The record-union., 1896-01-25

WASt1lINAJIONs
current resolution reported last Wednes-
day from the Committee on Foreign Re-
lations on the subject of the Armenian
eutrages was taken up in the Senate
to-day, and was passed after a highly
interesting discussion. Cullom (Rep)
OF Illinois, who had reported it, opened
the debate, and described the occur
rences in Turkey as a massacre of in
nocents, unparalleled for ages"
Mr.. Cullom said that he was amazed,
astonished and appalled, at the brief
accounts which he had had Of the awful
carnival of havoc, destruction and
blcodshed which prevailed for a time in
q country with which the United States
maintained amicable relations. The
concurrent and accumulated testimony
of hundreds and thousands of intelli-
gent people, Christian and Jew, Catho-
lie and Protestant, European and Amer
lean, made it absolutely certain that a
massacre of innocents had been perpe-
trated in the Armenian provinces of
Turkey, fire and sword had swept away
over many square miles of territory the
last vestige of Armenian human life.
And over 200 villages the demon, of
damnation and fanaticism had spread
ruin, desolation and death. The Eng
1ish Government had direct obligation
resting on it to protect the Armenians,
and yet nothing had been done by it, nor
by any of the other Powers looking to
the enforcement of their treaty obliga-
tions beyond mere diplomatic corre
spondence between them and the Sui
tan It had, therefore, seemed to the
Committee on Foreign Relations that
It could do nothing less than appeal to
the Powers to carry out their pledges as
it did in the concurrent resolution. AS
to the right of the United States to pro-
tect its citizens everywhere, no odds
were asked from any nation on earth.
Cullom quoted from speech of Dan
iel Webster these words: There is
among men more capable of shaking
despotic power than the lightning, the
whirIwind, the earthquakes, and that is
the excited and aroused indignation of
the whole civilized world. And he
added that he knew of nothing which
had happened in the world for centuries
that more called for interference than
these slaughters of Armenian Chris
tians
Blanchard Dem) of Louisiana
thought that the resolution did not go
far enough. and intimated that the
Committee on Foreign Relations had
been slow in it's report
The committee was defended by Frye
(Rep) of Maine, who made fiery
speech against the Sultan and against
the European Governments which had
not interfered to protect the Armenians.
He said if he had his way the Ameri-
can Congress would memorable Rus
STA to take possession of the Armenian
provinces, and would inform her that
the United States would stand behind
her in doing so. And he declared that
if it were necessary to protect Ameri-
can citizens and their property in Tur-
key, he would order United States ships
of war. in spite of forts and in spite Of
agreements as to the closing of the Dar-
danelles, to- place themselves before
Constantinople, and to give that pro-
lection to which American citizens are
entitled.
The concurrent resolution was passed
without a division, and now goes to the
House. 1t expresses the earnest hope
that European concert may speedily be
given its just effect in such decisive
measures as shall stay the hand of
fanaticism and lawless violence, and
secure the rights of the unoffending
Christians of the Turkish Empire.
An effort was made by Jones (Dem.)
of Arkansas to have a time fixed for
taking the vote on the House bond bill
with the free coinage substitute, but as
objection was made by Allen (Pop.) Of
Nebraska Jones gave notice that he
would ask the Senate next Thursday to
remain in session till that matter is
disposed of.
When the Senate met to-day a bill
authorizing change in the plans of the
public building at Bloomington, ILL.,,
gave rise to a brief but lively discussion,
in which Allen (Pop.l OF Nebraska sug-
eested that there was a little Senatorial
s.ring''on the question of public build
ing. The State of Illinois had $1,000, 600
appropriated for a public building in
Chicago.
"Only four million" Cullom put in.
ssWell. it will be eight million before
we get through with it, said Allen.
..rFhe Senator has no right to make
that statement" said Cullom tartly.
Allen. went on to complain that the
Eastern and Middle States had been fa-
vored in the matter of public buildings
while the Transmississippi States lex
cept in one or two instances) had been
unable to get even small appropriations
for the purpose.
Gallinger (Rep.) of New Hampshire
took exception to Aliens remarks, and
suggested that the Senator from Ne
braska was very apt 20 indulge in ex-
travagant assertions
Il desire to return thanks to the Sena-
tor from New Hampshire" said Allen,
in severe tones, for his kindly state
rnent that I am in the habit of being a
little bit extravagant in my language.
I had no idea that the Senator from
New Hampshire was any considerable
portion of the East; nor do I have an
opinion of that kind at this time
After some colloquy Allen withdrew
his objection to Cullom's bill. and it was
passed.
Mills Dem) of Texas was about to
call up his bill introduced yesterday to
repeal the Refunding and Resumption
Acts. but as he saw that Hansbrough
! Rep1 of North Dakota desired to adj
dress the Senate, he said that he would
not do so until the next meeting of the
Senate.
caffrey Dem.) of Louisiana had the
Presidents communication as to the
non-payment Of the sugar bounties
transferred from the Finance Commit