The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-02
IN ARMENIA'S BEHALF
MEMORIAL TO THE PRESIDENT
FROM EPISCOPAL BISHOPS.
Appeal for Action Looking to the
Prevention Of Further Atrocities
by Turks-More Relief Needed.

NEW YORK, Feb. 2.-This numerously
signed and earnestly worded memorial has
been mailed to President Cleveland
Strive, bishops of the Protestant Epis-
copal Church in the United States OF
America, beg most earnestly and respect
fully to address you, the chief magistrate
OF the Nation, in relation to the massacre
OF our fellow-Christians in Armenia The
extent OF these massacres is not fully
known. but enough is known to reveal the
horror or the situation and to call for the
indignant protest of all civilized and Chris
tan people. IL Is estimated by those well
acquainted with the facts that not less
than $4,000 of our fellow-Cnristians are
now suffering and are in danger Of perish
ing in consequence OF the massacreS in
Asiat.c Turkey, and that at least $1,000
nave been already murdered. In Trebizond
and Ezerum, In the provinces OF Bitlis,
Van and Harput and in the whole district
describable misery and outrage. Villages
are sacked, property is destroyed and men,
to death for holding to the faith and prac-
tice OF the Christian religion.
THE entire severance of church and state
in country should not be allowed to
stifie our sympathies or hamper our action
in case like this. Ii should rather stimu-
late them 1t is a case which especially APP
pealS to US as men and Americans AS c1t1-
zens of this Republic we have learned TO
know and dared to maintain that no form
Of religious belief should expose it's adher-
ents to persecution. 1t is as representatives
and mantainers OF this essential American
principle that we appeal for national action
in this matter of foreign persecution
whose details are too horrible to depict or
eEumerate.
1--WE sincerely trust that some measure or
measures consistent with the national ira
ditions and the national dignity may be de-
vised. and that speedily, which shall bring
the whole force of the national sentiment
to bear upon the solution of this subject;
massacres; to succor the unhappy and i'm
poverished survivors of them and to secure
for the future ample guarantee for the safe
ty of a Christian people in the exercise
and maintenance of their faith.
1--WE feel profoundly that nation
should cease to recognize the Turkish gov
barbarous treatment CT the Armenians con-
tinues, and that IL should bring every in
fuence to bear upon the civilized nations
of Europe which may cause them TO present
a united front in demanding that such
atrocities cease at once and forever"
The memorial is signed by the bishops in
the Eastern part of the country, and to their
names will be added the signatures of West
ern bishops, who have been communicated
with but have not had time to answer. The
memorial is the outcome Of a recent meeting
Of the Church Club at which DIR. Peters, of
st. Michaers Church. presented letters from
reliable persons in Armenia, whose disclos-
ures were so impressive that a committee of
three was appointed to confer with Bishop
Potter. He brought the matter to the notice
OF the archdeaconry of Westchester two
weeks ago, and Archdeacons Tiffany and
Van Kleeck and DR.. Peters were appointed
a committee to obtain the signatures of all
OF the bishops of the church TO the appeal
addressed to the President. A similar COM
munication is to be sent to the Archbishop
of Canterbury, the Car OF Russia, the En-
peror of Austria and the Emperor OF Ger
many.
Order Not Yet Restored.
BOSTON. Feb. Letters at hand from
Hadjin state that that place is the only
town within the Eastern Turkey district
which has thus far escaped being plundered
by murderCus Turks and Kurds. However,
there are still disturbances on every hand
and one of the late letters from Hadjin
stated that until the contest which still
continues at Zeitoun between the Armenian
Christians who hold the city, and the Turk
ism soldiery, who are trying TO retake it,
Is settled. there is no hope for tranquility
in that region Our new Governor, says
the writer, who Is not Turk, but a
Georgian, has within the short time since
his arrival won the esteem and the graft
des.ri0us to do all he can 10 please Amer
who are in immediate need of help. Car
avans sent out 10 bring in supplies from
Adana have all been pressed into service
by the government to carry provisions to
the army outside of Zeitoun'
Relief Needed at Erxerum.
R(fS TON Feb The American hoar1