The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1908-10-27
YOUNG TURKS
NOW RULE.
President Roosevelt Hears from
H. H. Topakyan Of Work
ing Of Constitution.
CRIME LESS In NEW REGIME

~NeNA'@~~ A~A~C0 AAN AgA@ w 1N4AQl1i11A
President Roosevelt has learned at
first hand from Fl. II. Topakyan. Of
this city, details Of the scenes and
tremendous effects in Constantinople
following the granting Of a constitu-
tion by the Sultan. The story made
a deep impression on the President,
who is expected to give his views a
public expression when the new Min
lister from Turkey arrives in Washing
ton to present his credentials. In re-
cognition of Mr.. Topakyan'S services
the President has sent him one of his
photographs, on which he has written:
- To Mr.. Fl. H, Topakyan with the
good wishes of Theodore Roosevelt =
Mr. Topakyan told the President
that the bond Of common suffering,
followed unexpectedly by the great
blessing of a constitution which in
sures the rights Of both Turks and
Armenians, has made them real broth
ers, so that they publicly embraced
one another with Joy when the news
of the constitution was made known.
He arrived in Constantinople the
morning Of July 25. The Sultan
granted the constitution the previous
night.
John G.. A. Leishman, American
Ambassador to Turkey, told MI To
pakyan he was amazed at the brilliant
Intelligence displayed on all sides by
the new men who had come into pub
lie life with the ascendancy Of the
Young Turkish party.
"They have absolute but entirely
democratic control of the people, Mr.
Topakyan said. "Crimes and disorder
stopped like magic as soon as Young
Turkey was recognized. l saw a row
start in shop when customer
brought back goods and demanded re-
turn of his money. a large crowd
collected, but in an instant two men,
bers of the innumerable committees
on public order were in the midst Of
it, arranged the difficulty and told the
discontinued man - Go. Be good.
Young Turkey is on trial and will be
judged by her own conduct
That is the spirit Of the whole
people now. They feel that they have
won great victory and must cherish
it as well as defend It, One Of the
committee chiefs told me he could
give sign and in an hour thirty thou
sand men would assemble to defend
the new constitution.
"l'he most pitiful spectacle / saw
was the release OF the political prls-
oners under the general amnesty. Mr..
Leishman gave guard for my wife
and myself and our carriage stood op-
posite the gate through which hun
dreds and hundreds of them, men and
women, came out to freedom after
years OF incarceration. Most Of them
were afraid to come out. They seemed
to think they we're being led into
trap. They stood still at the gate and
wept and trembled. We had to drive
away. The sight was too pitiful."
Mrs. Topakyan was especially moved
by this scene. Her father, DR.. A.
Yaretzian, prominent physician and
clergyman of Caesarea, was murdered
and his house looted in 1896 by a mob
OF Turks who were inflamed against
the Armenians. Twenty young women
Of neighbor's families went to his
home as refuge during the rioting.
They were concealed in the cellar with
his family, including the present Mrs.
Topakyan. When DR.. Yaretzian saw
that defence longer was useless he
went to the cellar, kissed all the fugi-
tives goodby, gave them his blessing
and, returning to the street door,
opened it and was shot dead as he
told the mob they were destroying
their own country and not the Ar
menians by their action. The fugi-
tives in the cellar were overlooked in
the rush for pillage.