Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1895-12-03
turkey

Turkey,
Occurrences In Turkey have con.
tinued to excite concern. Tbs reported
mAssaofea Of Chrlstiaus In Armenia
and the development there and 10
other districts OF fanatic hostility to
Christian influences, naturally excited
apprehension for tho safety OF the
devoted men and women who, a.
dependents Of the foreign missionary
societies m tho United States, reside
la Turkey under the guarantees VI law
and usage aud In the legitimate per.
iotmance ~ their educational and
religious missions No efforts have
been spared Ia their behalf AMI their
protection In person and property has
been earnestly and vigorously enforced
by ovety means within our power.
regret, however, that an attempt on
our part 20 obtain better Information
conoetnlng the true conditlou OF Attain
IN tue disturbed quarters " the otto.
man empire by sending thither ths
United States consul at sivas TO make
investigation and report, wss
thwarted by tho objections OF the
Turkish government. This movement
ON our part was In no sense meant as a
gratultous ENHANCEMENT OF the United
Siatoa In the to-called Eastern ques.
ton, nor M an oiiiclous Interference
with tho right aud duty which belong
by treaty 10 certain great European
powers, calling for their Intervention
in political matters affecting the good
government and religious freedom OF
the nom Munsulmnn subjects Of the sui
tan. But II arose solely from our do.
sire 10 have an accurate knowledge Of
tho conditions IA our efforts 10 care
for those entitled ~ our protection.
The presence OF our naval vessels,
which are now In the Vicinity OF the
disturbed looaliiios, affords opportuui.
ties TO Acquife a measure OF FAMILIAR
l,y with tho condition Of affairs, and
will enable u8 10 take suitable steps for
the protection Of any interests OF our
oouutfymen within reach Of our ships
that might be found imperilled.
Tho Ottoman government has lately
Issued an imperial Trade, exempling
forever from taxation an American
college for girls ut ScutaTi. Repeated
assurances have also Uoon obtained by
our envoy at ConHlgu,inople that sim.
liar institutions maintained And ad-
minislered by our oouutrymon shall
be secured Ia the enjoyment Of all
| rights, aud that our citizens through.
out the empire shall 10 projected. The
government, however, ia Wow Of ex.
iatlng facts, 10 far from relying upon
such assurances as the limit Of lie duty.
Our minister has been vlgllanl and
alert In HnIrding all pVsslble protection
aU. nd NFa. asHl d.
threatened or safety was imperlllsd.
We have sent ships Hs tar towards the
points OF actual disturbance as Il IL
possible ior them 10 10, where they
Oiler refuge 10 those obliged 10 Zee, and
we have Tue promise OF other powers
which have ships In tho neighbOrhood
that cur citizens ~ well At theirs will
DO received and protected on board
those ships. on the demand OF our
minister, orders have been Issued
bv the sultan that Turkish SOL
oilers shall guard ana escort
~ the cOGnt American refugees.
These orders have been carried out,
Aud our latest intelligence gives as.
suranoe OF the present personal safety
OF our citizens and missionATieG
Though thus far no liyes OF American
citizens have been sacrificed, thsta
can be no doubt that serious loss and
destruction of mitsion property have
resulted from ri0tOus conflicts and out
ragoous attacks. BY treaty several Of
tho most powerful European powers
have secured a right and have as
sumed duty not only In behalf Of
| their own citizens and In iutlhefanoe
OF their own interests, but % agents OF
the Christian world. Their right 10 TO
enforce such conduct Of tho Turkish
government ~ will restrain fanatlcAl
brutality, anu II this fails their duty 10
| to 30 interfere ~ to Insure against such
dreadful occurrences In lurksy as
have lately shocked civilization. The
powers declare this right and this
| duty 10 bs theirs alone, aud Il Ia ear
nostly hoped that prompt and effective
action on their part VIII not DO de.
layed. The new consulatGs at EiZs.
roum aud Ealdolat, Erzeroum and
Harpout for winch appropriation wai
made last session, have been provisiou-
ally iillsd by trusted employees OF the
department VI state. These appoint
| ees, though now In Turkey, have no,
yet received their eXequatoTs,
Venezuelan Claim.
The arbitration OF the claim OF the