The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-19
u. s. WARNS TURKEY
TO STOP ATROCITIES
Lansing Cables Protest
Against Massacre Of Ar
mcnianS.
HINT OF DRASTIC ACTION

CHICAGO. Feb. is.-The Tribune under
a Washington date will say tomorrow
Although approximately 10000 00
Armenians already have been massacred
or starved to death by the Turks. the
United states Government despatched
to-day ite FIRST actual protest against the
continuation Of such atrocities. At the
direction of President Wilson Secretary
Lansing cabled instructions to- tho
American Embassy at Constantinoplc Ia
present the protest. which IL In eject a
warning to the ottoman Government,
The protest states IN substance
Thu American people have been
deeply stirred by the fate Of the
Christians ruthlcssly slaughtered in
Armenia.
The Government of the United
States. having re eived precise T
cial information Of the occurrences.
no longer can doubt that authorities
Of the Turkish Government are re-
sp nsihie for hitherto unparalleled
atrocities. which nave shocked the
civilized world
The United States is prompted 10
express to the Turkish Government
the confidence that the authors or the
atrocities will he punished.
Drastic Action Threatened.
Furthermore. the United states.
ac,uated by a wholly disinterested de-
sire To uphold the principles OF justice
and humanity. protests against the
liberation - such occurrences and
gives warning that In the event of a
repetition thereof the American Gov
crnment will he compelled to take
action OF "A more drastic character
The President directed the lodgment
OF this protest at a time when the atten-
ton OF all observers of Developments
in the great war ~ riveted upon the
Near East. With the Russian Grand
Duke Nicholas In possession of Erzerum
and threatening Turkish communications
with Mcsopotamia. where the British
force IS b~eleague'e ed. IL became knpwr
to-day that u serious economic situation
has DEVELOPED In European Turkey.
According to official reports received
here Germany has taken advantage of
the opening OF the route TO Constants
nople 10 denude Turkey OF the greater
part OF the available supplies of food
stuffs. II seems that the Tu' kish Gov
ernmen long & Communicated th'
food supply or the ottoman empire anu
established supervision Of the appor'ion-
ment OF food to the population.
When the German army hswed it.
way through the balkans and restored
communication with constantinople the
Berlin Government Immediately nego'
tiated a purchase OF a vast amount OF
| foodstuMs In Turkey. The sale was
made TO Germany by a group OF Turkish
officials who are practically in contro
OF IN, Ottoman Government. According
TO stat nents contained In the official re-
, ports evidence is not wanting that self
interest on the part OF the Turkish Of
ficlals controlling the food supply en-
tered INTO the sale to Germany,
For several weeks. II Is stated, the
railroad connecting the German and
Turkish capitals has been practically
gwen over TO he transportation OF mill
tary equipment to Constantinople ant
OF foodsturs to Berlin and other Ger
man cities.
II IL alleged tina, the Turkish official:
have sold such a vast moun of grain
I mutton and other foods to Germany tina
the population OF Turkey Is face 10 face
with starvation. The reports state tina
the shortage o: food IL 30 acute thai
the situation vii! he serious within :
couple OF months The reason for th'
shortage. H. not known 10 the Turkish
people. but the belief is expressed tina
when Il does become known the otto
| man Government will he threatened viii
a revolution.