The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-10-08
COMMUNICATIONS

To the Editor of The Spy
The American people are again stir
red UP by the captivity of Miss Stone
by brigands on the Turkish frontier,
Press and pulpit are alike urging the
contribution of the necessary funds to
secure her release.
1t is the duty of every American to
help obtain her liberty.
Such affairs as these are not uncom-
mon in Oriental countries, especially in
Turkey. Turkish and Kurdish bandits
are continually committing the same
outrages on Christians and Christian
communities.
A few years ago the Turkish govern
ment encouraged bowling mobs to
massacre the poor Christians, to pill
lage their property, to demolish their
dwellings, and to destroy American in
stitutions. There was a universal out
cry against these outrages. All civil
lied nations condemned the Turkish
I government and protested against its
cruelty. But this Indignation and con-
domination died away without much
being done to secure a better condition
of things.
Now the Turks and the Turkish gov
eminent are taking a different way to
carry out their purposes. They COM
NIT no more general massacres but kill
individuals. They murder one here, an
other there; one on journey, another
| in his bed.
| Again the Sassaan district is in
gloom The Turks kill all the males
1 in a village and carry off the wives
and daughters. Can anything be more
horrible and inhuman than this? And
these poor Christians cannot give ran
som for their mothers, wives and
! daughters.
These brigands do not demand
ransom. They want to annihilate the
Armenians. Who is in a position to
protest against these atrocities? Who
can cry halt! to these Turks and
Kurds?
All America fs pouring out sympathy,
mingled with feelings Of hate and re-
venge, at the capture of Miss Stone.
But where is the sympathy for these
people who perish for their faith or
are Compelled to accept Moham-
mechanism?
I Is it not time to act differently with
the Turkish government? A vital ques-
ton confronts the American people at
! this time. What will be done? To my
mind it is very doubtful that these
brigands will kill Miss Stone in case
they should not receive the amount
they demand. 1t will establish a very
/ bad precedent If the money is paid. If
these brlgands are successful in their
attempt to eXtort ransom it cannot
! help but become known in the interior
part Of the country where it is COM
paratively easy to abduct missionaries.
Force and spirit are needed more than
money. Millions for defense but not
one cent for tribute" should be re-
adopted as a motto of the American
people.
/ The only way to deal with Turkey in
such matters is to let the Sultan and
his subjects know that American citi-
zens are to be safe on any part of the
surface of the globe and that no one
is to be allowed to harm them with
IimDunity.
The thunderings of the cannons from
our great battleships is the only way to
impress the Sultan.
Owing to international law it will be
difficult to show our intentions in this
way, but I am sure it would be well
coined by every individual who has at
heart the interests of Christianity or
even of humanity.
Whatever may be the outcome of this
incident it is the duty of America to
proclaim that her subjects must be
protected.
A. K. YOOSUF. NJ. D.
Worcester, Oct. z. 1901.