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

more important matters affecting our
relations with foreign powers, it would
afford me satisfa elton if / 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 that either as a con-
sequence Of the awakening Of the Turk
ish government to the demand of hui
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 interVen-
tirv wanren -uvsuuctroh' III 'nohIes ana
the bloody butchery of men, women
and children, made martyrs to their pro-
~fession of Christian faith. While none
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 ano
our minister at Constantinople have left
nothing undone to protect our mission.
~ III oNboiiIdH WIZ tOilSll-
tute nearly all the individuals residing
there who have a right to claim u pro
lection on the score Of American citizen.
ship.
Our efforts in this direction will no
be relaxed, but the deep feeling anC
sympathy that have been aroused
among u people ought not to sc fal
blind their reason and judgment as t
| load An~ - IL
The outbreaks Of blind fury which leao
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 effectiv,
for prevention or protection would no
only be resisted by the Ottoman gov
eminent, but would be regarded as ar
interruption Of their plans by the ma
lions who assert their exclusive RICH
to intervene in their own time ant
method for the security of life anC
property in Turkey.
Several naval vessels are stationed
in he Mediterranean as a measure O
caution and to furnish all possible re
lief and refuge in case of emergency
We have made claims against the Turk
ish government for the pillage and de
struction of missionary property a.
Harpoot Inc Marash during uprising!
at these places.
Thus far the validity Of these de
mands has not been admitted, Though
u 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 ir
the work of destruction and robbery
The facts as they now appear do moi
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 interposed ID prevent
the escape Of all those who seek t.
avoid the perils which threaten them
In Turkish dominions.
Our recently appointed consul ia
Erzorum is at his post and dischargine
WV Noti'o u hio OhiIC, tHOuSu IOT SOInS
unaccountable reason his formal exc
Iuator from the sultan has o been is
sued. l do not believe that present SON.
Der facts in Turkey will long be per-
mltted 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
= seems hardly possible that the earn
est demand of good people throughout
his Christian world for it's corrective
treatment will remain unanswered.
The War In Cuba.
The insurrection In C'u',a 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. IL
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 /. III the determinations OF Spain to
put down the insurrect.on seems to
strengthen with the lapse OF time, and
Is evinced by her unhesitating devotion