Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-07-31
Hunchakists Deny Con-
neCtion With Armenians
Suspected Of Wholesale Black
mail, Also Of Murder.


New York, July 30.-It is stated to-
day that Bedros Hampartzoomian, who
killed Tavshanjian and is now in the
Tombs under indictment for murder in
the first degree lived at Lowell, Mass,
at the home of an uncle, for several
years. His real name is said to be Be-
drcs Khachadorian. He is an ardent
adherent of the Hunchakist. the Arme-
MAN society, one faction of-which is
credited with threatening merchants
with death if they did not contribute to
revolutionary funds. Khachadorian Is
said also to have always been devoted
to Father Levent Martoogessian, the
Armenian priest, who has been placed
under arrest in connection with the
case.
Following a searching examination of
Father Martoogessian by an assistant
district attorney early today, several
Armenans were taken into custody
by the police. They were held as wit
nesses.
In a formal statement issued through
its executive committee in America to
day, the Armenian Revolutionary
Hunchakist party disclaims all con-
nection with the assassination of Tav-
shanjian. the rug merchant. The state
ment declares that the men concerned
i'm the assassination were expelled from
the Hunchakist party ''for treachery
and heinous crimes of blackmair' and
that since their expulsion they have
done much to degrade the honored
name Of great patriotic party" The
statement says:
"Likc all patriotic and law abiding
Armcnians. the members Of the Arme-
nian Revolutionary Hunchakist party
have been shocked and filled with hOr-
ror and CONSERVATION by the cowardly
assassination of their hOnored country
man. the late II. S. Tavshanjian. They
are especially indignant because these
dsfeputabc leaders of the small gang
Of blackmailers and murderers presume
to call themselves 'Hunchakists,' de-
grading the honored name of great
patriotic party.
'.FCr various acts Of treachery and
heinous crimes of blackmail they We're
finally expelled from the Hunchakist
party. Yet they have always endeav-
ored to call themselves 'Reorganized
Hunchakists.' exploiting thus the
great name of our party-so loved and
honorcd by all patriotic Armenians.
'These Alfarists during their decade
Of existence have done nothing for Ar
Eenia but bring disgrace to her fair
name by their heinous crimes of black
mail and murder. The scandal Of their
msdcCds reached such a point that
even their own followers protested ami
rcbellcd
'ThcrefOre the executive committee
of America of the Armenian Revolu-
tionary Hunchakist party earnestly
requests the impartial press and the
people of America, not to confound this
gang Of blackmailers With the old
mother party. and hold her responsible
for it's shameful and loathsome mis-
deeds.
"The Hunchakist party during it's 20
years of existence. has raised funds for
her heroic struggle against Turkish
tyranny. only through absolutely vol
untary contributions from patriotic Ar
mcnians."
The statement is called an "oflicial
declaration" and is signed by the COM
mittcc.
A big crowd gathered around police
headquarters when Father Martoogessian
and the other prisoners were being held
there. BY the time the prisoners were
taken out Of the building on the way to
court fully 900 persons were crowded
around the Mott street entrance to the
building. As the police and their prisoner
came through the entrance the crowd
began to boot and jeer.
When arraigned in police court Father
Martoogessian was held in $4,000 bail on
the charge of attempted robbery and his
examination was set for tomorrow. The
five other prisoners were held in 500 bail
each as suspicious persons. The affidavit
in Martoogessian's case charged that he
attempted to extort sums ranging from
$500 to $4,000 from various persons.
Later Martooressian was indicted by
the grand jury for attempted bribery In
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