d on board those ships.
On the demand of our ministers orders
ave been issued by the sultan that Turk
;h soldiers shall guard and escort to the =
cast American refugees. Those orders :
ave been carried out and our latest in
diligence gives assurance Of the present :
ersonal safety of our citizens and mis-
ionaries. Though thus far no lives of :
merican citizens have been sacrificed, :
here can be no doubt that serious loss
nd destruction of mission property have
esulted from riotous conflicts and out
lgeous attacks. o
By treaty several of the most powerful a
European powers have secured a right a
nd have assumed a duty not only in be- f
alf of their own citizens and in furth- c
rance of their own interests, but as a
gents of the Christian world. Their right C
to enforce such conduct Of the Turkish h
overnment as will restrain fanatical 0
rutality and if this fails their duty is to s.
} interfere as to insure against such Il
readful occurrences in Turkey as have e
sclare this right and this duty to be t;
leirs alone. and it is earnestly hoped o
lat prompt and effective action on their e.
art will not be delayed.
The consulates at Erzeroum and agents
Erzeroum and Karpout, for which ap- ~
'Opriation was made last session, have h
zen previously filed by trusted employees II
the department of state. These ap- IL
)intees, though now in Turkey, have not ri
ceived their exequators. n
ARBITRATED CASES. "
The arbitration of the claim of the Vene- n
leila steam transportation company I'M "
r the treaty of January 19, 1892, between tC
e United States and Venezuela resulted II
an award in favor of the claimant. pl
The government has used it's good Of "
.es toward composing the differences be Ia
7een Venezuela on the one hand and X
'ance and Belgium on the other, growing re
It of the dismissal of the representa- OF
yes of these powers on the ground of ~
publication deemed offensive to Vene- IN
ella. Although that dismissal was VI
upled with a cordial request that other m
ore personally agreeable ENJOYS be sent IT