Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1896-12-19
Armenian Troubles.

Armenian Troubles.
At the outset of a reference to the
more important matters affecting our
relations with foreign powers, it would
afford me satisfaction II / could assure
the congress that the disturbed condi-
ton In Asiatic Turkey had, during the
past year, assumed a less hideous and
bloody aspect and thai either as a con-
sequence Of the awakening Of the Turk
ish government to the demand of hu-
name civilization or as the result Of a
decisive action on the part of the great
nations having the right by treaty to
Interfere for the protection Of those eX-
posed to the rage of mad bigotry and
cruel fanaticism, the shocking features
Of the situation had been mitigated.
Instead, however, Of welcoming a soft
ened disposition or protective interYen-
ton, we have been afflicted by con-
tinued and not u~nfrequent reports OF
the wanton destruction Of homes and
the bloody butchery Of men, women
and children, made martyrs to their pro-
fession Of Christian faith. While non
Of our citizens in Turkey 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 mean
assured. Our government at home and
our minister at Constantinopie have left
nothing undone to protect our mission
aries in Ottoman territory, VINO constl-
tute nearly all the individuals residing
there who have a right to claim our pro-
lection on the score of American citizen
ship.
Our efforts in this direction viii 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 impossible things.
The outbreaks of blind fury which lead
to murder and pillage in Turkey occur
suddenly and without notice, and an at
tempt on u part to force such a hos
tile presence there as might be effective
for prevention or protection would not
only be resisted by the Ottoman gov
eminent, but would be regarded as an
interruption Of their plans by the ma
tons who assert their exclusive right
to intervene in their own time and
method for the security of life and
property in Turkey.
Several naval vessels are stationed
In the Mediterranean as a measure OF
caution and to furnish all possible re-
lief n refuge In case of emergency.
We have made claims against the Turk
ish government for the pillage and de-
struction of missionary property at
Harpoot and Marash during uprisings
at these places.
Thus far the validity Of these de-
Y11r n dc hoe mot haan aanniffn1 fhnlfph
our minister, prior to such outrages,
and in anticipation of danger, demand
ed protection for the persons and prop
erty Of our missionary citizens in the
localities mentioned, and, notwithstand-
ing that strong evidence exists of &C
tual completely of Turkish soldiers In
the work of destruction and robbery.
The facts as they now appear do not
permit us to doubt the justice Of these
claims, and nothing should be omitted
to bring about their prompt settlement.
A number of Armenian refugees hav-
ing arrived at our ports, an order has
lately been obtained from the Turkish
government permitting the wives and
children Of such refugees to join them
here. 1t is hoped that hereafter no OBJ
stacle would be i~nterposed to prevent
the escape Of all those who seek to
avoid the perils which threaten them
In Turkish dominions.
Our recently appointed consul to
ErZorum is at his post and discharging
the duties of his office, though for some
u~naccountable eas his formal axe
fuator from the sultan has not been is
Gued. l do not believe that present SOM
Der facts in Turkey will long be per-
mitted to offend the sight Of Christen-
dom 1t SO mars the human and en-
lightened civilization that belongs to
the close Of the nineteenth century that
p seems hardly possible that the earn
est demand of good people throughout
this Christian world for Its corrective
treatment will remain unanswered.
The War in Cuba.
The insurrection in Cuba still contin-
ues with all Its perplexities. 1t Is diff
cult to perceive that any progress has
thus far been made towards the pacif-
cation of the island or that the situation
of affairs as depicted in my last annual
message has In the least improved. If
Spain still holds Havana and the sea-
ports and all the considerable towns.
the insurgents still roam at will over
at least two-thirds Of the island In coun-
try II the determinations Of Spain to
put down the insurrectson seems to
strengthen with the lapse Of time, and
is evinced by her a~nhesitat.ng devotion
OF largely Increased military and naval
forces to the task, there In much reason
to believe that the insurgents have
gained in point Of numbers and charac-
ter and resources. and are none the less