Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-02-06
THE ARMENIAN RESOLUTIONS.

IT nero mas been more debating in the
iiouso and Senate over the Armenian
rresolutlons than there was over the
venezuelan correspondence, but no more
Ieal taking OF counsel. Tho discussion
~ tne House yesterday had the aerial
CHARACTER which usually marks the
nery utterances Of young mems debat-
ing Clubs. Where else but in the pro-
ceedings Of such body would one find
II soIemnly resolved that sit was an
Imperative duty in the interests of
humanity to express an earnest hope"
tnat somebody else would behave
properly?
What other body would order the Sec
Tetary TO send this resolution TO six
nrst t-class powers an an encouragement
10 execute one of their own treaties to
whlcn we are no more party than tho
I: NJ. U. A.? We may imagine the
MARTY with which it will be received
IN the various European chancelleries,
ana the mock solemnity with which it's
receipt Will be acknowledged. We
doubt whether it is worth while TO
notice that the resolutions abandon
that part of the Monroe Doctrine which
denies our right Ito take part in the
wars OF European powers in matters re-
Olney's recent Interpretation of the
Doctrine. which shuts us out from
wars or preparations of wars with
whose causes or results we have no di-
rect concern" and which closes with
the remark:
. III all Europe were to suddenly fly
to arms over the fate of Turkey, would
ii not be preposterous that any Ameri-
Pa HnH tpa trt
cably involved in the miseries and bur.
dens of the contest? If it were, it
would prove to be a partnership in the
cost and losses of the struggle, but
not in any ensuing benefits. ~
In fact it would not be easy to make
up, by inference, more complete re-
pudiation of our doctrine of non inter
ference in European matters. as the
complement of the non interference Of
Europe in ours.
The new revised Doctrine now is
that we may interfere in European
affairs when we see the European
powers plainly neglecting their duty to
each other, or when in any part of
Europe tho hand of fanaticism and
lawless violence" seems to us too
strong, or when ''men and Christians
in any part of Europe seem to us to be
deprived of due legal protection. But
surely we ought not to refuse this sym
pathy to men and jews" and yet we
have never threatened Russia for ex-
polling the Jews under circumstances
of great cruelty. Lastly, how are we
to assert this right TO look after the
manner in which European powers dis
charge their domestic duties, without
granting them the right to pass reso-
lutions and address exhortations to us
about our negligences and failures
about our mob law, for instance, as
expressed in the unpublished murder.
of the Italians in the Jail in New
Orleans few years ago, in the massa-
ere of the Cinnamon in Wyoming. ig
the numerous, continued. and horrible
lynchings all over the country? Are,
we prepared to accept meehly resolu-
tions Of reprobation on these topics
from the British Parliament, and the
Reichstag, and the Russian Chan
celery, and the retort courteous from
the SultanY We doubt il greatly, and
yet the probability that We shall have
to put up with it on principles Of reci-
procity, was never mentioned in the
debate.
This vain talk was followed. as usual,
by stern resolve to "stand behind''
the President in "the most vigorous
action he may take for the protection
and security of American citizens' in
Turkey. What would or could "our
most vigorous action" be? The whole
OF our fleet nut together would not he
more than sufficient TO force its way
mn to Constantinople, if all the Powers
| agreed to stand aside and let il be
done Some of our ships would he sunk
in tho process The others would ar
rive in dilapidated condition. Both
banks of the Bosphorous would be in
possession Of the enemy, and that enemy
hostile and fanatical population,
which fights Christians with great
1erceness. Without a land force, where
would onr coal and supplies come from,
and how would the ships get back again
after the Turks had time to prepare for
their return? SUPPOSE the Sultan,
under threat of bombardment, wore to
agree to restore order in Armenia, how
would this benefit the Armenians.
They are hundreds of miles away from
Constantinople, and they are being
massacred by local Mussumans who
pay no attention TO the Sultan's orders.
The Sultan has already made to the
Powers all the promises which we could
| possibly extract from him by any action,
however vigorous, without helping
tho Armenians in the smallest degree.
Moreover there is no proof that we
have received any injury from the Sui
tan, except tho destruction of property,
and for this, according to all accounts,
no is willing to pay.
II we were talking to practical men
OF business, or serious diplomatists, and
not mere Jingoes, we should point out
that there are only two ways in which
We can do anything for the Armenians.
One is to threaten Russia with war il
she, the only Power which can act
promptly and effectively in the matter,
does not occupy Armenia and restore
order. The other is to offer to support
Great Britain in any measures she may
take to carry out the treaty of berlin.
She has undoubtedly been checked IN
her recent attempt to coerce the Sultan
by the fear that she might find herself
acting alone, or in the face Of a powerful
| opposition, for she is not a general
favorite, and France wants Egypt, and
Russia Constantinople. But such sun
port, to be really effective, would in.
volve the despatch to the Mediter-
ranean of powerful naval squadron,
and, say, 10000 men of a land force.
We have little doubt, speaking under
naval and military correction, that this,
with the troops which England could
assemble from England and India,
would carry eVerVthinp bpfnra IL in