The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-10-20
ARMENIA's sUFFERINGs.
Rev. 1. NJ Yonnn Talks Interesting
Iy of the Turkish situation.


Rev. 1. NJ Yonan Talks Interesting
Iy of the Turkish Situation.
Rev. 1. NJ. Yonan the Armenian mis-
sonary, mention of whose presence in the
city was made in yesterdays Morning
News, will lecture tonight at the Sunday
school room of the Independent Presbyte-
rian church on the subject of the Arme-
man problem. Mr.. Yonan is well qualified
to discuss this subject, having lived and
worked among his brethren in Armenia all
his life, and being thoroughly devoted to
their cause. He is also highly educated
and speaks English luently.
A large number of ladies were present
Yesterday afternoon to listen to the ad-
dress of Mr.. Yonan on the women of
the orient" in the Independent Presbyte-
rian lecture room. His description of their
condition was such as to arouse the sym
pathies of all of his auditors. Moham-
mechanism regards women as not being i'm
mortal, as, in fact, nothing more than the
animals themselves, he said Her educa-
ZION is never thought of for moment A
woman of 50 in Persia, so stated the
sneaker, knows no more than a child of
Years in this land. Much interesting, but
at the same time Sdus Information was
given as to the degradation of her state,
and earnest appeals were made to the
womanhood of America to ameliorate the
condition of their sisters in the eastern
lands
A Morning News reporter called upon
Mr. Yonan last night at the residence of
Miss Ellen McAlpin, on South Broad street,
where he is stopping. Mr.. Yonan discuss
ed the condition of affairs in Turkey with
q great deal of interest and feeling.
Mr. Yonan gives, as one of the great
causes of the Armenian massacres, the at
titude of the European nations which has
been merely that of spectators
"The Turks" he said, "are not to be
blamed so much for killing the Christians,
as the Christians are who let the Turks
kill other Christians. 1t is the very es-
sence of Islamism to prosecute all Chris
tians and polytheists alike, so that by
massacreing the Christian Armenians the
Turks have demonstrated the highest de-
votion to their religion.
But what l would like to impress upon
the readers of the Morning News is the
shameful policy of European governments
whose responsibility to that prosecuted ma
ton is greater than that of the Turks.
That commissions, representing England,
Russia and France, have visited Armenia
as far back as January, 1895, and have
confirmed all that had been said of the
extent Of the massacres. That the Euro
pean warships have anchored in the Oar
danelles and that the great powers have
demonstrated frequently with the sultan
IS true
'But the question is, has any good been
accomplished by these steps? Have all
the wounded hearts of the wretched Ar
menians been cured? Has the $S0000,0N
of stolen property been returned? Has the
unspeakable Turk expressed the slightest
penitence or remorse for the horrible mas
mfr tnl 10
only the contrary, in infaming still more
the wrath of the Turk and increasing the
torture OF the Armenians. Why then do
not these great powers take other steps
to restore peace and justice in the do
mains of the sultan. 1t is because they
are inferior in tactics, and weaker in re-
sources than Turkey? The common sense
of the human race cries no."
Turkish strength is the weakness of
Europe's division" said Mr.. Yonan.
"Unanmity on the part of European pow
ers would break Turkeys power and put
an end to the carnival of crime. Either
one of the great powers could crush the
Ottoman empire to atoms The accursed
spirit Of selishness lies at the bottom of
il all Their jealousies have prevented
them from going from remonstrance to
action in their dealings with Turkey. Sew
enteen years ago Russia had freed the
Armenians and had compelled the van
qusned turks to sign the treaty of San
etelano, but England interviewed and pre-
vented the carrying out of the treaty be-
tween Russia and Turkey. To-day the
same jealousy prevents them from taking
any effective measures in solving the Ar
menlan problem. Should either one of
me powers try to free Armenia from the
turkish government the fear would be
that the whole eastern question would
come to the front"
Mr.. fonan holds that America is in bet
Yer position to Intervene in behalf of
armenia than any European power. She
IS not engaged in any of the entangling
aAances which fetter the European ma
uons' She has no interest in what is
known as the eastern question. having
Holhlng to gain in that quarter of the
sioDe, and she has the right" said he.
TO take forcible action because of what
ner $50 missionaries, since 1920, all of
Whom are the noblest mem and women
this side of heaven, have suffered in that
accursed empire
MI fonan is a native of Aroonniah an
important town in Northwestern Persia
Mulch mas been a missionary station for
me last sixty years. The Armenfans
ueIe nave not suffered so severely as
thelr compatrots in Turkey. there having
Deeh only one massacre in that vicinity.
~ Wllch fourteen people were killed. The
Nuus' the inVeterate enemies of the Ar
1,eillahs' are all around them, though,
p,u would be glad of an opportunity to
rlulu er them, he says. Mr.. Yonan will,
~ iuuDt, nave a large audience tonight
~ near MN tell the story of Armenia's
"'O"sS' Ihere is no admission charge.