The sun., 1898-02-14
TALKED WITH THE CzAR.
BISHOP skTTERLEE TELLS or HIs
MISSION TO RUSSIA.

ue Describes 10 an AsssuaSisEs er Arnsniaus
the Appeal ne MADE te Russia's puior -
Fat an End TO the Massacre ara Pers
necution er Their Feiiew Ceuntryuen.
Bishop Henry Y. satterleo Of Washington, Al
tho Armenian services held In the Calvary
Chapel on East Twenty.third street yesterday,
related his experience at St. Petersburg in the
summer Of 1896, when he appealed to the Gar
of Russia In behalf Of the perseouted Arneni-
ans. Bishop Satterlee. before his elevation to
the Sec Of Washington two years ago, was the
pastor of Calvary Church, on Fourth avenue
and Twenty. .hrst street. Tho chapel was filled
yesterday with Armenian men and women Rnx-
ious to hear the Bishops narration OF his mis-
sion in behalf OF their follow countrvmen. The
Rev. s. II. HagopiaD. who offlciated at the scr.
vices, interpreted tho address.
Shortly after the massacre at Sassoun," said
the Bishop, Eve in Calvary Church had o mar
tyrs' meeting to express our sympathy for the
prosecuted Armenians. Another meeting was
held after that, and the people were very earn.
est and decided to take somo action in the mat.
ter. The mother church in England was asked
to help in the cause Of tho Armenians. and In
summer Of 1896 tho English Church started
petition to the Emperor OF Russia, asking him
to aid Armenia. There were over 10000. 900
names secured TO that petition in this country
to Russia in July, 1895.
AT st. Petersburg found It exceedingly
difflcult to get an audience with tho Emperor.
Tue Minister of Foreign Affairs did not want
me to SEQ the Emperor, but I met a number of
the intimate friends Of the Gear and related to
them my experience. They said they would tell
him all about my mission, that would be
able to secure an audience. reached st. Peters
burg the first week in July, and in the FIRST
week in Aurust had an audience with tho
Emperor. Tic cent his carriage to take mo to
the palace; 1t was not the large palace, but to
the small ono, as my interview was to bo .
private ono.
"Wben 1 entered the room the Gar and
Czarna received me very courteously. He was
very much interested in what I had 70 say and
listened attentircly, and was so kind In his
manner that felt that was conversing with
communicant OF my Church. He could not give
me any assurances that he would be able to
grant tho prayer in the petition and protect the
Armenians from mass. ere and persecution,
put the petition in his hands. and asked in the
namo OF Christianity that he use the great
Goo had ye to Sm fsEe hs
about half nm hour. Two days later l had
an audience with the Dowager Czarlna;;
neyed in the, name of Christ in behalf Of His
West had heard OF the massacre Of Sassoun we
felt that the prosecutions OF the Church OF the
these Christians in Asia were our brothers. and
We should not he content to go on enjoying our
Gs nd bh"py e tonE Of nn
the only way OF giving this assistance that we
knew OF was by asking, the Gar Of Russia. the
poor bleeding Armenia. The Dowager Empress
wanted to know what she could do.
"'Your Majesty. said. this question is not
one OF politics but is connected with the life Of
common Christinnty, and II Enropean nations
would Hsrec they could 81 ecdily put an end TO
thia m asspcrnR and DCrSetutiOn
"' All, yes; q they only would agree. then all
THAT seems TO bc the difficulty in the way OF
projecting Armenia from her enemy
Bishop S,tterlcc said that when he was about
were held in one of the churches. and all the
other WISHING c,.rgymen attended. When he
crowd OF people gathered to hid him good.hy:
They hal n church choir to sing, and manifested
he stretched out his hands and gave them his
This demonstration simply showed the hos.
pitable and friendly spirit Of the Russian people
for Americans. and convinced me that their
sympnthy was with the poor Armenian" ~
stone sen. for him and they discussed the mat.
ter of the mission to st. Petersburg.
rived 1T this port from Europe on the steamer
. OLDHAM a year ago and who were detained &C FL
s ass Msrn aI" to be- epored penpers
Bishop said that he received despatch at that
time from Russian prince at st. Petersburg
stating that the refugees would not become
charges on the Government Of this country and
that the Russian Government would assume mo
responsibility for them. the Bishop showed
this despatch to President Cleveland and the
Armenians were permitted to land.
Are there any OF those refugees In this con-
gregation r. the Bishop asked through an inter-
prefer
Six men stood up in various, parts OF tho
church, and all declared that they had pros
pered in life since their arrival.
The Bishop said he was glad to hear II. and, In
speaking or ArmC MIA declared that the pe:se-
cution OF her people worse than anything
in the history Of the Church. not overlooking
the cruelties practIced under Diocletian in tho
third century.
.I cannot understand how God allows this to
, be-" he said. "but He will doubtless bring good
out OF It, A great blessing for the world will
come ont of Armenia. All you and can do 10
to pray God to speed the day"