New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-18
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL.
THE RESPONSIBILITY UNMlSTAKABLE
REPORTS OF MISSIONARIES IN ARMENIA CON-
CERNING ATROCITIES BY THE TURKS con-
rRurp ny A BUSINESS RESIDENT.

REPORTS OF MISSIONARIES IN ARMENIA CON.
CERNING ATROCITIES BY THE TURKS con-
FRMED BY BUSINESS RESIDENT.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: There can be no doubt In the minds OF the
Christian public to the responsibility TOT the Ar
menian atrocities yet there exists an element wnich
is disposed to doubt any and all rumors concerning
the afflicted Armenians.
First OF all I wish to assure you that am III no
way connected with the diplomatic reunue OF 'nis
country nor am associated In any way Win HIS
sonares except that know them and nave learneu
to regard them with much respect and esteem.
am simply engaged In business in my own hteres.
and am absolutely Indifferent to the influences OF
politics or religion so far these massacres are
concerned but during the period OF residence III ''
locality have been Mortified observer OF H'a'y
prosecutions and become cognizant Of many more.
which, in point Of cruelty and boodthlrstiness never
were paraeled in the history or the world
Ever since the Turko- Russian war the perseeu'io"
of Armcnians has been carried on with a persever-
ance and regularity by the Turkish Government '"a'
suggest the ultimate obliteraton OF the race iloi
the face OF the EARTH unless a restraining mana 10
raised In their behalf.
1t is wel.-known fact that II Turkey were ue
nrived Of the thrift and Industry Of the Armenian
the country would be reduced to bankruptcy IN
short time for 1t is by means OF the taxes anu JIM
extortons imposed upon the people hV'hs III ''o'e
letr hat he Government
ion the Armenlans are deserving of the sympathy
and prase of the whole Christian world ior h'a"-
tanning their religious belief all these years, In spite
Of the tyranny OF the Mosems since the advent OF
Mahomet. ;,
Any one travelling in the interior could OBTAIN all
the details he desired from the Turks themselves as
70 their deyilish treatment OF Armenans wme
Turkey was enjoying her normal condition OF peace
and ouiet Now however, one need only WISH the
once-prosperous cities and villages ana observe '"e
awful devastation OF farms and industries Inc ues
late homes. the starving ana SUFFERING pe'p'e' ~
realize what has occurred and who is respohs'pe
for IT,
Much Of the information given By the MISSION
aries has been published and am panied to learn
that many Americans give no credence 10 the s'oi'es
whatever, probably because they are almost oeyo1'
the Imagination OF cruelty. DO these scep'icS 'e
lze what "A noble self-sacrincing class Oh Peopo
they are who have given up happy homes ana as
sociations for the purpose Of educating dowhtrou
den race OF people. that they may some I'd! oc'o"e
INDEPENDENT and shake off the yoke OF Mosiefh ues
po;ism and also take their place athohs o'
christian nations? Their intelligence. religion anu
moral instincts er.itle them to that position In''
tho American missionaries should circulate iaiso
reports or sanction anything but the true oe'a" VI
the situation is too ridiculous for consuera''o"' anu
any who think so would do well 10 study 'He oia'
acter OF the people. the work they are ehsase' H.
and the hardshIps and setDacSs 'hey e"u''S - "
prosecution OF Christian duties
viss Cornnl shattuck who for some years has
rosl1cd in Orfa witnessed the massacre Oh over
three thousand people last December ihese u
f,rtunates had escaped from their MONIES P'e''
10 the massacre and took refuge In the Ar"e".,
church After hundreds had been tortured 10 uea'"
q, the s,rees the soldiers broke into the church ana
poured petroleum upon the people. ami deper"'e''
get fire to that living mass OF humanity "a" ""'
thing 80 horrible b. conceived? Ana YET "'
no, compare In brutality to the tor'ures h'ic'7'
upon individuals. On the contrary ue"'" ~ ~
ing Is a mercy In comparison
Many women and children fed to the Amer'o""
.rhool ,or protection. Miss Shattuck accommo-
dated about two hundred and hf'y people, tg " or
sickness Sh. administered TO thtlii a. issteI
oyrn d"nyng herself substantial food mat ,hey
might not -tarve. This woman ~ s'yW w. ,hs Gun
Sry and while engaged In this same work as pgi en-
pe s.y word OF praise In regard 70 triS nrncn en-
are others in fac; al y6 The in rrkey that are
s sasei ae, "Isls'' Of ygrstitadc rv
IN" Armenians have been termed co"a, -,
ground and night It Is impossible for them 20 pu.o
chase arms. oven thourh they ma ma ,demonsrated
recently by their obstinate and successiu usie
Of Zeoun against large army o. Ismed Erreroum
nth. slyas Diarbeklr Mamouret-ul-Azis, Ian'
Angora Adana and Aleppo me asS hicb v.re per-
fcciy Organized and under the cominann o' m ~
*9osn Offers Of The T cass ec A I in iecosn
HkrA-
don Of their inhuman slaughter OF Innocent mn IT,
tisns Tho Government asserts. however. thaI tse
evolutionary party responsible TOT the uPiis
lncs and that the troops we're ony de'aeu 20 su,
nrr.s tho riots There is a revolutionary se"en..
ronnosei OF weli-to-do Armenians, but they are
the ones who equipped Zetoun and held II asahns.
rho forces OF The Government. but IN no o'he
locality have they important organzatlon, anu
In no other districts have they been the assressos'
There ia no alliance between Russia ana turkey,
or even an understandings more than mas peeh IN
exisienc. since the war turkey became IN.
debtor OF Russia to the amount or S-J'VU~ Al tha'
time and has Increased the debt nearly every yes
Recently Russia granted another loan, Which
strengthened her grip upon Turkey. 50 an alliance
is NOT necessary when Russia thinks IL mas gone
f,r enough she will step IN and take VIVA, she
wants II il would only be soon. there would oe
some hone OF relief but 1t looks as though the
Turks we're 10 have full sway until their blooi-
thirsty intentions accomplished ~
European residents OF constantlnople are ieeuhs
much easier owing TO the patronage OF hussla put
all other seaport anticipating Toupie.
SMYRNA. SO far has been free from serious up
rs!ngs the local Governor being disposed ana ape
TO suppress any riots that have occurred. since
the beginning OF December from Six 10 a dozeh
gunboats we're anchored In tho harbor when ac-
counts for the feeling OF security and general quiet
At present. however. there IL ohIy one ie''' the
United States ship San Francisco. , ,
II the American press ana me American p"oIIe
will give their moral support 20 any underIakny
that liz intended To afford reiet 10 the a,,'c.eu'
they will do great dea! or gpod ~ l. H.