The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-09
KNAPP'S CASE.
The Minister Now Turkeys
Prisoner at Diarbekir.
He Was Born in BitllS, But His Pa
rents Were American.

LONDON Aprl D. D-There is much inoi,
nation In England over the intention ol
the Sultan OF Turkey 10 exclude Christian
missionaries from Asia Minor, and those
who were active i'm measures In behalf OF
the Armcnans take n leading part also In
voicing the public sentiment on this ques'
ton. The case OF Rev &. p. Knapp, the
American missionary ut Bitlis, who is de-
tanned at Diarbckir, is attracting much
attention.
A special meeting OF the Armenian
committee was held yesterday TO give ex.
preston OF opinions on this subject. The
Duke OF Argyle presided, and he stated
that the Duke of Westminster had re-
ceived information that hostile measures
against the Christian missionaries were
contemplated by the sultan.
The secretary Of the committee reported
that an Trade had apparently already been
signed by tho sultan decreeing that the
missionaries should be banished, and that
Rev. Mr.. Knapps withdrawal was viewed
with CONSERVATION by his colleagues, and
would be most disastrous in every way.
After hearing statements of the situa-
ton, the meeting adopted resolution pro-
testing against the measures threatened
by the sultan, and urging the British gov
ernment TO do its utmost TO secure the
immediate withdrawal of the trade.
The case of Mr.. Knapp was made the
subject OF n special expression. n resolu.
tion-to the effect that the committee, hav.
ing heard with deep regret of the inn
prisonment of Mr.. Knapp, at Diarbekir
earnestly request the government to take
Ina, t.tn oh, ha .7f
Mr.. Knapp whose self denying labors In
the distribution Of relief to starving Ar
menians had been the means of saving
many lives-was adopted.
The meeting then appointed deputa-
tion TO wait upon Mr.. Balfour, first lord
of the treasury, and TO urge upon him to
increase tho number of British consuls In
Asiatic Turkey, as their presence there
had n salutary effect In restraining the
outrages upon Christian subjects of the
sultan and in giving countenance to the
work of relief by the missionaries.
Knapp Was Born In Bitiis.
Rev. George Perkins Knapp, who is inn
prisoned I'm Diarbekir. eastern Turkey Is
the son of the late Rev. George G. Knapp
of Bitis. He was born in Bitlis In 1863,
HIS latHti anu DClHk
Of the American board. He went to the
United States tc complete his education,
and was graduated from Harvard college
In 1887, and from Hartford seminary In
1890. He was ordained in Pennington
Conn, in 1890.
He was married to Miss Anna J. Hunt OF
Barre, Mass, in July, 1890, and embarked
the same month with his wife for Turkey.
His sister, Miss Grace Knapp, is also
missionary OF the American board in
Bitlis. In 1SS3 while his father was
travelling from Moosh to Bltlis in com.
pany with DIR. g. G. Reynolds of Van,
they were set upon by three Kurds, one Of
whom was the notorious Mousa Bey, and
most cruelty beaten, barely escaping with
their lives.
The region in which the Knapps have
labored has been difficult one The con.
flict Of races has been going on not only
in the city of Bitlis, but In the districts
near them In which have occurred those
disturbances which have caused such ex.
citement throughout tho civilized world.
Yet, notwithstanding the difficulties, sue
cess Is said to have attended their mis-.
sionary labors.