Omaha daily bee., 1896-09-25
BLAMES TURKISH OFFICIALS
Grand Old Man Comes Out Of Retirement
on Behalf of Armenia.
GLADSTONE URGES DECIDED ACTION
Declares that England Has just TITLE
10 Threaten the sultan with
Z Coercion that Does Not I'm
Itself Mean War.
Downright. 1896, by the Associated Press)

Jill HUT ulHB III Nv NlNllANS =" ''hb'' -
circus. all anxious to push in and hear the
address which Hon. william e. Gladstone
had announced his willingness to make be-
fore the meeting called by the Reform
club to protest against the recent massacres
of Armenians at Constantinople and else
where In Turkey.
The doors of the circus building were
opened for the admission Of the audience
at 10 o'clock, and at II the vast auditorium
was packed to it's utmost capacity.
Mr.. Gladstone, Mrs. Gladstone, Mr.. Her
bert Gladstone and other members OF the
family arrived in this city at noon aud
were welcomed at the railroad station
by a crowd of about 1000 people, who
greeted the veteran statesman with hearty
cheers as he and his family were recog-
nized. At the entrance of Hengler's cir
Gus Mr.. Gladstone was received by a long
and wildly enthusiastic outburst of applause
upon the part of the crowds who were
- unable to obtain admittance, and when
the great liberal leader entered the au-
ditorium there was a roar of applause which
could have been heard a mile away. The
cheering was continued for a long time
after Mr.. Gladstone stepped briskly on the
platform at 1880 p. m, and bowed graveiy
in acknowledgment of the enthusiastic well
come accorded hin.
The earl of Derby, who presided, was ac-
: Companied by the countess of Derby, and
upon the platform were many persons or
distinction in political, commercial and So
cial life.
After the usual formalities of opening
such a meeting had been concluded, the first
resolution, proposed by a conservative and
seconded by a liberal, was put. 1t read:
THAT this meeting desires to express
dts indignation and adherence of the cruel
treatment to which the Armenians are
being subjected by their Turkish rulers, and
of the massacres which have recently oc-
Cured at Constantinople which are a dis
( grace to the civilization of the nineteenth
I century"
The resolution was adopted by acclama-
ton.
GRAND L MAN SPEAKS.
When Mr.. Gladstone rose to speak he
looked well and hearty for a man of his years
of hard work. He bowed repeatedly in
response to the outburst of cheering which
greeted him. When he was able to make
himself heard, Mr.. Gladstone, after a few
preliminary remarks, moved the following
resolution, which was received with thunders
of applause, during which every person
present was upon his or her feet, wildly
waving hats, handkercniefs, sticks or
umbrellas:
THAT this meeting trusts that her
majesty's ministers, realizing to the fullest
extent the terrible condition In which their
fellow Christians are placed, will do every
- thing possible to obtain for them full
y security and protection; and this meeting
assures her majesty's ministers that they
may rely upon the cordial support of the
A"N ~ 49,
may feel it necessary 10 take for that
purpose"
When the applause had been Gained down
by the outstretched hand of the aged states
man. Mr.. Gladstone declared his adhesion
to the principles contained in the resolutions,
and said he came there, not claiming any
authority except that of a citizen of Liver
pool. But he added, the national platform
upon which the meeting was based gave
greater authority for sentiments universally
entertained throughout the length and
breadth of the land, and urged that in this
matter party sympathies should be re-
Continuing. Mr.. Gladstone said: 81 enter
tain the lively hope and strong belief that
the present deplorable situation Is not due
to the act or default of the government of
this great country" Cries of "Oh," and
rheers.") The present movement he added,
sis based on the broad grounds OF humanity
and is not directed against the Mohamme-
dams, but against the Turkish officials,
evidence of whose barbaTities rests In
credible official reports"
Now. as in 1876, to the guilt of massacre
is added the impudence of denial, which
will continue just as long as Europe Is con-
tent to listen"
Mr.. Gladstone then expressed the opinion
that the purpose OF the gathering was de-
fensive and prospective. saying that nc one
could hold out the hope that the massacres
were ended, although he ventured to an
ticipate that the words spoken at the meeting
would find their way to the palace at Con-
stantinople. cloud Checrs.)
Mr.. Gladstone then said: 81 doubt IL 1t
Is an eXaggeration to say that 1t was In the
sultan's palace, aud there only, that the
inspiration has been supplied and the policy
devised OF the whole series of massacros.
When the sultan carries massacre into his
own capital, under the eyes OF the am
bassadors, he appears to have geined the
very acme of what it is possible for him
to do"
put" the speaker further said, "the
,vaoly,,nag of JinlopaRN trust is about N
be strengthened by the echo Of this nations
voice" Great CheerinSO
:. URGES PROMPT ACTION.
Mr.. Gladstone then alluded to the
supinencss Of the ambassadors of the powers
at Constantinoplc and said; The concert
of Europe Is an august and useful instru-
ment. but 1t has not usually succeeded in
dealing with the eastern question, which has
arrived at Il period when 1t Is necessary 70
strengthen the hands Of the government by
an expression OF national %opiuion. | he
lleye that the continued presence OF the
ambassadors at CcrstGntinople has operated
= as n distinct countcnaucc to the sL!tiH, who
Is their recognized ally.
''Dut while ur~ing the government to act.
It does not follow that even for the sake
of the great object in Wow Great Britain
should transplant Europe into a state Of
war. On the other hand, however, | deny
that England must abandon her own right
10 independent judgment and allow herself
TO be doinineered by other powers (Cheers)
Mr.. Gladstone also said; have a
just title to threaten Turkey with coercion
that does not in itself mean war, and | think
that the first step should be the recall of
our ambassador. (Cheers) And 1t should
be followed by the dismissal OF the Turkish
ambassador from London. Such a course
is frequent and would not give the right
OF complaint to anybody. When diplomatic
relations are suspended England should in
form the sultan that she would consider the
means OF enforcing her just and humane
demands. / do not believe that Europe
will make war 20 insure the continuance
of massacres more terrible than ever re-
corded in the dismal, deplorable history OF
human crime" loud cheering)
Mr.. Gladstone. who spoke for about twenty
minutes. was In good voice and did not
seem fatigued when he had finished.
Before the arrival OF the Gladstone party
and the distinguished guests In the audito-
rum OF Hengler's circus there was a spOn-
taneous outburst Of patriotism, everybody
present standing bareheaded AID Joining in
singing GOD Save the Queen
Copies OF the resolutions adopted Will be
forwarded to the cabinet ministers.
EreaI Ganalcta In E.af.