The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1896-12-17
TURKEY AND THE ARMENIANs.
United States Has Done Everything
Possible to Prevent BlOOdshed.


AT the outset of reference to the more
important matters affecting our rela-
tions with foreign powers. 1t would af-
fcrd me satisfaction If l could assure
congress that the disturbances in Asiatic
turkey had during the past year as
sumed a less hideous and bloody aspect,
and that either as a consequence of the
yielding Of the Turkish government to
he demand OF humane civilization, or as
the result Of decisive action on the part
of the great nations having the right by
treaty TO interfere for the protection of
those exposed to the rage and mad blgotry
and cruel fanaticism, the shocking feat
ures of the situation had been mitigated.
Instead, however, OF welcoming a soft
ened disposition or protective intervention
sc have hen aslicted by continued and
not infreqpent reports Of the wanton de-
struction o. homes and the bloody butch
cry of men, women and children, made
martyrs to their profession Of Christian
faith While none of our citizens in Tur-
key have thus far been killed or wound
ed. though often in the midst of dread
full scenes of danger, their safety in the
future Is by no means assured Our gov
ernment at home ana our minister at Con-
stantinople have left nothing undone 20
protect our missionaries in Ottoman ter
ritory, who constitute nearly all the m
divduals residing there who have a right
to claim our protection on the score OF
American citizenship.
Our efforts in this direction will not he
relaxed, but the deep feeling and sym
pathy that have been raised among our
people ought not to SO far blind their
reason and Judgment as to lead them to
demand impossible things. The outbreaks
OF blind fury which lead to murder and
pillage In Turkey occur suddenly and
without notice, and an attempt on our
part to force such u hostile presence
there as might be effective for preven-
ton OF wotection would not only be re-
sisted by the Ottoman government, but
would beresarded as an intrusion by the
great nations who assert their exclusive
right to Intervene at their own time and
| by their own method for the security OF
| life and property in Turkey.
Mvai Force at Hand.
| Several naval vessels are stationed in
me Mediterranean as measure or eau
tion and o furnish all possible relief and
refuge In case of emergency. We have
made claims against the Turkish govern
ment Tor the pillage and destruction on
missionary property at Harput and Ma
rash during the uprising at these places.
Ihus far the validity of these demands
has not been admitted, though our min
ister priQ to such outrages, and in an
ticipation Of danger, demanded protection
for the prisons and property of our mis-
| slonary athens In the localities men
Toned aid Notwithstanding that strong
evidence exists of the actual completely
or Iurklh soldiers In the destruction and
ROBBERY the facts as they now appear
40 not PRINT us to doubt the justice OF
lnese CLANS and nothing will be omitted
TO prlhg tbout their prompt settlement.
"A num'er of the Armenians having ar
rived at bur ports, an order has lately
peen Outlined from the Turkish govern
nleh1 permitting the wives and children
OF such efugees to bring them here. Ii
Is hoped that hereafter no obstacle will
be imposd to prevent those who seek tc
aVolu th' perils which threaten them IL
Turkish dominion.
our recently appointed consul to Er-
zeroum hat his post and discharging the
duties o1his office. though for some un-
accountate reason his formal exequatol
rom me ultan has not been Issued. dc
Ilo' peleS that the present sombre pros
pee. IN irkey will be long permitted tt
oIleho th sight of Christendom. 1t Sc
uiars tnelrmane and enlightened civiliz
a'lon lna belongs to the close OF the 1871
century lat 1t seems hardly possible tha
wy eurhst demand OF good people
ll'Iousnot the Christian world for III
eeiieeuV' treatment will remain unan