Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1896-12-19
Armenian Troubles.

Armenian Troubles.
At the outset Of a reference to the
more important matters affecting our
relations with foreign powers, 1t would
afford me satisfaction If / could assure
the congress that the disturbed condl-
tion In Asiatic Turkey had. during the
past year. assumed "A less hldeous and
bloody aspect and that either as a con-
sequence OF the awakening Of the Turk
ish government to the demand OF hui
name civilization or as the result Of n
decisive action on the part of the great
nations having the right by treaty to
interfere for the protection OF those ex-
posed to the rage of mad blgotry and
cruel fanaticism, the shocking features
of the situation had been mitigated.
Instead, however, OF welcoming a soft
ened disposition or protective interven-
ton, we have been afflicted by con-
tinued and not unfrcquent reports or
the wanton destruction of homes and
the bloody butchery OF men, women
and children. madem martyrs to their pro-
fesslon Of Christian faith. While none
Of our citizens I'm Turkey have thus far
been killed or wounded, though often In
the mlds OF Dreadful scenes of danger,
their safety I'm the future Is by no mean
assured. our government at home and
our minister at C~onstantinople have left
nothing undone to protect our mission
aries In Ottoman territory. who constl-
tute nearly all the individuals residing
there who ave a right to claim our pro-
lection on the score of American citizen
ship.
'Our efforts In this direction will not
be relaxed, but the deep feeling and
IIN 49,. 1aAV. .AAa.p
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 at
tempt on our part to force such a hos
tile presence there as might be effective
for prevention or protection would not
only be resisted by the ottoman gov
eminent, but would be regarded as an
interruption Of their plans by the ma
tons 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 the Mediterranean as a measure OF
and to furnish all possible re-
lltI anu TtIubt III tdSt Va iI 6CiiNys
We have made claims against the Turk
ish government for the pillage and de-
of missionary property at
Harpoot and Marash during u%prisings
at these places.
Thus far the validity Of these de-
mands has not been admitted, though
our minister, prior to such o~utrages,
and in anticipation of danger. demand
- RAu H. 80, AaI - A. J
erty Of our missionary citizens In the
localities mentioned, and, notwithstand-
Ing that strong evidence exists of ac-
tual completely OF Turkish soldiers In
the work of destruction and robbery.
The facts as they now appear do not
permit us to doubt the justice of these
claims, and nothing should be omitted
to bring about their prompt settlement.
A number OF Armenian refugees W.
ing arrived at our ports. an order has
lately been obtained from the Turkish
government permitting the wives n
children of such refugees to join them
here. 1t Is hoped that hereafter no OBJ
stacle would be interposed 10 prevent
the escape of all those who seek to
avoid the perils which threaten them
In Turkish dominions.
Our recently appointed consul to
Erzorum Is at his post and discharging
the duties Of his office, though for some
u~naccountable reason his formal exc
Iuator from the sultan has not been is
sued. / do not believe that present SOM
Der facts In Turkey will long be per-
mitted to offend the sight of Chrlsten-
dom. 1t so mars the human and en-
lightened civilization that belongs to
the close OF the nineteenth century that
p seems hardly possible hat the earn
est demand of good people throughout
this Christian world for It's corrective
treatment will remain unanswered.
The War In Cuba
The insurrection in Cuha still contin-
ues with all Its perplexities. 1t is diff
cult to perceive that any progress has
thus far been made towards the pacifi-
cation of the island or that the situation
of affairs as depicted in my last annual
message has in the least improved. III
Spain still holds Havana n the sea
ports and all the considerable towns, |
the insurgents still roam at will yer
at least two-thirds OF the island in u
try IL the determination of Spain to
put down the insurrection seems to |
strengthen with the lapse of time. and
is evinced by her unhesitat.ng devotion
of largely increased military and naval
forces to the task, there is much reason
to believe that the insurgents have
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