The morning journal-courier., 1908-07-31
Amnesty Message from Sultan
Brings Cheer to Hearts of
Fugitives in This
Country.
ARMENIAMS ARE INCL UDED
Mundji Bey, Consul. General IN New
York, Reads Proclamation Grant
Ing All Permission to Re-
turn Home.

New York, July 30.--Proclamations
announcing that the sultan Of Turkey
was graclously pleased to grant gen.
eral amnesty to all political fugitives
In this country were placed in front Of
the Armenian and Syrian newspaper
offices on Washington street shortly af-
ter noon today, The effect was instan-
taneous, Groups OF excited men and
women gathered In front of the bull
letin boards. and then hurried away,
spreading the good news far and wide.
Kali Khayyat hurried into his fav-
orte coffee house and ordered three
black coffees in rapid succession, and
then went into his newspaper office to
prepare the latest headlines OF which
his stock of tye was capable. In all tte
resorts Of the district the atmus phe-e
buzzed with excited conversation, with
laughter, and with EXPLANATIONS.
A reporter for Syrian daily on We
sey street hurried down to the Offices
Of the Turkish consulate at No 80 Pearl
street TO confirm the GOOD tidings, and
found that II was even so. Mundji Bey.
the consul general at THE port. even
went further, grasping the Journalists
hand and gently intimating that. II he
In the past had been classed among
those who had left their country for
their country's good, there was no rea-
on-ahem-ahem.- whereat every one
bowed and good fellowship reigned.
And then, with American newspaper
men, Armenians Syriane. and the like
at his elbow, Mundjl Bey read that all
might hear the part of the sultans
message transmitted through the Turk
! amnesty:
Inform all fugitive Turkish citizens
In New York city and In all the United
| States including political fugitives.
without regard to race or nationality,
whether Greek. Armenian. Turkish, AL
bantam, everything, that, after promul-
cation OF constitution for the Turk
ish empire, his majesty the sultan.
/ upon request OF the government. has
granted general amnesty and all politi-
cal fugitivcs may go back to Turkey,
| after having the necessary passports
verified at the Office OF the Turkish con-
sulate, No. 50 Pearl street, New York
city"
The reading was the signal for cheer
ing, A number OF Young Turks who
were present said II signaized the
dawning Of the brightest day In Tur-
KEYS history The consul-generai,
himself one OF the younger generation
was enthusiastic.
81 regard this" he said, "as the most
important step forward that has yet
been taken. In so far as It relates to
| Turkish subjects In the United States.
There are about 100000 Turkish citizens
in this country and more than 100000
of these are political fugitives, men
who may have often longed TO return
to their old homes, but have feared to
do SO.
These men may now go back to
their country without fear. They will
be one with tho rest Of the people. The
Armenian and the Greek Turk. all ma
they are welcome In the land of their
birth This Is great day for Tur-
koy and the Turkish people"
He was asked whether free trans
portatIon would be provided for such
Of his fugitive fellow-countrymen as
might desire to return home.
mo" he replied You see. the fugi-
tive Turks In this country are not poor
people On the contrary they are, for
the most part. men who come from
well-to-do families and are we'll a BILE
to pay for their homeward passage"
In this city the effect Of the pro-
clamation will be sienalized primarily
by the dsbanding of the Hunchakist
as we'll as Syrian and Macedonian pa
triotic societies Of like nature. simply
because OF the fact that they will have
no raIson d'etre, as Mundii Bey put II,
He expects also a general embarkation
of Turkish subjects from these shores
in the near future.
He said he would be surprised II al
least 100, 000 did not return TO their ma.
tive lands within the next month or so
OF the $4,000 Armenians, Syrians and
the like In this city he estimated that
| h,nUU HN ltdSi Noulu u'BbIt MlNiiH g
very short time. OF Turkish refugees
he said. there were none here, but g
large colony had settled In Providence,
r. 7.
"You must understand" he said,
that the amnesty applies to political
not criminal refugees am sure that
those who have offended politically ant
have sought an asylum In this country
will now return and help in the worl
of constructing united nation. Tur-
| key will now be as free as the United
States. Shortly, II I mistake not
there will be Turkish ambassador a
Washington. Our aim will be to main
tain the closest relations with thu
United states. as indeed, Is natural
since the condition Of citizens Of Thu
country will be our ideal for citizen
ship in Turkey.
"The proclamation Is made in good