The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-12-11
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
America a Refuge for Prosecuted
Armenians.

At the outset of a 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 conditions in Asiatic
Turkey had during the past year assumed
less hideouS and bloody aspect, and
that either as a consequence of the aWak-
ening of the Turkish government to the
demand of humane civilization 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 had been mitigated In
stead, however, of welcoming a softened
DISPOSITION or protective intervention, we
have been afflicted by continued and not
htsquent reports of the wanton de-
Sruction of homes and the bloody butch
cry of men, women and children; made
martyrs to their profession of Christian
faith
While none of our citizens in Turkey
have thus far been killed or wounded
though often in the midst of dreadful
scenes of danger, their safety in the
future Is by no means assured. Our gov
eminent at home and our minister at Con-
stantinople have left nothing undone to
protect our missionaries in Ottoman terri
tory, who constitute nearly all the indi-
vlduals residing there who have a right to
claim our protection on the score of
American citizenship.
Our efforts in this direction will not be
relaxed, but the deep feeling and sympathy
that have been raised 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
a hostile presence there as might be eff
1ectlVe for prevention or protection would
not only be resisted by the Ottoman gov
ernment but would be regarded as an
interruption of their plans by 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
Inc Mediterranean as measure of eau
ton and to furnish all possible relief and
refuge in case of emergency.
Claims Against Turkey.
We have made claims against the Turk
lsh government for the pillage and de-
struction Of missionary property at Harput
and Marash, during uprisings at these
places. Thus far, the validity of these
demands has not been admitted, though
our minister prior to such outrages, and
IN anticipation of danger, demanded
protection for the persons and property
OF our missionary citizens in the localities
mentioned. and Notwithstanding that
srong evidence exists of the actual COM
phclty of Turkish soldiers in the work of
destruction and robbery. The facts, as they
now appear, do not permit US to doubt
me justice of these claims, and nothing
VIII be omitted to bring about their prompt
settlement.
number of Armenian refugees having
srflved at our ports, and an order having
lately been obtained from the Turkish
government permitting the wives and
ehiiaren of such refugees to join them
mere. it is hoped that hereafter no OBJ
stacle will be interposed to prevent the
escape of all those who seek to avoid the
perlis which threaten them in Turkish do
mnons.
our recently appointed consul to Ere
! si Is at his post and discharging the
outles OF has office, though for some unac-
eouhtable reason his formal exequatur
rom the sultan has not been issued.
90 not believe that the present somber
prospect in Turkey will be long permitted
~ oHend the sight of Christendom. 1t so
mars the humane and enlightened civili-
1 HSuon that belongs to the close of the
. ..'n century, mat it seems hardly possible
. iat the earnest demand of good people
toughout the Christian world for its
sofrecuve treatment will remain unan-
swered