Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-11-08

Ont parts or Europe ana the OHiteu
States in 1874 II was estimated that
there were 1000 In the State OF lassa~
chusctts.
Important stations OF American Con-
gregational and Presbyterian missions
have been maintained In Turkish Armo-
MIA, comprising in 1894 fifteen stations.
ISIS out-stations with 1873 American la
borers and 7e1 native helpers, III ehurches,
and II .4d members, and 1854 sunday
school adherents This mission has also
four theological schools, tweniy-nine
theological students. thirty-one colleges
and schools FOR boys. with. 1913 pupils. ana
twenty colleges and schools for girls,
with 1.l2l pupils There are also BIZ COM
mon schools with 1885 pupils: and me
contribution OF the natives 70 the Amai-
can Board OF Missions was $ii,I5S. IN
March, 1894. there were reports OF specAi
outrages by the mountain Kurds, who
had been organized recently by the SUI
tan into the Hamedieh, or irregular
cavalry. They have always been preda-
tory tribes, dwelling In the mountains,
and marrying the civilized people Of the
valleys. Recently their chiefs had been
called to Constantinople, and given mill
tary rank. These Kurds, partly uni
formed ignore all civil local authorities,
and as organized greatly increased Their
outrages on the property and persons OF
the Armenians.
Revolutionary Armenans, called Hun
chagists. have formed societies In Tur-
Key. England and America, and have
tried to meet oppression with violence.
One attempted. March %. 1894. 10 xii, the
Armenian patriarch in Constantinople. as
unfit for his Office. The Patriarch es-
capped. but soon resigned. Under color
msssed in August in the neighborhood OF
Mush, and presently reports came out
from Sassun. southwest OF Mush. OF ter
rihle outrage and murder. Later con-
frmatory reports showed that in August
and September not less than twenty
seven villages had been ravaged and de-
stroyed by Kurds. with the help OF regu-
lar troops and from G0OO to 1000 men,
women. and children massacred, hun
drods Of women being violated before
being murdered. and other atrocities Of
brutal cruelty beyond description being
committed These reports were denied
by the Turkish officials in Constantlnople,
and the Turkish legation in Washington,
but were so confirmed that earnest re-
monstrances were laid before the Porte
by the representatives. Of the European
powers and the United States; and No
vember so 1894. the Sultan sent COM
mission to investigate them. This COM
mission reported in May, 1896. practically
confirming the reports. which, by that
time, were substantiated by multiplied
testimony, and had been followed by re-
ports Of other like outrages. Many Ar
menians were arrested and tried for in
surrection and sedtion. the trials, by re-
port Of the London Daily News In Febru-
airy, 1885, being wholly farcical and I'M
just Meanwhile. multitudes OF Arme-
mans were fleeing over the border into
Russia although not a few Of them were
attacked and murdered by Kurds on their
journey
In May. 1895, the representatives in
Constantinople Of the European Powers
united in pressing upon the Sultan the
necessity of reform in Armenia, ano
their recommendation, though rejected a,
first. was formally accepted in juno, in
anticipation of united naval demon
stration. In July American missionaries
at Mush, trying to help the impoverished
and ruined people. were greatly retarded
by the Turkish officials. while the kurds
continued their depredations New out
RACES We're continually reported, and
more imperative remonstrance came
from the Powers in August. october 2,
1895. several hundred Armenians IN Con-
ances OF their countrymen before the
Sultan. Their Patriarch dissuaded them,
but they pressed on to the palace, and
in a conflict with the police about sixty
Armenians and Turks were killed. There
was from this continual rioting aud
bloodshed I'm Constantinople. About 500
from the crowd were arrested, and It
was said that many were murdered in
prison Afobs looted the Armenian shops,
and murdered the people, the po-
lice giving no protection. 1t was re-
ported October 18th that 700 had been
killed These disorders were no doubt
intensified by the violence Of the young
Turkish party, which demanded reforms
for others besides Armenians. and was
understood TO threaten even the life of
the Sultan. Hundreds Of Armenians in
Constantlnopls took refuge in their
churches and could hardly be persuaded
that their lives were safe elsewhere. The
ambassadors Of the Powers urged upon
the Porte. November 5th, that the whole
military strength of the empire be APP
piled TO put an end TO the massacres,
which still continued. November 9th
Babri Pasha, who had been dismissed
from his official position on the repre-
sensations Of the British Ambassador,
because Of his ill-treatment Of Arme-
mans. was decorated by the Sultan as
a reward for good services, and many
others were so honOred who had been
UNANIMOUSLY prominent in Armenia No
vember 18th the Turkish garrison al
Zeitun. between ErZerum and Trebizond.
surrendered 10 a body Of Armenians, who
occupied the Zeitun barracks. with
their arms. ammunition. and supplies
Further reports continued through No
vember. 1895. Of massacres and outrages.
and It was estimated that 5000 persons
were killed in the first three weeks of
that month November 18th news came
Of the saclling Of the Armenian Mis-
slonary College and headquarters at
Harpoot. The property destroyed was
valued at 100000 About 500 Armenians
we're killed there. but the American mis-
sionaries escaped to a place Of security
II was said November 49, 1895, that the
repre0enta tives Of the Powers were con-
WINGED that the Sultan was unable TO
control events. whatever his wish might