Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-09-24
GLADSTONE'S APPEAL
He Urges England to Act Regarding
the Armenian Massacres.
CONFIDENCE PLACED IN TIE MINISTRY
Diplomatic Relations With Turkey
Should Be Suspended.
NO FEAR OF A GREAT WAR

Copyright, 1885, by the Associated Fress)
LIVERPOOL, September 24-Enthusi-
astic crowds Of people assembled at an
| early hour this morning in the vicinity of
Hengl"r's circus, all anxious to push into
the building and hear the eagerly antici-
pated address which VIM. E. Gladstone had
announced he would make before the meet
ing called by the Reform Club to protest
against the recent massacres of Armenians
at Constantinople and elsewhere in Turkey.
The doors of the building were opened for
the admission of the audience at 10 O'clock
and at II the auditorium was packed.
Mr.. Gladstone, Mrs. Gladstone, Mr.. Her.
bert Gladstone and other members of the
| family arrived in this city at noon and
were welcomed at the railroad station by
a crowd of 2,OOO persons. who greeted the
veteran statesman with hearty cheers as
he and his family were recognized. At the
entrance of Hengler's circus Mr. Gladstone
was received by long and wildly enthu-
slastlc outburst of applause upon the part
or the crowds who were unable to obtain
abundance, and when the great liberal
leader entered the auditorium there was a
roar of applause, which could have been
heard mile away. The cheering was con-
tinued fer long time after Mr. Gladstone
stepped briskly on the platform at 12:SO
o'clock pm. and bowed gravely in ac-
acknowledgement of the enthusiastic welcome
accorded him.
Ihe Earl of Derby, who presided was ac-
companled by the Countess of Derby, and
upon the platform were many persons of
distinction in political, commercial and
social life.
After the usual formalities of opening
such meeting had been concluded the
first resolution, proposed by a conservative
ana secorded by a liberal, was put. 1t read ::
ihat this meeting desires to express its
ndlgnatton at and abhorrence of the cruel
treatment to which the Armenians are be-
iI.g subjected by their Turkish rulers, and
OF the massacres which have recently oc-
Cured al Constantnople, which are a dis
grace to the civilization of the nineteenth
century,
i. The resolution was adopted by acclama-
tiCn.
Confidence in the Ministry.
When Mr.. Gladstone rose to speak he
locked well and hearty for a man of his
years of hard work. He bowed repeatedly
in response to the outbursts of cheering
which greeted him. When he was able to
make himself heard, Mr.. Gladstone, after a
few preliminary remarks, moved the fol-
lowing resolution which was received with
tnuncers of applause. during which every
person present was upon his or her feet,
wildly waving hats, handkerchiefs, sticks or
umbrellas:
jestys ministers, realizing to the fullest ex-
tent the terrible condition in which their
fellOW-Christians are placed, will do every
thing possible to obtain for them full securi-
ty and protection; and this meeting assures
her majestys ministers that they may rely
upon the cordial support of the citizens of
Liverpool in whatever steps they may feel
1t necessary to take for that purpose
When the applause had been calrned
down by the outstretched hand of the aged
statesman Mr.. Gladstone declared his ad-
hesion to the principles contained in the
resolutions and said ne came there no:
claiming any authority except that Of a
citizen Of Liverpool. But, he added, the
national platform upon which the meeting
was based gave greater authority for senti-
ments universally entertained throughout
the length and breadth Of the land, and
urged that in this matter party sympathies
should he renounced.
Continuing. Mr.. Gladstone said: "I en-
tertain the lively hope and strong telief
that the present deplorable situation is
not due to the act or default of the gov
err ment of this great country" Cries of
1.-The present movement he added, ''is
based on the broad grounds of humanity,
and IS not directed against the Moham-
medans, but against the Turkish officials.
evidence of whose barbarities rests in cred
ible official reports.
But the speaker further said, "the
weakness of diplomacy, trust, is about to
be strengthened by the echo of this ma
tons voice" Great cheering)
Supineness of the Powers,
Mr.. Gladstone then alluded to the supine-
ness of the ambassadors of the powers at
Constantinople, and said:
THE concert of Europe is an august and
useful instrument. but it has not usually
succeeded in dealing with the eastern
question, which has arrived at a rcriod
when 1t Is necessary to strengthen the
hands of the government by an express
sion of national opsnion. l believe that the
continued presence of the ambassadors at
Constantinople has operated as q distinct
countenance to the sultan, who is thus
their recognized ally.
But while urging the government to
act it does not foIloSv that even fer the
sake of the great eosect in view Great
Britain should transplant Europe into a
state of war. On the other hand, however.
l deny that England must abandon her
own right to Independent judgment and
allow herself to be domineered by the
other powers" (Cheers.)
Recall the Ambasxador.
Mr.. Gladstone also said:
I'VE have a just title to threaten Turkey
with coercion, but that does not in itself
mean war, and 1 think that the first step
should be the recall of our ambassador
(Cheers.) And it should be followed by the
dismissal Of the Turkish ambassador from
London. Such course is frequent and
would not give the right of complaint to
anybody. When diplomatic relations are
suspended, England should inform the sui
tan that she would consider the means of
enforcing her just aud humane demands.
l do not believe that Europe will make war
to insure the continuance of massacres
more terrible than ever recorded in the
dismal, deplorable history of human crime,
cloud cheering)
Mr. Gladstone, who spoke for about
twenty minutes. was in good voice and did
not seem fatigued when he had finished.
Before the arrival of the Gladstone party
and the distinguished guests in the audi
tcrium of Henglers circus today, there was
a spontaneous outburst of patriotism every
body present standing bare-headed and
joining In singing God Save the Queen"
Copies of the resolutions adopted will be
forwarded to the cabinet ministers.
Notification of Thacher,
ALBANY, N. Y, September 24-Mayor