Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1896-12-10
ON TOAST.
The Massacre of armenian Is De-
I'm no Uncertain Terms.

nounccd In no Uncertain Terms.
IN obedience 10 n constitutional require
ment ! hereby submit 10 the congress GER
tain information concerning national affairs
with the suggestion of such legislation as
in my Judgment is necessary and expedient.
To secure brevity and avoid tiresoine nara
tion l shall omit many details concerning
matters within federal control which by
no means unimportant are more probably
discussed in department reports. ! shall
also further curtail this communication by
emitting Il minute recital of many minor
Incidents connected with our foreign rela-
tons which have heretofore found a place
in executive messages but are not contained
in a report OF the treasury of state which
Is herewith submitted,
Al the outset of a reference TO the more
Important matters not e~ffectlng our relations
with foreign powers, il would afford me
satisfaction If ! could assure the congress
that the disturbed condition In Asiatic
Turkey had during the past year assumed
& less hi1eous and bloody aspect. and that
either as a consequences of the awakening
OF The Turkish government 20 the demand
of humane civilization, or as the result OF
decisive action on the part of the great
nations having the right by treaty 10 inter
fere for the protection Of those exposed TO
the rage OF mad bigotry and cruel fanati-
cism, the shocking features Of the situation
had been mitigated. Instead. however. OF
welcoming a softened disposition or pro-
tective Intervention. we ha ye been af-
ficted by continued and not infrequent re-
ports of the waRton destruction of homes
and the bloody butchery of men, women
and children, made martyrs 20 their pro-
fession OF Christian faith.
While none of our citizens in Turkey
have thus far been killed or wounded.
though often in the midst of dreadful scenes
of danger. their safety In the future is
- - o.. ~. -
home and our minister at Constantinople
have left nothing undone to protect our
missionaries in Ottoman territory. who con-
stitute nearly all the individuals residing
there who have a right TO claim our pro-
lection en- the score of American citizen
slip
Our efforts In this direction will not be
relaxed, but the deep feeling and sympathy
that have been aroused among our people
ought not 10 so far blind their reason and
judgment as TO lead them to demand I'M
possible things. The outbreak OF blind
fury which lead 10 murder and pillage In
Turkey occur suddenly and without notice.
and an attempt On our part 10 force such
a hostile presence there az might be eff.
fective for prevention OF protection would
not only be resisted by the Ottoman gov
eminent but would be regarded as an In
terruption of their plans by the great ma
lions who assert their exclusive right TO
intervene In their own time and method for
the security of life and property in Turkey.
Several naval vessels are stationed In the
Mediterranean as q measure Of caution and
10 furnish all possible relief and refuge In
case OF emergency. We have made claims
against The Turkish government for the
pillage and destruction Of missionary prop
erty at Harpoot and Marash during up
risings at those places. Thus far the valid
ity OF these demands has not been ad-
rptffaI thaupSh NH minister fricr Tn ouch
RACES and in anticipation Of danger. de-
manded protection for the persons and
property of our missionary citizens In the
localities mentioned. and Notwithstanding
that strong evidence exists of actual com
plicity of Turkish troops In the work OF
destruction and robbery. The facts as they
now appear do not permit 20 doubt the
Justice of these claims and nothing will be
omitted 10 bring about their prompt set
Element.
A number Of Armenian refugees having
arrived at our ports. an order has lately
been obtained from the Turkish government
permitting the wives and children OF such
refugees 10 Join them here. 1t is hoped that
hereafter no obstacle will be interpcsed to
prevent the escape Of all those who seek to
avoid the perils which threaten them In
Turkish territory.
Our recently appointed consul to Erzer-
cum is ar his post and discharging the
duties of his office, though for some un-
accountable reason his formal execuateur
from the sultan has not been issued.
] do not believe that the present sombre
prospect In Turkey will be long permitted
to offend the sight OF christendom. 1t so
mars the huinane and enlightened civiliza-
ton that belongs TO the close Of the nine
teenth century that IL seems hardly possible
that the earnest demand of good people
throughout the Christian world for its cor
receive treatment Will remain unanswered.