The Indianapolis journal., 1896-01-29
TOWN-MEETING sTATESMANSHIP.


The discussion of the Turkish-Ar
can be called discussion which consists
largely of random word firing at dis
tant and not very clearly perceived tar
get, presents some features which, in
spite of the tragic aspects of the case,
are almost amusing. The resolutions be-
fore the House were intended to be ex-
pressive of sympathy for the Armenians
and of censure for the European powers
signatory to the treaty of Berlin for not
performing their duty in putting a stop
to the massacres. This opened {. wide
field for oratory Of the irresponsible kind
and brought out some surprising state
ments. The opening speech in favor or
the resolutions was made by Mr.. Quigg
a member of the foreign affairs commit
tee, who admitted at the outset that the
United States had. as yet. cause of
action against Turkey herself. There
was assurance from the State Depart
ment, he said, that no American citizen
had suffered in person, and as for the
property of the American college that
had been destroyed, Turkey fully recog-
nized her liability. Therefore our inter-
est in the case was purely humane"
Humanity is altogether commendable,
but governments and legislative bodies
should not parade it too officiously. Mr..
Quigg said he wanted the European pow
ers who were parties to the treaty of
Berlin, which guaranteed protection to
the Armenians. Ito know that the Amer
lean people are watching their derelic-
tion." He did not warn the signatory
powers that the eyes of the people Of the
Fourteenth district Of New York were
on them. but this was evidently what he
meant
Mr.. Hepburn. Of Iowa, was not salts
fed with a protest or a demand on the
European powers to do their duty. He
wanted Congress to instruct the Presi-
dent to give the Turkish minister his
passports and at once terminate all
diplomatic relations with that govern
ment. When reminded that it would be
unprecedented to terminate all inter-
course with friendly power he shouted,
1--WE want no friendly relations with
murderers." and this fine outburst of in
House. When reminded that our trea-
ties with Turkey enabled the United
States government to protect its citizens
in that country he replied, But they
have not stayed the knife of the ruthless
murderer" He failed to state, however.
how the dismissal Of the Turkish minis
ter at Washington and the abrupt break
ing off Of diplomatic relations with
Turkey would accomplish anything in the
direction of protecting American citt
zens or stopping the Armenian mas
sacres He wished that a new Peter the
Hermit might arise in Europe, and said
many other things that showed high
state Of mental exaltation.
Mr.. Hardy. OF this State, suggested
that the United States should have been
a party to the Berlin treaty. forgetting
that that would have deprived us of all
standing ground for the defense of the
Monroe doctrine. Mr.. Bailey thought
that as the United States could have be-
come a party to that treaty but declined
to do so. Ii would not be proper for the
United States now to charge the parties
to the treaty with failing to carry out
their obligations. Mr.. Hardy asked,
did the United States have an oppor-
tunity to be a party to that treaty?"
and Mr. Bailey unhesitatingly answered,
1T did" AS nothing more erroneous
| or ridiculous than this could be said, the
| discussion ended then and there. and
under the previous question the resolu-
| tions were adopted.
The Journal regards the whole discus
| sion as unwise and unfortunate. Per-
| haps there was no objection TO Congress
adopting resolutions deploring and con-
demning the outrages in Armenia and
expressing sympathy with the sufferers.
1 though even this is outside OF the held
OF legislative action. but 1t certainly
should not arraisn and scold European