The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-12-11
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.

At the outset of reference to the more
important matters affecting our relations
with foreign powers, it would we'll afford
me satisfaction if could assure the con-
gress that the disturbed condition in Ash
attic Turkey had during the past year as
sumed less hideous and bloody aspect,
and that either as consequence of the
awakening of the Turkish government to
| the demand of humane civilization, or as
the result of decisive action on the part
of the great nations having the right by
treaty to interfere for the protection of
those exposed 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 Intervention
! we have been afflicted by continued and
not unfrequent reports of the wanton de-
struction of homes and the bloody butch
cry of men, women and children, made
martyrs to there profession 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 means assured. Our government
at home and our minister at Constanti-
nople have left nothing undone to protect
our missionaries in Ottoman territory,
who constitute nearly all the individuals
residing there who have a right to claim
our protection on the score of American
citizenship.
Our efforts in this direction will not be
relaxed, but the deep feeling and sympa-
thy that have been aroused among our
people ought not to so far blind their reas-
on and Judgment as to lead them to de-
mand impossible things. The outbreaks
: of blind fury which lead to murder and
pillage in Turkey occur suddenly and
without noise, and an attempt on our part
to force such hostile presence there as
might be effective for prevention of pro-
lection would not only be resisted by the
Ottoman government but would be re-
garded as an interruption of their plans
by the great nations who assert their ex-
elusive right to intervene in their own
time and method for the security of life
and property in Turkey.
everal naval vessels are stationed in
the Mediterranean asa measure of caution
and to furnish all possible relief and ref
uge in case of emergency. We have made
claims against the Turkish government
for the pillage and destruction of mission
: airy property at Harpoot and Marash dur
ing uprisings at those places. Thus far
tn validity of these demands has not
been admitted, through our minister,
prior to such outrages and in anticipation
OF danger, demanded protection for the
persons and property of our missionary
citizens in the localities mentioned, and
: notwithstanding that strong evidence ex-
: lists of actual conspiracy of Turkish troops
In hn unplY of nd 0llha
The facts as they now appear do not per-
NIT to doubt the justice of these claims
and nothing will be omitted to bring
about their prompt settlement.
do not believe that the present sombre
prospect in Turkey will be long permitted
TO offend the sight of Christendom. 1t so
- mars the human and enlightened civiliza-
ton that belongs to the close of the nine
teenth century that it seems hardly posi-.
bic that the earnest demand of the good
people throughout the Christian world for