Red Lodge picket. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1889-1907, 1896-12-12
TURKEY AND THE ARMENIANS.
United States Has Done Everything
Possible to Prevent BINodshel.

At the outset of reference to the more
important matters affecting our rela-
tions with foreign powers, it would af-
fcra me satisfaction if 1 could assure
congress that the disturbances in Asiatic
Turkey had during the past year as
SGmed a less hideOuS and bloody aspect,
and that either as a consequence of the
yielding of the Turkish government to
the demand of humane civilization, or as
the result of decisive action the part
OF the great nations having the right by
treaty to interfere for the protection of
those exposed to the rage and mad bigotry
and cruel fanaticiSm, the shocking feat
ttreS OF the situation had been mitigated.
Instead, however, of welcoming a soft
ened disposition O. protective Intervention
we have been afflicted by continued and
not infrequent reports Of the Wanton de-
struction of homes and the bloody butch
cry of men, women and children, made
martyrs to their profession Of Christian
faith. While none of our citizens in Tur-
key have thus far been killed or wound
ed though often in the midst Of dread
ful scenes of danger, their safety in the
future is by no means assured Our gov
ernment at home ana our minister at Con-
stantinOple have left nothing undone o
protect our missionaries in Ottoman ter
rItCry. who constitute nearly all the III
GiViduals residing there who have a right
to claim our protection on the score Of
American citizenship.
our efforts in this direction will not be
relaxed. but the deep feeling and sym
patny that have been raised among our
people ought not to SO far blind thei!
reason and judgment as to lead them to
demand ~ NJS-lDle tIiu47. lie outbreaks
"a. UllIt L4ry which lead 70 murder and
DI as il turkey occur suddenly and
*5llIOut holic@, and an attempt ON our
taTi 10 force sucH hostIle presence
-heTc a. nign. De effective for preveu-
tIUn oT pioLte,Ioi "uhl nUt only De Re
sisted by Lhe Ottoman GONGfHment, btu,
would be regarded as an intrusion by the
great nations Who assert their exclusive
right to intervene at their own time and
by their own method for the securi. ~ OF
Hfc ana property in Turkey.
Naval Fierce at Hand.
Several naval vessels are stationed in
the Mediterranean as a measure of eau
ton and to furnish all possible relief and
refuge in case Of emergency. we have
made claims against the Turkish govern
ment for the pllage and destruction Of
missionary property at Harput and Ma
rash during the uprising at these places.
Thus far the validity Of these demands
has not been admitted, though min
lister prior to such outraSeS, and in an
ticipation of danger, demanded protection
for the persons and property Of our mis-
sienary citizens in the localities men
toned, and, notwithstanding that strong
evidence exists of the actual completely
of Turkish soldiers in the destruction ana
robbery, the facts as they now appear
do not permit US to doubt the justice OF
these claims, and nothing will be omitted
to bring about their prompt settlement.
4 number of the Armenans having lr-
rived at our ports, an order has lately
been obtained from the Turkish govern
ment permitting the wives and children
of such refugees to bring them here. It
is hoped that hereafter no obstacle will
be imposed to prevent those who seek 10
avoid the perils which threaten them IN
Turkish dominion.
Our recently appointed consul to Err
zeroum is at his post and discharging the
duties Of his office, though for some un
accountable reason his formal eXequator
from the sultan has not been issued / do
not believe that the present sombre pros
pect in Turkey will be long permitted 70
offend the sight Of Christendom. 1t SO
mars the humane and enlightened civilz-
atlon that belongs to the close OF the 18th
century that it seems hardly possible that
the earnest demand of good people
throughout the Christian world for its
corrective treatment will remain unan-
sWered.