The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1896-11-04
LATEST NEWS FROM WASHINGTON
TURKEYS EXPLANATION.
The sultan's Government Says the Armen-
isns Have Been Well Treated.

The Turkish government, according to re-
liable information received here. has notified
the sgnatory powers OF its intention to exc
cute to the fullest extent the entire spirit Of
the reforms embraced in the treaty OF Ber-
lin. The measures TO be adopted, II Is learn
3D. will carry the reforms not only into the
ak provinces OF Turkey contemplated by the
treaty, ami peopled by Armcnians, but will
embrace the entire empire. The authorities
at Cons,antinople have taken steps TO coua-
teract the public disiayor against Turkey,
due, IL Is felt, to lack Of knowledge OF the
con iitions surrounding the Armenian
troubles. The information thus conveyed
shows clearly the purpose ana policy which
tho Turkish government has In view to ter
inmate tho distressed condition OF the coun-
try.
1t is pointed out that the Armenian sub
jects of the sultan have retained their ma
tionality, their religion and their wealth for
the last GOO years, under the protection of
the Ottoman empire, and that in no other
country have the Armcnians been protected
in this independent exercise OF all their
rights and privileges As an evidence OF
this. the fact Is cited that 5D7 non-Mussul-
mans are employed in the Turkish govern
ment service at COnstantinope uonc, while
the number of Mussumans in the govern
ment service is but 1900 Considering the
difference In population. IL Is said that the
-
proportion of public employment than the
Mussulmans. This same favor, IL is said,
holds good throughout the populous por-
tions of the empire, where the sultan has
sought to give tho -Mussulmans II full
share in government affairs. But the au-
thorities feel that there has been lack Of
appreciation and gratitude of the part of the
Armenians, and that they have risen against
tho government. circulated reports calcula-
tod to shake the stability OF the empire, thus
running business and trade within and COM
merce without.
The Armenian revolt was started It is said.
in order TO secure autonomy In the six pro-
vinces where the Armenians are most
numerous. In these six provinces there are
100000 Arnenlans, while the number Of
Mussulmans as shown by official census IL
5000 900 ana there are In addition 2,000,0
Mussulmans not included In the census.
That 500, 900 people should seek to enforce
their rule upon u population ten or twelve
times as great who are satisfied with the ex-
isting government and their conditions, Is
pointed out as an injustice which the Chris
tian world should be loath to accept. The
fact that troubles have occurred at Constan-
tinople and elsewhere IL not denied by the
authorities, and they have appointed COM
mission there to try and punish the guilty
without discrimination. The commission Is
composed Of the most prominent of the
army and from the civil station. The entire
purpose of the authorities IL to pursue
such policy as will restore peace and quiet
to the disturbed country, and at the same
time commend itself to all countries as just
and humane. 1t is said that the Armenians
themselves have stood In the way OF the ex-
ecution OF the reforms under the Berlin
treaty,by bringing such turmoil on the coun-
try that any large measure OF administration
was made impossible.