The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-12-04
TURKISH OUTRAGEs.
everything Possible Has Been Done
to Protect Americans I'm Armenia.

Everything Possible Has Been Done
TO Protect Americans I'm Armenia.
occurrences in Turkey have continued to
excite concern. The reported massacre of
Cnrlstians In Armenia and the development
there and in other districts of a spirit of
fanatic hostility to Christian influence nat
urally excited apprehension for the safety
of the devoted men and women, who, as
dependents of the foreign missionary So
cieties in the United States, reside in Tur-
key under the guarantee of law and usage
and in the legitimate performance of their
educational and religious mission. No eff
forts 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.
/ regret. however, that an attempt on
our part to obtain better information con-
corning the true condition Of affairs in the
disturbed quarter of the Ottoman empire,
by sending thither the United States consul
at Siras to make investigation and report
was thwarted by the objections of the
Turkish government. This movement on our
part was, in no sense, meant as a gratui-
t0us entanglement of the United States in
ofIicious interference with the right and
duty which belong by treaty to certain
great European powers, calling for their
Intervention in political matters affecting
the good government and religious freedom
of the nonmussulman subjects of the Sui
tan, but Ii arose solely from our desire to
have an accurate knowledge of the condi-
tons in our efforts to care for those en-
titled to our protection.
The presence of our naval vessels, which
are now in the vicinity of the disturbed To-
callties, affords opportunities to acquire a
measure OF familiarity with the condition
of affairs and will enable us to take suit
able steps for the protection of any inter-
ests of our countrymen within reach of
ships that might be found imperiled.
The Ottoman government has lately issued
an imperial trade .exempting forever from
taxation American college for girls at
Zicutari. Repeated assurances have also
been obtained by our envoy at CONSTANT
nope that similar institutions maintained
be secured in the enjoyment of all rights
and that our citizens throughout the empire
shall be ct Tine N fa r"
relying upon such chances as the limit of
its duty. Our minister has been vigilant
and alert in affordng all possible protec-
ton in individual cases where, danger
threatened or safety was Imperfect. We
have sent ships as far toward the points
of actual disturbance as 1t Is possible for
those obliged to flee, and We have the prom
Use of the other powers, which have ships
in the neighborho1d that our citizens e nr as
tected on board those ships. On the. de-
mand of our minister orders have been
issued by the Sultan that Turkish soldiers
shall guard and escort to the coast Ameri-
can refugees.
These orders have been carried out, and
our latest intelligence gives assurance OF
the present personal safety OF our cfti-
zens and missionaries. Though thus far no
lives of American citizens have been sacri-
feed there can be no doubt that serious
loss and destruction of mission property
have resulted from riotous conflicts and
outrageous attacks.
By treaty several of the most powerful
European powers have secured right and
nave assumed a duty not only In benalf or
their own citizens and in furtherance OF
their own interests. but as agents or the
Christian world. Their right is to enforce
such conduct of the Turkish government
as will restrain fanatical brutality, and
their duty is to interfere so as to insure
against such dreadful occurrences in Tur-
kew as lately shocked civilization. The
powers declare this right and this duty 10
Re theirs alone, and il is earnestly hoped
that prompt and effective action on their
part will not be delayed.
The new consulates at ErZerum ana Har-
poot. for which appropriation was made
last season. have been Professionally nlleu
by trusted employees of the Department of
State. These appointees, though now IN
Turkey. have not yet received their exc
quaturs.