The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-26
MISS BARToN,s MISSION.

mainly of free Christendom to rise in
wrath over the refusal of the Turkish
government to permit the Red Cross So
ciety to distribute relief to the Armenian
sufferers. The consent granted to menu
bers Of the society as individuals to go
into the interior on this mission is con-
cession hardly to have been expected
under the circumstances. Miss Barton,
as an individual and an American citi-
zen, however, naturally stood a better
chance OF obtaining such privilege
than as a representative of the society.
In the latter capacity her safety could
not be assured, whatever may be the
ability to protect her in this case. While
the trouble in Armenia Is more in the
nature of rebellion against the Turkish
government than a religious war-a
statement supported by the fact that the
millions Of members of the Greek
Church in Turkey are unmolested-it is
true that the minds of the Turks are in
an infiamed condition. and the slightest
cause may rouse them to an outbreak
of violence against persons whom they
regard as friends or allies of the hated
Armenians. The Turks are fanatical re-
ligionists. Mohammed is their prophet,
and their contempt for Christians, how
ever they may disguise it on occasion,
is as genuine as 1t is unreasoning. The
symbol of Christianity is cross. The
badge of the Red Cross Society is a
cross, a conspicuous red cross, worn not
only upon the garments of the members,
but placed upon their wagons, their bag
gage and all their Official belongings.
This emblem Haunted before the eyes Of
the ignorant fanatics would have the
effect of a red rag shaken in the face
the Sultan to protect such a delegation,
and he is wise not to attempt Ii. Miss
Barton and her party will assume many
risks in undertaking the distribution of
relief on their own account, but fewer
than If she were to go in official capac-
ity. The ways OF the Turk are cruel and
savage; he is far from the heights and
ent stage Of development, but there is
reason to think that his side of the Ar
menian trouble has not all been told, and
that from mis- standpoint he feels him.
self justified in his course.
When outside relief for the suffering
Armenians was first suggested it was
announced that it would be contrary to
to admit any foreigner to distribute
among it's subjects relief which had been
contributed by enemies of that govern
ment and religion. Later it was stated
that while Miss Barton would not be
permitted to go to Armenia as a rep
resentative of the Red Cross associa-
ton. she might go in her individual ca
to her entering the country does not by
any means make Miss Barton's mission
an easy one. On the contrary. 1t will
be one of great difficulty and some dan
ger. Turkish Armenia-by the way,
Armenia" is a name prohibited in Tur-
key. the country being designated as
Kurdistan-embraces an area about as
large as the State of Iowa, and its west
ernmost part is five hundred miles east
Of Constantinople. The locality of most
of the massacres is nearly eight hundred
miles east of Constantinople. There is a
railroad from Constantinople to Angora,
two hundred miles east-by the way,
there are only nine hundred miles of
railroad in Turkey-and the rest of the
distance to Armenia must be made with
horses or mules. The roads are, in Most
cases. bride paths, impossible for We
hicles, without bridges, infested with
highwaymen, and unprovi6ed with lodg-
ing places. To travel safely one must
hire an armed escort, and carry tents,
food supplies, cooking utensils, bedding,
etc. Travel through this portion of Tur-
key is difficult and dangerous at any
season of the year, but in midwinter the
difficulties are greatly increased. and in
the present condition of affairs as one
approaches the borders of Armenia dan
gers must multiply. In southern Arme-
MIA, whittier Miss Barton's mission will
ulation are Kurds. These people, whose
natural instincts lead them to a pasto-
raj and predatory life, live, when they
are not moving, in mountain villages
They are sedentary or nomad. as tho
fancy takes them. Naturally brave and
hcspitable, they originally possessed GER
tain rude but strict feelings of honor
but Turkish conquest and Turkish ex-
ample have converted them into wild
and lawless brigands. proud, treacher.
Gus, cruel and bloodthirsty. They are the
fellows who have been slaughtering the
Armenians. To kill Christians is. with
them, a labor of love as we'll as religion
When Miss Barton reaches the borders
OF Armenia she will be apt to encoun
ter rowing bands of these Oriental saw
ages, and it is impossible to surmist
what they may do. Neither her mission
her nationality, her passport, her Sc,
or her age would save her from violenc,
| at their hands unless she has a strong
| armed escort. No woman ever under
took more difficult journey from a no
bier motive. and whatever may b.
thought of its wisdom, all must wisl
she NAV succeed.
POTENTIAL INFLUENCES FOR
A