The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-18

origin. 1t has not the distinction of
gender but Is rich in Its declensions and
coniugations. The accent of the Arme-
Man words is on the last syllable and
many of the strong consonantal sounds
strike the ear of a foreigner with harsh
ness and defy his tongue.
Pre- Christian Literature Lost.
The pre-Christian literature of the Ar
meujan, consisting of national songs, has
entirely persisted, except a few quotations
All that has come down to us is sub
sequent to the fourth century and refers
exclusively 10 history or religion Poetry
and fiction never greatly iiouished among
this serious race, always in the midst or
danger and suffering. The ancient Arme-
Man version of the Bible, made by Mes
reb the inventor of their alphabet, and
his disciples early in the fifth century,
has been called the queen of versions for
It's beauty The fifth century--their gol-
den age-was adorned by classic writer's
who wrote against the Persian fire wor-
shippers, the Greek philosophers, the
Marcian heresy and the Manichaeans: the
heroic struggles of Vartan for the Chris
tan faith against the Persian Zoroas-
TRANS. etc, etc.
Armenia proper is bounded on the north
by the Russian frontier-a line drawn
from the Black Sea to Mount Ararat--
by Persia on the east, the Mesopotaman
plains on the south, and by Asia Minor
on the west. 1t contains now about co.
900 Armenians which Is only one-fourth
the number In all Turkey. Such are the
Armenians who have suffered at the
hands of the Turks every conceivable
wrong and crime that Is possible for bru
ta.hty to conceive or for fiends in hui
man shape to commit. Time, space and
patience would fail to even catalogue
the hideous murders, massacres, tortures
and midnight robberies; the brutal out
rage and slaughter of helpless women and
innocent children that has been perpe-
trated upon this defenseless people by the
unspeakable Turk without regard to age
or condition, for centuries. The number
killed In the last 1nassacres thus far has
been estimated at 10000 by good author
ity. Not less than $4,000 wretched sur
viyors-mostly women and children-are
In danger of perishing BY starvation and
exposure. III these massacres, some were
skinned, some burned with kerosene,
some impaled upon bayonets set upon
the grounds. some had their flesh torn
with hot pincers Small children were
sometimes placed in row. like ten
pins. and shot at to see how many one
ball would kill. And men and women
were tortured in every conceivable way.
Her Condition Terrible.
The condition OF Armenia is indeed ter
rible. In utter despair of their plight,
they wish to leave their country and em-
grate to the, United States. But even
emigration is not allowed them. One
has got to try In vain-Tsometimes for
q whole year--and spend lot of money
in order to secure a passport. unbelley-
ably difficulties and higglinss on the
amount OF bribery to be paid, make emil
grafton almost Impossible. Even u sue
lcessful. the outgoing Armenian must be
ready to strew with gold all the way
to the seaport. II no ever be fortunate
enough to safely reach there, Is II to
be wondered at then that. like other
foreigners who come to this country,
tho Armenian arrives penniless. friend
less. ignorant of the Language and GUS
toms? But one great JOY scompensates
for all privatloris. Thee joy horn OF the
knowledge that heawlll he free: that there
IL freedom to believe and worship accord
Ing TO his conscience.fs
Each year secs an increase of their
number. They work hard, are Intelligent,
as well ms Industrious, ard when ia
milIar with the conditions surrounding
them quickly become good "a tisefls. hey
are good trndesmen In every line Of busi-
ness. The famous Oriental rpg business
was introduced into this country by an
Armenian. Some OF the best silk worn
by tho fair American women has been
woren by Artmenians, The fruit-growers
7 especially the giaps- growers OF cali
forrilhIowe much to the Arnlenlaps Who
trst settled there.
Armen,ans are not behlndhand In, mod