New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-27
PESPONSIBILTTY ~ ARMENIA.

There Is plenty Oh VIII INK i!ihS arouhu 'ooSV
now as always. but none that Is more na'lseat
ing than that so cOpiously emitted both in Eu
rope and America TO the effect that the United
States ought actively to intervene In behalf of
Armenia stop the massacres reorganlze the
Government Of the Empire and in general do
the work which the Powers Of Europe have been
| talking about for months but have finally de-
cded not 10 do That some one ought to do 1t
is perfectly evident. But for any one TO attempt
TO put the responsibility upon this country. and
therefore put upon this country also the blame
and shame and disgrace If the deed Is not done,
is about the most monstrOus piece of efrontery
this age has seen.
The United States is interested in the case OF
course But what is it's interest compared with
that of Europe? That it is in the least respoh-
sible for the state Of affairs is absolutely I'M
true: while, on the other hand the European
Powers are beyond question, entirely respon-
sible They are responsible for the very exist
ence of the Ottoman Empire. They assumed
that responsibility nearly half n century ago,
when they interviewed to save that Empire from
destruction. and bolstercd it up. and gave 1t Il
new lease Of dishonorable life. They renewed
that responsibility under precisely similar cir
cumstances less than twenty years ago. They
are. moreover, pledged, and have for years been
pledged. to enforce justice and good govern
ment in the Armenian provinces. They are the
Turks bondsmen. in the court of humanity for
his fulflmcnt Of pledges Of reform And now.
with the most appalling atrocities OF the century
before their eyes, they say it is no business OF
theirs they have their extra guardships at STAN
boul and that is all they want
have M.
special treaties with the Porte We Were not Il
party to the Berlin Congress. We are not spon-
sors for the good behavior Of the Turk. Ameri-
can arms never nterfered to save the Empire
from overthrow. The Stars and Stripes never
gave shelter to the Crescent. II we propose, by
peaceful means. 10 secure jnstce for orr next
ncighbors in South America, there is fearful
bother raised. and gods and little fishes are in
vokcd 10 witness our meddlesomeness with
things that do not concern ms. And then these
identical critics want us 10 go to the other side
Of Europe, and into Asia. and interfere there.
1t has long been evident that Germany and
Russia are chiefly responsible for the apathy and
inactivity Of the European Powers. The Ger
man Emperor says he thinks the Turkish Gov
eminent Is doing all right and ought TO be sus
tanned in its present course; and "Russa's grca;
''solictude to maintain concord indisposes VI.
"Nelidoff the Russian Minister TO acquiescc in
ANY measure sufficiently vigorous To he clfcc-
tive" But even those two recreant Powers are
not TO have all the blame. There is little room
for doubt that Great Britain could. If she would.
step in singlehanded and settle the whole bust
ness She has right to do So and the duty 10
do So under the Treaty Of Berlin. III Lord Sails
bury should take heroic measures, send feet
to ConstantinOple, and land an army in Asia
Minor he would have such enthusiastic support
Of the whole British people as he has never had
before and he would have nothing 10 fear from
the other Powers Of Europe. There is not one
OF them. nor any possible combination Of them,
that would interfere in behalf OF the butchers
of SassOun.
behalf Of common humanity let there be no
more Pharisaical cant about Americas duty in
the case The blood Of Armenia is on the hands
Of "Christian' Europe, and cannot be trans
and other citizens in the Turkish Empire are
concerned, they are being looked after as well
as any foreigners. Our flag is respected and
feared in Turkish waters as much rs any. For
the rest, for the tens of thousands slaughtered
and the hundreds Of thousands starved TO death.
let those answer who have for years propped
up the Turkish throne. Theirs is the duty Of
today theirs will be the infamy OF all time.