The Portland daily press., 1896-01-06
THE ARMENIANS.

1
Largely Attended Mass Meeting at
City Hall.
Addresses by Mayor Baxter and Rev. Mr..
Allen-Dr. Parsons Makes Thrilling
A. largely attended meeting was held at
City Hall Saturday evening to express
sympathy with the suffering Christians
of Armenia. Hon. James P. Baxter pre-
sided, and introduced Rev. W. S. Ayres,
W no offered prayer.
Mayor Baxter then spoke very briefly,
expressing his sympathy with the people
of Armenia. He spoke of 1t as disgrace
to civilization that the great nations
of the world have been content to watch
the game on the political chess board,
indifferent to the murder of more than
100, 600 Armenians. He closed by pre-
senting Rev. Z. r. Allen of this city.
Mr.. Allen referred to the great map
back Of the platform and said that
while it was rudely drawn it was perhaps
necessary as only this week he was
asked if the missionaries in China would
be in any danger because of the trouble
in Ammonia. When people are confused
regarding places 5000 miles apart a map
ay not be out of order.
Mr.. Allen first of all spoke OF thu life
and work Of the prophet Mahomet. and
then gave hurried sketch of what fol-
lowed after the death of the prophet. He
gave the oath that is taken by those who
renounce Christianity AS some have done
within the last few months under strong
pressure and in danger of death. He gave
the official prayer offered up daily by
those who believe in religion of the pro-
phet. prayer that asks for the
DESTRUCTION OF CHRISTIANS
and the giving up Of their women and
children, goods and cattle to the Moslems.
1t is prayer in marked contrast with
that of Christ.
Mr. Allen then asked four Armeni-
ans to rise. One was dressed in the
national garb worn by the Armenians
20 years ago, but discarded by them since
| for European costume. Another was clad
in the garh of those who go about preach
ing the religion of the Koran. Another
was dressed in the garb of the Kurds, and
the fourth was dressed as shepard.
Mr.. Alien then took up the question !:
els the Sultan responsible for all this
work of death that has shocked the civil
liked world" He said that the system
Of taxation established by the present
Sultan can be written robbery for it
is nothing less. When he began his reign
ne found the Christians of Armenia
filling many offices, but he removed
them all, and then armed the Kurds for
the work of death. Mr.. Allen gave q
thrilling sketch of the movements of the
Moslems against the Armenians. He said
| that his own people in Harpoot looking
out from the mission station, could see
the smokeof many burning villages. Mr.
Allen said that one of his Armenian
friends said to him this week: ~ wonder
if the
SMOKE OF BURNING VILLAGES
|
cannot help asking these questions while
not doubling God"
| He spoke of scene when the Kurds
broke into the Christian church and the
pastor said to his people as he was taken
out to die: My brethren, let no one
forget to die like Christians.
/ He spoke of the Sultan as having found
a way to keep the Kurds employed other
wise than in rebellion against his throne
He then spoke of the political compli-
cations that will keep the great powers
from doing anything to help the Armeni-
ans. He suggested that a way out of
it might be for the bear and the lion,
Russia and England, to divide Turkey
between them. That is not, however,
possible, but it might be possible for the
powers, the United States included, to
insist that schedule of reform be car
ried out in the 20 Armenian provinces,
with their own representatives in every
important city with far more than the
power of consuls to enforce the rights of
the Christians there
Rev. DR.. Parsons of the Chestnut
street M. e. church was next introduced
by Mayor Baxter. He said
This is an important question and it
has thrilled the heart of Christendom
as it has not been stirred in recent years
1t is an awful question, maddsning
question. Suppose in this country even 100
people we're in danger, mass meeting
like this would rise as one man to de-
mand that it stop. 1t would be repe-
tition of the scenes that followed the
FIRING ON FORT SUMTER.
1t is an appalling event, the most ap-
palling of this great century now draw
ing near its close. We could not at first
believe that such things could be possible
and for time we stood silent and we
are standing silent still.