The McCook tribune., 1896-12-18
TURKEY.

At the outset of reference to the more
important matters affecting our relations
with foreign powers ii would afford me sat
isfaCtion If / 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 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 of mere bigotry
and cruel fanaticism, the shocking features
of the situation had been mitigated.
Instead. however of welcoming a softe1ed
disposition or protective Intervention, we
have been afflicted by continued and not un-
frequent reports of the wanton destruction
of home and the bloody butchery OF men,
women and children. made martyrs to their
profession of Christian faith While none
of our citizens in Turkey have thus far beer
killed or wounded though often in the midst
of dreadful scenes of danger. their safety in
the future is by no means assured. Our
government II home and our minister at
'ConStautinople have left nothing .undone to
protect our missionaries in Ottoman terri
tory who constitute nearly all the indiyid-
uals residing there who have right to
claim our protection on the score of Amer
tcan citizenship
GER efforts IN THIS Gl1eCIlOl VIII not De re-
Taxed, 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 impos
sible things. The outbreaks of blind fury
which led to murder and pillage in Turkey
occur suddenly and without notice, and an
attempt on our part to force such hostile
presence there as might be effective for pre-
.yeution or protection would not only be re-
sisted by the Ottoman government, but
would be regarded as an interruption of
their plans to the great nations 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 measure of caution and
70 furnish all possible relief and refuge in
case of emergency. We have claims against
the Turkish government for the pillage and
destruction of missionary property at Har-
7col and Marash during upriSIngs at these
places Thus far the validity of these de-
mands has not been admitted through our
minister Prior to such outrages and in an
yticipation of danger We demanded protection
for the persons and property of our mission
.ary citizens in the localities mentioned.
and Notwithstanding that evidence exists OF
actual complicity OF Turkish soldiers in the
work of destruction and 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 set
tlement. A number Of Armenian refugees
having arrived at our ports, an order has
lately been obtained from the Turkish gov
-srrunent permitting the wives and children
of such refugees to join them here. It is
hoped that hereafter no obstacle Will be in
terposed to prevent the escape OF all those
who seek TO avoid the perils which threaten
them in Turkish dominions.
Our recently appointed consulto Erzeroum
IS at his post and discharging the duties of
his ofice. though for some unaccountable
reason his formal exequator from the Sultan
has not been issued, I do not believe that the
present somber prospect in Turkey will be
long permitted TO offend the sight of Christ
eudoIn 1t so mars the human and enlight-
cned civilization that belongs to the close Of
the nineteenth century that it seems hardly
.1ossible that the earnest demand OF good
Y,eonle throughout the Christian world for
its corrective treatment will remain uH-
answered
CUBA.
The insurrection in Cuba still continues,
with all its perpledties. II is difficult to
perceive that any progress has thus far been
made toward the pacification of the island
or that the situation of affairs as depicted in
NV last annual message has in the least i'm
provea IF Spain still holds Havana and the