Rocky Ford enterprise., 1896-12-10
Conditions In Turkey.

"At the outset In reference to the more
important matters affecting our relations
with foreign powers, 1t would afford me
satisfaction II I could assure the Con-
gress that the disturbed condition in
Asiatic Turkey had during the past year
assumed a less hideous and bloody as
pect and that either as consequence Of
the awakening of the Turkish govern
ment to the demand OF humane civiliZa-
ton or as the result of decisive action
on the part of the great nations having
the right by treaty to interfere for the
protection of those exposed to the rage of
mad bigotry and cruel fanaticism, the
shocking features of the situation at least
had been mitigated.
"Instead, however, Of welcoming soft
ened disposition or protective interven-
ton, we have been afflicted by continued
and not unfrequent reports of the wan
ton destruction of homes and the bloody
butchers of men, women and children,
made martyrs to their profession of
Christian faith. While none of our clti-
zens in Turkey have thus far been killed
or wounded, though often in the midst
of dreadful scenes of danger, safety in the
future Is by no means assured. Our gov
erpment at home and our minister at
Constantinople have left nothing undone
to protect our missionaries In Ottoman
territory, who constitute nearly all the In
dividuals residing there who have righ.
to claim our protection on the score OF
American citizenship.
"Our effo in this direction will not
be relaxed, but the deep feeling ana
sympathy that have been aroused
among our people ought not to so far
blind their reason and Judgment as to
lead them to demand Impossible
things. The outbreaks of blind fury
which lead to murder and pillage In
Turkey occur suddenly and without
notice, and an attempt on our part TO
force such n hostile presence there us
might be effective for prevention or
protection would not only be resisted
by the Ottoman government. but would
be regarded as an interruption OF their
plans by the great nations VINO assert
their decisive 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 to furnish all possible re-
lief and refuge in case Of emergency.
| We have made claims against the Turk
| ish government for the pillage and de-
struction of missionary property at
Harpoot and AIarash during uprisings
at these places. Thus far the validity
of these demands has not been admit
ted though our minister, prior to such
outrages and in anticipation of danger,
demanded protection for the persons
and property of our missionary citi-
zens in the localities mentioned, and,
Notwithstanding that strong evidence
exists of actual completely of Turkish
soldiers in the work of destruction ana
robbery, the facts as they now appear
do not permit us to doubt the Justice or
these claims and nothing Will be omit
ted to bring about their prompt settle
ment.
"A number of Armenian refugees
having arrived at our ports, and order
has lately been obtained from the
| Turkish government permitting the
wives and children of such refugees to
| ioin them here. 1t is hoped that here
after no obstacle will be interposed to
prevent the escape of all those who
seek to avoid the perils which threaten
| them in Turkish dominions.
"Our recently appointed consul to
Erzeruom is at his post and discharg-
| ing the duties of office, though for
| some unaccountable reason his formal
exeuuator from the sultan mas not
| been issued. l don't believe the SOM
her present prospect in Turkey VIII be
long permitted to offend the sight OF
| Christendcm. 1t so mars the humane
and enlightened civilization that pe-
longs to the close of the nineteenth
century that 1t seems hardly possible