Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1916-05-20
TERRIBLE DETAILS
ARMENIAN HORRORS
PERSONAL INTERVIEW WITH EYE
WITNESS OF ARMENIAN Afro
CITIES IS MADE IN NEW YORK
CITY.
BY Pae. and lnel News Service.

NEW YORK CITY. May 2O.-Hrand
Navarriantz. an Armenian poet who
has just arrived here has laid bare
hitherto unknown and appalling de-
tails concerning last years massacres
in Armenia.
Navarriantx said the number of vic
Tins has not been exaggerated and
proof has been secured showing that
the government not only gave its con-
sent but aided the Young Turk party
to carry out the massacres.
ut was when our brothers in the
Caucasus jointed the Russian army
advancing toward Van, that the Young
Turk party began to suspect the
Armenian population in Turkey of
treason and decided on its destruction
in order to prevent an hypothetical in
surrection," he said.
"The Armenian soldiers who were
serving in the regular Turkish army
operating in the Caucasus were imme-
diately disarmed and sent in the in
terror to build roads and Notifications.
"Massacres began right after that in
every Armenian town. The male mem
bers of the community, from the COM
were gathered in the public square or
in front of the church and shot dead
under the eyes of their terrified moth
ers, sisters or wives.
Conclusive proof that the Young
Turks crime was perpetrated with the
consent of the government was found
in the residence of the Governor of
Kome, where seventy Turkish gend-
armes had been sent to carry out the
, massacre of the local Armenian popu-
lation.
Turkey will once more plead as eX-
cuse that Armenians were planning to
take advantage of the European con-
flagration to rise against Turkish rule
and secure autonomy. Enver Pasha
will once more state that the Ar
menian population assisted the Rus
sian advancing towards Van. But
nothing Is more absurd and untrue.
THE beginning of the European
| conflict coincided with the annual
meeting at Erzerum of the Dacknackt.
soutioun, the Armenian national asso-
| citation. The Young Turk party sent
emissaries to Erzerum to invite the
Armenians to pass resolutions urging
their brothers in the Russian Caucasus
| to organize an insurrection in case OF
war between Turkey and Russia.
THE Armenians not only refused
but warned the Young Turk party that
Intervention In the conflict would
cause Turkeys utter ruin. Hence the
Young Turks wroth.
1.-The price Armenia paid for her 10y
atty was more than a million men, wo
men and children deliberately mur
dered.
But now the situation has changed
If up to year ago Armenia still hoped
the Turk would finally keep her prom
ise and grant liberty to live and work
in peace today such hope has fol
ever vanished.
"The Armenian population has re
called at last that the victory of Rus
sia is their victory and two hundred
thousand Armenian volunteers are In
the rank and file of the Russian army
Of the Caucasus. This Is Armenia's
Holy War, a new crusade against hel
unrelenting enemy"
Speaking of the Armenian nationa
aspiration, Navarriantz said:
1--WE rely for protection on the lib
: eral and Christian nations of the
world. What we now want is our free
dom, our independence under the pro
, tectorate Of England, France, Italy arc
Russia. The latter has promised tc
support our demands at the next peace
congress, and we have reasons to be
lieve the other nations will not oppose
them. Several years ago Russia pre-
; pared project to grant to Armenia, 6
large measure Of autnnomy. The 81,
Armenian provinces, Erzerum, Djarke
. kir, Kerput Sivas, Bitlis, and Var
were to be united under the sovereign
ty of governor appointed by the Sui
tan and controlled by the Christian
/, powers OF Europe. q
To-day this Is no longer sufficient
Galicia must be added to these prov
/. inces and Armenia given an outlet u