Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-12-09
IN BLEEDING ARMENIA.
Future Safety of American Citizens
by No Means Assured.

by No Means Assured.
At the outset of reference to the more
important matters affecting our relations
with foreign powers it would afford me
satisfaction if l could assure Congress that
the disturbed condition in Asiatic Turkey
had during the past year assumed less
hideous and bloody aspect and that either
as a consequence Of the awakening of the
Turkish government to the demand of
humane civilization or as the result of de-
cisive action on the part of the great ma
lions having the right by treaty to inter-
fere for the protection of those exposed to
the rage of mad bigorty and cruel fan
atheism, the shocking features of the situa-
ton bad been mitigated.
Instead, however, Of welcoming a soft
ened disposition or protective intervention,
we have been afflicted by continued and
not unfrequent reports Of the wanton de-
struction Of homes and the bloody butch
cries 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 wounded
though often in the midst of dreadful
scenes of danger, their safety in the future
is by no means assured. Our government
at home and our minister at ConstantinopIe
have left nothing undone to protect our
missionaries in Ottoman territory, who
constitute nearly all the individuals resid-
ing there who have a right to claim our
protection on the score Of American citi-
ZenShip.
Our efforts in this direction will not be
relaxed, but the deep feeling and sympathy
that have been aroused among our people
ought not to so far blind their reason and
judgment as to lead them TO demand i'm
possible things. The outbreaks of blind
fury which led to murder and pillage in
Turkey occur suddenly and without notice
and attempt on our part to force such
a hostile presence there as might be eff
fective for prevention or protection would
not only be resisted by the Ottoman gov
eminent but would be regarded as an in
terruption Of their plans by the great ma
tions who assert their exclusive right to
intervene in their own time and method
for the security of life and property in
Turkey.
warships Afford Protection.
Several naval vessels are stationed in the
Mediterranean as a measure of caution and
to furnish all possible relief and refuge in
case of emergency. We have made claims
against the Turkish government for the
pillage and destruction of missionary prop
erty at Harpoot and Marash during upris-
ings at those places. Thus far the validity
Of these demands has not been admitted,
though our minister. prior to such outrages
and in anticipation of danger, demanded
protection for the persons and property of
our missionary citizens in the localities
mentioned and notwithstanding that strong
evidence exists Of actual completely of
Turkish soldiers in the work of destruc-
ton and robbery.
The Armenian Refugees.
The facts as they now appear do not
permit us to doubt the justice of these
claims and nothing will be omitted to
bring about their prompt settlement.
number of Armenian refugees having
arrived at our ports Gan order having late
ly been obtained from the Turkish govern
ment permitting the wives and children of
such refugees to join them here), it is
| hoped that hereafter no obstacle will be
interposed to prevent the escape of all
] those who seek to avoid the perils which
| threaten them in Turkish dominions
! Our recently appointed consul to Ere
| roum is at his post and is discharging the
| duties of his Office, though for some unac-
countable reason his formal exequateur
| from the sultan has not been issued.
I do not believe that the present sombre
| prospect in Turkey will be long permitted
to offend the sight of Christendom 1t
| seems hardly possible that the earnest de-
| mand of good people throughout the Chris
tian world for its corrective treatment will
remain unanswered.