Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-24

previously expressed their desire to have
and late in the evening hurry to fnlsn
their business so as TO have everything
off their minds for Christmas In Arine-
mia Christmas comes on the 9Th Of Janu-
airy. and on that day business is at
standstill-shops. stores and Offices are
closed.
There Is always some individual recog-
nized by the community, who invites MS
friends and the neighborng families 10
attend dinner at his residence. Ii is GUS
tomary for each and every guest TO bring
fruit. 20 that every possible variety will
be represented. Then the leader or the
head OF the family asks Gods blessing
and His remembrance Of those who are
deprived Of the privilege Of participating
I'm such o pleasant occasion.
After the rcpast those present sing
hymns and praises TO God, and give
thanks for the past. and express hopes
Of obtaining the same in the future while
on this earth. Games are next In order,
which are followed by singing and dane
ing. and all other exercises which
would tend 10 add pleasure to the gather
ing.
EXTEND OVER THREE DAYi
The party usually continues until about
3 O'Clock the next morning. when those
another. and wend their way homewards.
This programme is repeated for the three
succeeding days. and IL can readily be
seen that ia the Christmas spirit dis
played by the Armenians, which was
implanted I'm them by their forcfathers.
friendships are rcstrengihened, the peo-
pie become more closely united and al
Inflated with ore another. and all tends
to produce a true, honest, and Christian
people.
1 have previously alluded 70 the plea
sures OF Christmas as continuing up TO
the last few years. Oh. yes; am sorry
to say that the recent years are years
OF remorseless crime and plumber. What
are the prosecutors Of Armenians trying
to accomplish? Have the civilized ma
tions investigated? Yes. they have; but
how much? l come 10 thank you from
nv heart and my soul, o. you good peo-
ple Of America. that your government Is
DESTROYS Of having the trouble In Ar
menla settled; but IL is the place OF my
neiehboring countries TO protect the poor
Armenian Christians by the treaty Of
right.
GREAT BRITAIN STANDS ALONE.
IT looks at present as II Great Britain
were the only one Of the six signatory
Powers that really Is Influenced by any
feeling Of sympathy and really wishes 10
do ANYTHING 10 protect the prosecuted
christians. Germany holds back as in
different as i'm the time Of Bulgaria's
agony. Austria is dominated by Ger
many italy Is too Isolated and too occu-
MED with her Abyssinian war 10 do any
thing by herself. France waits as an
humble lackey on the viii of Russia, ana
Russia Is not ready. Intervention Is very
likely TO mean partition. The powers that
intervene have got to hold territory, ana
may rot give II up
To protect the poor Armenians OF East
ern Turkey Russia must send an army 10
ErZrum and Van, and France, Austria
Italy. Germany, and England their armies
and~ navies TO COnstantinople and the
Mediterranean coast Russia would thus
hold a big piece Of territory along the
Black Sea. perhaps down TO the Persian
gulf. but that would not satisfy her. She
means TO have ConstantinoDie and Jeru-
salem. She regards herself as the sue
cessor OF the Greek Empire. as well as oil
the Greek Church and 10 her. therefore,
must come the old capital OF Constantine
and the holy city Of Helena. An interVen-
ton Of England ana the other powers
might nut off Indefinitely the accomplish
ment of this purpose. She viii do nothing
and allow nothing which viii interfere
with her manifest destiny" The pear
when ripe. will fall. she thinks, into her
Ian and she does not want IL piucAed pre-
maturely
Besides. Russia is now very busy, With
even more pressing issues In the FAR East.
There has been 70 war between China ana
Japan. and the latter Power has seized
Korea. and Chinese ports, on which Rus
STA has cast covetous eye. Frst. Ja-
nan must be driven out OF Korea and
China. and a big part Of the Chinese ter
ritory must be acquired By Russia, and
this will brook no delay Therefore.
Russia VIII forbid and prevent Engand's
Intervention IN Turkey. Unless there be
some massacre OF Greeks. or some up
rising OF young Turks in Cons,aniinople.
or an insurrection and slaughter IN Je-
rusalem. affecting Russian interests there.
fl now seems az II Russia would block
the way 10 any vigorous action by Eng
land, or any other European Power.
UNCLE SAM MUST HELP.
II no European Power does anything,
then has the United States any duty2
Yes: the first ir It's duty 10 protect It's
own citizens and property which Turkey
cannot protect and then protect the
poor Arnenians. In doing this the
United States take no part In the pol IT,
cal affairs OF the Old World and, II any
body worries about H. she viii not I'm any
way impair her Monroe doctrine. The
Monroe doctrine. with all It's applications
will not spoil II kept on ice for a little
while.
DO you free and happy people of Ameri-
ca mind that to-day tens of thou
sands OF subject Christians have been
martyrs because they believe In The same