The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-02-24
SUFFERING ARNENIANS.
Indifference of Turkish officials as
to the Victims Fate.
WORK OF TURKEYS COMMISSIONS.

WORK OF TURKEYS COMMISSIONS.
No Attempt to Punish Offenders and No
suggestions for the Betterment of Con-
ditions-Tbe Need of Immediate Relief
Becomes More Painfully Evident.
CoNsTANTINoPLE, Feb. 24--It will be
remembered chat the sublime porte, soon
after the massacres in this country, sent
out commissioners to investigate into the
recent disturbances and take measures for
quieting the country One group of com
missioners went to Erzeroum and the other
entered the country at Sassoun and came
to Sivas. This commission from the in
terror did its work very rapidly, spending
only few days in each of the principal
cities on their route.
The day after their arrival they sum-
moned before them number of leading
men, Moslems and Christians. These were
admitted to the presence of the commits
sioners separately. first the Moslems, after
wards the Christians. Report says that
the commissioners said to the Moslems
"We did not expect so much of you, but
now that you have done it, never mind.
Henceforth you must keep the peace
When the Christians were admitted the
commissioners received them standing
and at once began to read an address re-
citing the benefits the Christians had re
ceived during the reign of the beneficent
sultan, Abdul Khan, and the periidious
conduct of the Armenians who had started
newspapers and sent men to Washington
and Chicago to agitate and stir up the ma
tions against their government. In con-
clusion the address said:
Hereafter, if either Turks or Armenians
stir up trouble there will be no more im-
prisonments, But the death penalty will
be visited upon OFFENDERS
After the reading of the address Abdul
lah Pasha began to address the Christians
in much more violent strain. He said
if the Armenans should again begin TO
agitate not even the name of Armenian
would be allowed to remain; they would
all be blotted out. Drawing himself up
to his full height and stretching out his
arm like a sword, he said: What we
have gained we have gained with blood,
and when we give up this morsel we will
give it up with blood"
In the Harpoot vilayet the commissions
ers spent all their time in Mezreh, and did
not even visit the city of HarpOot, which
was plundered and burned, although it Is
only two miles from Mezreh. No ques'
tions were asked of the Christians sum
moned before them. When the commits
sioners had finished their speeches they
dismissed them.
Another fact of interest is the sending
out of officials TO enroll in the government
lists the names of Christians who have be
come Moslems Multitudes have beer
forcibly converted to Islam, having beer
bound or held while. the rite of circum
cision was performed without their con
sent.
The government has said that these con
versions were worth nothing, and that NJ
one would be forced to change his religion
but now government officials write these
new converts, while the Turks drive then
to say they are Moslems.
The carrying off of Christian girls ant
women, too, still continues In the city
of Palu Turks carry off girls, keep then
for few days and return them dishon
ored The same is done in many othel
places. In one of the Arabkir village;
eight girls of the place are imprisoned in
Turkish harems. Their friends hear theil
cries, but can do nothing to help them.
; The destitution of the Armenians beg
. gars description. Men who were wealth!
in October were begging for bread in No
) vember. Villages were pillaged of ever!
, scrap of food and clothing. When tn
= plundorers could find nothing more t.
! carry off the villagers returned and siftet
D the dust to gather few kernels of whea
. or barley. Doors and windows were car
ried off. In many cases the timbers of tn
. houses were pulled out and oayried of
. Everything of value which could not
Z carried away was broken. The utmos
3 pains were taken to leave behind nothin
, of value to the owners
And all this was done at time whe
! winter was 80 close at hand as to make
. reasonably sure that cold and hunge
2 would destroy those whom the sword ha
! spared. Wherever you go you meet war
. pinched faces and people clad in scant
2 garments. And you know that multitude
!. spend the long, cold nights huddled tC
q gether, with nothing to lie down upon an
p nothing to cover them. OF course diseas
: sets in and carries them off.
:. 1t is estimated that there are betwee
? $4,000 and 100000 people in extreme dest
4 tuition. Europe and America are touche
= with compassion and funds are beln
. gathered for the relief of the sufferers i
2 every town and city. 1t is far otherwil
: with the Turk. He views his work wit
; oomplacency and does not like to see it il
= terferod With The government. has give
little aid occasionally In many cas-,
the allowance is one-sixth as much as
given to a Turkish gendarme or soldie
The bread given resembles the linseed oaI
q used in Europe and America for feedin
cattle. Even this allowance is seldom ooI
tinued for any length of time
A large share of the governments al
propriations for the relief of the destitut
goes into the pockets of officials. More