New-York tribune., 1896-04-03

, por,a Cases OF violation OF religious privileges
IA - civil rights are made known al the Patri-
.rc,a.e and thence brought TO the attention OF
,,a nroner power. The ecclesiastical organization
= .ho only organization OF the Armenians In
Turkey and hence the Patrarchate becomes a'
o,ce the political and religious centre OF 'he ma
.or Nav when the very life OF the Armenian
"' as heing DESTROYED by the succession OF
.ssacrss that began In this city on September
a. o,d continued through the two name-marKe'i
r,nths Of October and November. from lreo@onu
a Oorfa two courses were open 10 'he fa'i
srchate: one to keep silence, utter no protest. anu
,,erehv give tact consent 10 the false Statements
.en, out by the Porte as 10 the origin OF the us
o-s.rs. the other course TO denounce the Porte 10
". n',-o-o,, powers defend the Armenians from
49, ,o,sa charges made against them. and puo-
H., .he ,ac,s abroad. The first course meant re-
Yards honors, favors from the Government a.
.,a nr,ce OF lie; the latter meant EMMY Pef'e
cut,on. possibly death. The Pairiarchate chose
,he latter, II told the truth. and II ths mas
..cres continued. and even grew worse iro'" "ee"
a. wAsk and II forced conversions 10 Islam were
carried bus.ly on, II was not because 'ie
archa.e did not do It's fulI duty -
mis- course OF action caused the hosuhty OF 'Hc
porte already reused. 10 become bitterly intense.
Oriental Governments do not tolerate oeihg oaiheu
IN their desires by their suoJects' Fa''o'Ni
Matthias who was known 10 be the centre anu
soulo ~ fearless action u! tHS
rss marked for vengeance. But for a month inc
c.-,,,.o, wa,ted until II was assured that all
danger NJ Furopean intervention was past. 1he",
vben the famous concert OF the Powers had ehueu
In the Aasco Of the 'stationnaires' .ne fo'
Turned 20 the work OF settling scores with the Ar
nenian Patriarch AS has been mentioned IN
PREVIOUS letter, four prominent and wealthy Ar
,,or. ,ere summoned 10 the palace IN the nrst
,..L an January and were instructed 10 procure
the resignation Of the Patriarch. Tney did the'r
heat with all the jealous servility OF 1o'er"Iiei'
>avor1tes working upon the hopes and iears OF 'ne
members of the National Council. But all was
vain The Council early in January voted i's con-
ndence in the Patriarch. and the Government was
baked.
,acause of its temporary defeat For the last TWO
months and half 1t has kept us OBJECT s'eauiis III
view and has used every means In lis power s"o''
OF actual force TO attain It's END flnay' aooo' u"
middle OF March. the Porte weary oil It's irult'esS
norts sent to the Patriarch a notice that was IN
tended as an ultmatum. The Patriarch was COM
manded 20 sign an abject address laying the blame
,non the Arrnenans for all the late disorders 10
resign or 10 be prepared 10 see new ana more ter
rlble disorders break out In Anatoha. Ihere the
Porte rests its at present. The reply OF lhe
Armenian Council given on March I. 1he
Council at a meeting held on that day. expressed i's
full confidence in the Patriarch. but at the same
hest In order 10 terminate the strife with the
Porte This. being interpreted. means that II the
p,,riarch thinks IL best 10 resign. his resignation
VIII Se accepted by the Council. . .
Thus the responsibility OF the decision Us thIoMH
unon ,he shoulders Of the Patriarch. HIS position
is sgorizing: not because mis- life Is IN danger.
Those who have personal knowledge or the man
believe that this consideration is the Ieast o. MS
cares bur his duty calls Aim strongly IN pom oirec
tons on one hand Is the threat OF the Porte; ana
Il is not improbable that In this case tie ~
would be az good ts word The haif.sheatnesdd sd
sword can readily be drawn. Moreover. the ut'a mn
and tirne-serv.ng element In the Armenian haeoh
are anxious fOi the retirement OF TINS DoIu coui
ageous man They cry for peace at any pr1ce,;a sI
would gladly make the Patriarch the sacIinciai h
altering In the third place. the Huntchagsls VINO
have found In Matthias Ismirlian a man 700 srea'
FOR their designs, clamorng FOR ms i,iei -
slight pretext would arouse these rabo re'oiu''o"-
lists 10 the most desperate steps against niih 49,.
On the other hand Is the ncontrover,ipie Iact .at
there Is no other in the Armenian natIo" ~
wise 80 strong SO calm as Matthias lsmirian. ne
OF a nations hstory-a godlike man. his race
scanned with the suffering Of years. Is resoiute pc
yond comparison. In his every word ana acton
there IL revealed the born king OF men II any man
can lead this people through these tIouDies IL 10 ~
II he resigns there will be nothing then 70 nope IoI:
The Patriarchatt Will become the servlie nstI ueni
OF the Porte and Ottoman oppression can p.o.eedd d
unchecked by any protest While ne stahus anu
directs the affairs Of the Armenian ChuIcn lhese
Is still some faint hope for the wretchtd tnousa1s
in Anatolia He has bound up the WOUNDS maoe
during the last six months 10 an extent known "
only a few When ne falls the last hope expires.