New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-12-16
TURKEY AND THE POWERS.
MRS. JOHN DREXELS GUESTS ENJO- A
LECTURE BY MISS ROBERTS.
SHE SPEAKS ~ BEHALF or THE CONDEMNED
TURK. THOUGH NOT A. Az ArorOGIsT

SHE SPEAKS IN BEHALF OF THE CONDEMNED
TURK. THOUGH Not A. Az AroIOcIsT
FOR TURKISH CRUELTY
Turkey and tho Powers" was tho subjcc, OF the
lecture given yesterday morning by Miss Gcorgina
Roberts at tho homo Of Mrs. John Drexc. No -
East Thiry-fourth.s II was logical pre-cnta-
tion OF great subject.
This Armenian trouble" said Miss Roberts rs
only 81 the side issues OF tho great Eastern ques-
,ion. although 1t s matter OF great importance
in International politics to-day.
Il am not an apologist for Turkish cruelty and
misrue. but there no palliating circumstances
Is there nothing In Justice 10 be said In behalf OF
tho condemned Turk
Turkey must be Judged not in the HIGHT OF her
present condition but In tho past. when in the
plenitudc OF her power She mistress OF her
SELF
The lecturer gave n brie' historical sketch o, tho
country the better TO understand It's present post
ton When Oihman with 90 families took pos
session Of Turkey - years ago. he found feudal
system Of government which h. allowed 10 exist.
but the mixed naiounlltlcs OF tho kingdom with
no power Of assimilation have made government
difficult.
The different people conquered by the Turk still
remained absolutely dlssimilar. the Armenlaus.
kurds and Bugarars and # IL said that there arr
no less than eleven different races in Turkey hating
Turkey AT the zenith ~ her power treated her
Christian subjects fairly and kindly in fact. she s
suffering to-day from the liberal concessions made
10 the different Christian sccts. At first the Sui
tan granted certain privileges to induce foreigners
settle In the country. such as exemption from
taxation. oxccp. land and custom duties. invio-
liability Of domicil, and freedom from the urisdIc
dction of 10 al courts
AS time went Turkey became poorer and the
foreigners more powerful. and they demanded an
oxtcr sion OF privileges which was denied.
During tho unfortunate war with Catherine
II In 1859 the Begs of Roumelia. Anatoia and Lcb-
anon sought to throw off the yoke Of Turkey. but
Sultan Mahmoud believing they already had too
much liberty determined TO crush out the rebellion
by destroying the feuddl system and establishing
tho absolutsm OF centralized government. ie
ais, overthrow the janisseres which lessened the
tice OF farming out the taxes $1,000. a.. ,.......
mcni for the privilege Of collecting the taxes
which leads TO no end OF corruptio, cx,"rtioi am
of the Internal Turkish troubles at the present
time 49,. ,.., ,o,.r,,oo ., on, nro,,ca altar
smother iii now at bay she il nghting for her
existence. and while we d.pore ana Condemn the
atrocities committed In listening to the historical
cutbursts Of dcnuncatioas lrnst her. let us not NOT
forget that Christian naons hye done .ns ,hs
Of the Jews In Russia and civilized Germany.
~ xs, o because Of the seiishncss Of Europe in
preserving tn. balance OF power Four times fn ns
bu rr1cl
lard has said Hands OF. seeing menace TO her
route to India. .,, 49,, ..,,,o.,
destiny First for religious reasons. Second. Ioi
,thicai reasons believing that II new map OF
th. ca me source should be class,d together Third.
ambition for territorial extension. ,,,.,.
France Is Interested to protect .he Latin Chris
t,ons iu SYRIA and the continued occupation or
t,vn, hv England complexities the situation.
N}ss Roberts bcisy.s that while Europe Is look
ing toward n settlement of the question. me soiu-
lion Of The difficulty far off, because cach nation
wants 30 much and there are so many rlVai claihs
interests and jealousies. r.. , ,,
'.The Ncrn Congress was blamed Tor demanding
forms for Christians Instead OF general reforms.
sbe continuod "thercby stirring up eninty between
IT, Christian and rhos, OF the Mosem faith. ana
Tho conduct Of England in securing the island or
t;vnrus has been severely criticised
.'rbc unwse encouragement given 10 armenia ID!
Lpplan nd has added the trouble because no great
country however sympathetic. can ala unless
through concerted action - 49,, ,,o,
Tbere are sixty prominent women who attend
these subscription lectures. among whom are MIS-
Erederick w Vanderbilt Mrs. John Wiimerding.
Mrs. Gordon Norrie Mrs John G. Eeckscher Mrs
fensndict Mrs Columbus Old Iselin. Mrs. Cornelius
H.. Pn,s WagstafY Mrs. Herman Livingston. Miss
Dictew Mn Olive Livingston Jones. Miss Zela
Gihhes Mrs Jules Reynal. Mrs. Morrellaner Mrs
Rnher, Hoe Mrs Arson P. Flower. Mrs Charles
Rerrvman Mrs. Charles 3. Alexander Mrs. Ches-
tnr Crtswold Mrs. William Kingsland: Miss Beck
,ea Mrs b p. Trowbridge. Mrs. Furniss; Mrs
iRcn}am Knower Mrs. Daniel Winslow and Miss
"a