Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-11-08
FRANCE AND TURKEY
THE HANOTAUx SPEECH ON THE
ARMENIAN QUESTION.
The SULTAN PROMISES REFORMS.
The French Ambassador mt Constan-
tinopIe Instructed to watch the
Application OF These Mensures-
What NJ. Hnnotaux Said.

PARIS, November 7.-Advices received
here from Constantinople show that when
the Sultan received a report OF the
speech delivered by NJ. Hanotaux, the
French Foreign Minister, I'm the Cham
Der OF Deputies, last Tuesday. In re-
Spouse to an Interpolation demanding
10 know what action France would take
in defence Of the Armenians, he sent one
Of his secretaries to NJ. Cambon, the
French Ambassador, who impressed upon
the secretary the urgency that existed
for the Sultan to adopt measures that
would reassure public opinion and satisfy
Europe.
The Turkish Ambassador in Paris has
now informed NJ. Hanotaux that the Sui
tan has decided upon carrying out the
following reforms: The release Of pris-
oners throughout the empire against
whom no charges are preferred; to in
struct the police that peaceable Armeni-
ans are not to be prosecuted; to con-
woke an Armenian assembly to elect
g Patriarch; 10 court-martial Mazhr Bey
for allowing Father Salvador TO be muir
dered; TO dismiss the vail of Darbekir
for the share he took in the disorders
there; to precisely instruct the wallis to
repress violence; TO undertake the indem-
Indication of the Roman Catholic con-
vents in Anatolia, which were damaged
during the outbreak; TO assist the in
habitants Of the districts which suffered
most, and 10 publish shortly a decree
ordering the prompt execution I'm Ana
tolia of the reforms granted in 1895, and
the extension Of these reforms to the
whole empire.
NJ. Hanotaux thanked the Ambassador
for the information, and told him that
he had precisely instructed NJ. Cambon
to watch the application OF these pre-
limnary measures:
HANOTAUX'S SPEECH.
In his speech to the deputies in response
to the Interpolation. which was submitted
by NJ. Denys. deputy for Cochin China.
and supported by Delafosse. Hubbard,
and Others NJ. Hanotaux said that the
Armenian movement would not have
taken upon itself such an intensity If
contact with Europe had not imbued GER
tain Armenians with a desire for indie
pendence. The excuses of the Ottoman
Government. he said, had furnished le-
climate motives for complaint and when
lnt QUESTION assumed an aspect Oh grave
importance. England understood the dan
ger of acting alone. A concert was es-
tablished among the Powers, and, I'm Oc-
tober, 1895. an understanding was reached
with the Porte that the latter would
grant reforms, which unhapply had not
yet been applied. Owing to the anarchy
which reigned in the administrative
sphere, troubles ensued, and France was
bound to use language the strength and
significance of which Turkey understood.
The Powers. he said, were convinced OF
the necessity Of their solid union, but there
must be no Isolated action, and no inter
ference with the integrity Of the empire.
Among the fertile results OF the recent
visit Of the Emperor Of Russia TO Paris, -
NJ Hanotaux said may be mentioned
the precise exchange Of views In regard
to the Armenians, and the perfect com
munity of ideas which exists In united
Europe will give the Sultan to understand
the necessity Of his assuring the security
Of all his subjects, of whatever race.
But violence will not aid the task Of
Europe. France does not forget the ira
dition of the religious protectorate which
she exercises in the Orient, nor the bonds
which unite her to the Ottoman Empire
but she must proportion her efforts TO
the extent of all the tasks devolving upon
her."