Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-05-19
1T WAS NARROWING.
The Story of Armenia's Awful Wrongs as Told
at the Southside Baptist
Church.

The Southside Baptist church was
filed Sunday night by people of all de-
nominations. who had assembled to hear
the situation in Armenia explained by
Mr.. Hagop Bogigian, a native of that
country, and Mr.. s. S. Blanchard of Bos-
ton.
The visitors and Mayor VanHoose oc-
cupied seats on the rostrum at the invi-
tation of the pastor.
DR.. Hale In a few pithy remarks pre-
pared the way for the speakers and then
requested the mayor to introduce them,
which that official did in short speech
of eloquence and fervor.
Mr.. Bogigian has for long time been
a resident of this country, but has kept
in touch with all that has transpired in
his fatherland. He spoke huently and
to the point, Illustrating his remarks
with map OF the region which has been
devastated by the Turks. Forty-eight
red crosses thereon indicated forty-eight
cities which had been laid waste during
the past year. Before touching upon the
persecution Mr.. Bogigian asserted that
the Armenian, wherever found, was
reputable and thrifty citizen. In Man.
chester, England, for instance, of eighty
five bankers forty-four were Armenians.
In all countries they Were foremost in
y.
the ablest ministers of the Khediye of
Egypt was an Armenian, and the Turk
ish government itself had advanced
many to high official stations-always,
however, without the borders of Ar
menia.
The horrible massacres which have
been going on for a year, Mr.. Bogigian
said, were the results of fanaticism. The
Turk, outside Of his religion, was kind,
courteous and even gentle. But he be-
comes frenzied when swayed by re-
ligious emotions and is a veritable de-
mon. Now the signatory powers had
forced the sultan to accede to certain
reforms, one of which was that wherever
Armenians were In the majority they
should have full share of the judiciary
and municipal officers The massacres
were the result of a deliberate purpose
on the part of the Turkish government
to so reduce the Armenians that it would
be impossible to command such repre-
sentation. The speakers recital of atroc-
tiles by the Turkish troops was harrow
ing. There were details upon which he
could not touch, but his story aroused
pity and indignation in every hearer.
Tens of thousands of men and women
had been butchered, the brutal soldiery
often catching the blood as it streamed
from the victims and drinking it, Moth
ers and daughters had been violated and
the torch applied to cities, villages and
hamlets. Even the vineyards and the
orchards had been destroyed, and the
unfortunate people often had to subsist
upon roots. grass and bark. Even now,
with all the relief which had been sub
scribed. the greater portion were living
upon black bread, and little of that. The
death rate by starvation was appalling.
Mr.. Bogigian closed by appealing to his
auditors to aid this long suffering peo-
pie. "Give them your prayers, your
moral support and financial assistance IL
you can," he said. Mr.. Bogigian was
followed by Mr., Blanchard who confirm
ed what had been said by documentary
evidence. He explained the nature of the
work of the Red Cross and the vast
amount of good being accomplished. A
contribution of $50 had kept 1000 Ar
menians from starving. 1--WE In the east. |"
he said in conclusion, "exciaim: Oh for
one hour of Gladstone In power The
grand old man would stay the bloody
hand of the Turk. /" sr