The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1897-01-02
TURKEY on TOAST.
The Massacre of Armenians In De
mOMmceal in no Incertnln Termn.

nOunceai in no uncertnin Terms.
In obedience to a constitutional require
mcnt | hereby submit to the congress GER
tain information concerning national affairs
with the suggestion Of such Legislation as
in my Judgment is necessary and eXpedient.
TO secure brevity and avoid tircsome nara
tion | shall omit many details concerning
matters within federal control Which by
no means unimpOrtant are more prOfitably
discussed in department reports. / shall
also further curtail this communication by
emitting Il minute recital of many minor
incidents connected with our foreign rcla-
tons which have heretofore found place
in executive messages but are not contained
in Il report Of the treasury of state which
is herewith submitted
At the outset of a reference to the more
important matters not effectilg our relations
with foreign powers, it would afford me
satisfaction If l could assure the congress
that the disturbed condition in ASiatc
Turkey had during the past year assumed
{; less hidcous and bloody aspect and that
either as a consequences of the awakening
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 inter-
fere for the prot lection OF those exposed to
the rage OF mad bigotry and cruel fanati-
cisln. the shocking features Of the situation
had been mitigated Instead. however. Of
welcoming softened disposition or pro-
tective intervention, we haze been ar
fiicted by continued and not infreQuent re-
ports Of the wanton destruction OF homes
and the bloody butchery of men, women
and children. made martyrs to their pro-
fession 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 government ut
home and our minister Mt COnstantinOple
have left nothing undone to protect our
missionaries in Ottoman territory. who con-
stitute nearly all the individuals residing
there who have a right to claim our pro-
lection IN the score Of American citizen
ship
Our efforts in this direction will not be
relaxed. but the deep feeling and sympathy
that have been aroused among our people
ought not to so far blind their reason and
Judgment as to lead them to demand i'm
possible things. The outbreak 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
fective for prevention of protection would
not only be resisted by the Ottoman gov
eminent hut would be regarded as an in
tcrruption Of their plans by the great 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 IA a measure OF caution and
to furnish all possible relief and refuge III
case of emergency. We have made claims
against the Turkish government for the
pillage and destruction of missionary prop
crty at Harpoot and Marash during up
risings at those places. Thus far the valid
ity of these demands has not been adj
oI mini
RACES and in anticipation of danger, de-
manded protection for the persons and
property Of our missionary citizens in the
localities mentioned. and Notwithstanding
that strong evidence exists of actual COM
plicity OF Turkish troops in the work Of
now appear do not permit to doubt the
justice Of these claims and nothing will be
omitted to bring about their prompt set
Element.
A number of Armenian refugees having
arrived at our ports. an order has lately
been obtained from the Turkish government
permitting the wives and children of such
refugees to join them here. 1t is hoped that
hereafter no obstacle will be inte.p.sed to
prevent the escape of all those who seek to
avoid the perils which threaten them In
Turkish territory.
Our recently appointed consul to Erzer-
oum is ut his post and dischargins the
duties Of his office. though for some I'M
accountable reason his formal execuateur
from the sultan has not been issued.
do not believe that the present sombre
prospect In Turkey will he long permitted
to offend the sight Of christendom. 1t so
mars the humane and enlightened civiiza-
ton that belongs 10 the close Of the nine
teenth century that 1t seems hardly possible
that the earnest demand Of good people
throughout the Christian world for its cor
receive treatment will remain unanswered