New-York tribune., 1907-07-29
LAYS CRIMES TO PRIEST
HEAD or HUNCH4KISTS.
archbishop Beiieres Martoogessian
Leader Of BLackmailerS.

a good many ATmenldnS IN ILlS country,
said the archbishop. believe Martoogessian and
Arzooian are the real heads Of this murderous
Matchmaking band operating under the name of
Huntchagist. believe SO. too.
Shortly after the murder Of Ounjian in Con-
stantinople several Of our prominent Armenians,
including Tavshanjian, Gubekian Karaguesian,
KazaRjan Costikjan and others. told me they
had received threatening htters from CONSTANT
nople demanding money; that soon after the
receipt of these Father Martoogessian had called
and informed them national treasurer Of the
Huntchakists he authorized to receive the
contributions. Then he referred 10 Ounjan's
murder ana told them if they did not pay death
would follow.
Naturally / was shocked, and had the priest
call on me- He denied the allegations, but did
admit calling on the gentlemen I have named
and advising them TO pay the sums demanded
and avoid trouble.
AT that time I told the priest as a man OF
God II was not beftttng his position in life TO
act as treasurer of the society and asked MIN
10 resign, which he promised 10 do
When heard Of the recent blackmailing let
ters Chose received in March 1900, took him
TO task once more. but he denied having hand
in the sending Of them. This was natural for
him 10 do. suppose, but the author will be
brought forth This government Of yours Is
very powerful, and II will throw light on the
mystery The last time I had a talk with
Father MartoogessiQn he told me he mad re-
signed from the society but l do not believe 1t
When asked if Father Martoogessian was sun
2 priest IN the Church the archbishop repleo:
He has not been accommodated, but ne mas
been deprived Of his Office, and his church hau
no representation at the last convention ms
successor will be appointed by Archbishop Eznik
Abahooni, who will arrive in this country snort
" 10 relieve me of my duties
At the close of his sermon to his congregation
IN West FIobolzen Yesterday the archbishop an
-ounced a special memorial service for ID >.
ravshanjian, at which he Will preach sermon
on Armenian National Questions of the Day.
Referring tc the murdered man, he said we
have lost a prominent Armenian CHRISTIAN
man who was a liberal contributor To this ana
other churches and 10 our charities IN genera
We have been silent for a long time on the
affairs OF our nation. and have been inactive;
let US get together next Sunday and discuss the
question in harmony and see what we can oe-
wise TO help our people at home
In explanation of these remarks member OF
the church said that several years ago the
Bishop had been active in advocating certain
national reforms. but recently had not sald
much on the subject. What he sald was 'aAei
70 mean that the Archbishop wanted right
,oi,5a5 Ar,nenians 10 take control OF affairs in
the various societies.
Father Martoogessian was found IN a collees
house in East 9th street. When the reporter
approached the priest a dozen Armenlans
and the men retired 10 a respectable distance
When told Of some of the things that had been
said Of him he replied:
7 care not what my enemies say. l have
nothing to say. excepting that If any Armenian
who has heard me scandalized will write me a
letter I will state my position
Put these ugly rumors," reminded the re-
porter; what do you suppose actuated respect
able Arnerians talk this way about you?"
4 know their reasons we'll" said the priest.
What are The reasons?"
L co not care 10 talk. I have told the District
Attorney. What good would it do to talk?"
You might set these ugly stories at rest"
I am in danger" said the priest. Il don't
care 10 talk Spies have lied to my people about
ne. I do not want TO talk l mean about poll
tics I DO not want 70 talk about the conditions
in my country and Turkey. Spies are bad.
do not want talk about them and what they
have done and are doing"
DO you mean TO infer that the spies in the
employ Of the Turkish government hired Har-
partzoomian TO kill Tavshanjian?' was asked
It is against my principles TO say what i'm
agine on that matter replied the priest. II do
not want TO talk on that which has happened"
It was the second time that Father Martooges-
sian referred to the murder Of Tavshanjian as
that which happened" He denied that he was
et present at the head Of the Hunchagist, or
even member Of =.
TROUBLE IN ARMENIAN CHURCH.
The trouble in the New York church is said
10 have had its beginning IN December, 1905
when seven hundred Armenians attended a
mass meeting at the Chimney Corner Hall. 26th
street and Sixth avenue. 10 protest against the
actions OF Father Martoogessian The priest,
hearing OF the meeting. told the police and
landlord the men We're anarchists; squad Of
police was sent 10 the hall and the crowd dis
uersed but not before some four hundred Of
hem had signed resolutions accusing Martoo-
gessian of using profane language, cursing the
re1iQion melting brother against brother
breaking up meetings using church funds dis
honestly not giving an account Of his steward
ship in four years and OF having criminal in
cinations."
These resolutions were forwarded to the Rev.
Boghos Kaftanjian at Worcester. Mass, the
vicar Of the Orthodox Armenian Church in
America. Upon their receipt the vicar came to
this city 10 find that Father Martoogessian had
resigned. A meeting Of the congregation was
called, the board Of trustees ousted and a
board elected When the votes had been counted
Il was found that HoOhannes 6 Tavshanjan
had the majority, and in consequence he was
selected chairman of the board. They selected
a priest temporarily. and a few months later
cali Was sent out 10 the members to vote on the
permanent pastor
Il = charged that Martoogessian sent out OF
town for fifty Armenians, who went to the
meeting armed These men, il is alleged re-
ceived s. each and expenses. Seeing this.
large number Of the congregation became fright
eDed and left the church. The votes were
counted, and Martoogessian got ~ ont of the %
cast
As soon the result Of the election WAS
known he arose declared himself pastor of the
parish and announced the subject of his sermon
on the following Sunday would be, Il am not
alone" AT the same time Mr.. Tavshaniian and
the entire board Of trustees resigned.
Resolutions were passed at the recent cOnyen-
ton OF the church held in Worcester Mass
declaring rather Martoogessian Is no longer a