The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-12-08
"HIDEOUS AND BLOODY
severe Condemnation of Outrages in
Turkey-Americaus Protected

Turkey-Americaus Protected
AT the outset of reference to the more
important matters affecting our relations
with foreign powers it would afford me
satisfaction If 1 could assure the Congress
that the disturbed condition IN ASiatic
Turkey had during the past year assumed
less hideous and bloody aspect, and that
either as a consequence of the awakening
of the Turkish government to the demands
OF human civilization, or the result of
decisive action on the part of the great
nations having the right by treaty to in
terfere for the protection of those exposed
to the rage of mad bigotry and cruel ia
naticism. the shocking features of the situ-
alton had been mitigated. Instead, how
ever. of welcoming a softened disposition.
or protective intervention, have been
afnlcted by continued and not unfreQuent
reports of the wanton destruction of homes
and the bloody butchery OF men, women
and children, made martyrs to their pro-
fession of Christian faith.
While none of our citizens in Turkey has
thus far been killed or wounded. though
danger their safety in the future Is by no
means assured. Our government at home
and our minister at COnstantinople have
lett nothing undOne to protect our mission
nearly all the individuals residing there who
have right to claim our protection on the
Our efforts in this direction will not be
relaxed; but the deep feeling and sympathy
that have been aroused among our people
ought not to SO far blind their reason and
| judgment as to lead them to demand i'm
possible, things The outbreaks of blind
| fury which led to murder and pilIage in
Turkey occur suddenly and without notice.
and an attempt on our part to force such
a hostile presence there might be
effective for prevention or protection would
| not only be resisted by the Ottoman gov
ernment, but would be regarded as an in
terruption of their plans by the great ma
| tions who assert their exclusive right to in
| tervene in their own time and method for
| the security of life and property in Turkey
| Several naval vessels are stationed in the
Mediterranean as a measure of caution and
| to furnish all possible relief ard refuge in
case ef emergency.
We have made claims against the Turk
lsh government for the pilla&e and de-
struction of missionary properly at Har-
| poot and Marash during uprisings at those
| places. Thus far the validity of these de-
mands has not been admitted though our
minister, prior to such outrages and in an
ticipation of danger, demanded protection
sionary citizens in the localities mentioned
and Notwithstanding that strong evidence
exists 10 of actual dr somplieity Of Turkish sol
berry. The facts as they now appear do not
permit us to doubt the justice of these
| bring about their prompt settlement
A number OF Armenian refugees having
6bane a o1r be bn Trsh has lately
| ment permitting the wives and children of
such refugees to join them here. 1t is
hoped that hereafter no obstacle will be
interposed 10 prevent the escape of all
those who seek TO avoid the perils which
threaten them in Turkish dominions. Our
recently appointed consul 10 Erzerum rs at
his post and discharging the duties of his
office though for some unaccountable rea-
son his formal exequatur from the Sultan
has not been issued.
| do not believe that the present somber
prospect i'm Turkey will be lons permitted
to offend the sight of Christendo1n. Ii so
mars the human and enlightened civiliza-
ton that belongs TO the close of the
nineteenth century that il seems hardly
possible that the earnest demand of good
people throughout the Christian world for
It's corrective treatment will remain un-
answered.