Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-07-13

speak at least few words on behalf of the
Armenians and arrange that each person
who leaves your meeting should receive a
leaflet similar to the which you have in
hand? The national Armenian relief COM
mittee will supply them to you If you will
only send to the secretary list of your
appointments. mentioning the number of
leaflets required at each place and the adj
dress of the person to whom they might
be sent.
At the close of her address Miss Leitch
called Miss krikorian to the roStrum, and
taking from the railing small silk Ameri-
can flag, threw it around her head and called
upon her hearers to unite their efforts to aid
the suffering people represented before
them. This incident touched the hearts of
the thousands in the tent, and as the audi
ence arose to sing at the wave of Mr. Bill
horns baton. there were tears in almost
every eye, and the voices of the singers were
choked.
Rev. b. Fay Mills.
The addresses were closed by Rev B. Fay
Mills Of Fort Edward. N. Y. He spoke ex-
temporaneously. and with evident inspira-
ton. He said that he hoped it would not
seem strange that his voice should be heard
on this occasion. when there was no par
ticular reason why he should be interested
in this matter any more than any other
American, vet he hoped that all his hearers
were equally interested and concerned with
him. He then explained that the great diff
ficulty about this case is that the Armenians
are not a nation, but merely exist in the
midst of a greater people, Just as the Jews
exist in America today. So they cannot rise
like an organized force and secure their lib
erty.
Mr.. Mills recited the facts leading to the
Armenian massacres He spoke Of the plans
of the sultan in preparation for the mas
Sacres, which eliminated at Sassoun with
horrible butcheries. Then he said: "The
world, aghast, stood silent by to see what
Europe would do. What did Europe do?
One nation after another whispered into
the ear of the sultan that they would stand
by him." He recited the facts in relation to
the formation Of the joint commission of in
quiry, which brought forth some dreadful
revelations. which inspired the sultan to
send for the chief general at Sassoun and
reward him with a high appointment.
A scheme of reforms was prepared and
put in the hands of the sultan who said
he would look 1t over and he held it for
months while he was making his prepa-
rations for second assault on the Ar
meEiaEs and Immediately after the docu-
ment was signed there came a succession
of the most unspeakabe scenes of MUIR
der and outrage. Mr.. Mills gave an idea,
as he Said only a faint idea of the char
atrocities that were enacted in the name of
the Moslem religion -.
Causes of the Massacres.
He said that one Of the chief causes of
these deplorable events was to be found
in the virtues of the Armenians them
selves. He described them as one of the
most Industrious and moral people In the
world, and he declared that of the 1890
Armenians now living in America not one
has ever been brought before an Ameri-
can court charged with crime. nor has
single Armenian name been written on the
records Of any charitable institution in
this country. The Armenians, he went on,
have been touched with the spirit of the
nineteenth century and the Turk has re-
allied that If he does not crush them they
will soon become sufficiently enlightened
and therefore sufficiently powerful, to
crush him.
The second cause, said Mr.. Mills, is the
great fanatcism Of the Moslems, and he
read the prayer that Is daily offered in
the Mosques hundreds of thousands of
times. in which the Turks call upon their
God 10 destroy the infidels and make
their children orphans and def1le their
abodes." As their prayer has not been an
swered they have undertaken to answer it
themselves The Sultan of Turkey Is q
brainy man. probably the most intellectual
ruler who has governed the people since
the great prophet, and he sees that this
must be battle to the death.
The responsibility for the situation lies
at the doors of the nations of Christian
Europe, and some Of 1t, said Mr.. Mills with
impressive emphasis, at the doors of the
United States.
At this utterance there was q great out
burst Of cheering on the part of the audi
ence. Mr.. Mills continued:
The Flag No Protection.
when few moments ago the flag of