The Washington herald., 1918-10-24
FIFTH iNsTAII.NENT.

NtlsHVsSf.
Such measures could mean only that
things were happening in Asia Minor
which the authorities were determined
TO conceal. But they did not succeed.
Though all sorts of impediments were
placed to travelling, certain Americans
chieny missionaries, succeeded in get
ungt through. For hours they would
SIT In my office and. with tears
streaming down their faces. they
would tell me of the horrors through
which they had passed. Many Of
these, both men and women. were
almost broken in health from the
scenes which they had Witnessed In
many cases they brought me letters
from American consuls. confirming
the most dreadful of their nsrrations
and adding many unprintable details
The general purport Of all these first
hand reports was that the utter de-
pravity and hendishness Of the Turk
ish nature, alreAsy sufficiently cele-
brated through the centuries, had now
surpassed itself. There was only one
hope Of saving nearly 100000 people
from MASSAGE, starvation, and even
worse. ! was told-that was the moral
power OF the United States. These
spokesmen OF condemned nation de-
clared that. unless the American Am
bassador could persuade the Turk to
stay his destroying arm, the whole
Armenian nation would disappear. 1t
was not only American and Canadian
missionaries who made this personal
appeal Several of their German as
sociates begged me TO intercede.
These men and women confirmed the
worst things which ] had heard. and
fhgN In dannrUnrFng
their own fatherland They did not
conceal the humiliation which they
felt as Germans I'm the fact that their
own nation was allied with a people
that could perpetrate such infamies.
but they understood German policy
we'll enough 10 know that Germany
would not intercede. There was no
use in expecting aid from the Kaiser
they said-America must stop the
massacres. or they would go on.
Protests to sultan.
Technically. OF course, had no
right TO interfere. According to the
-blooded Iegalities OF the situa-
tion. the treatment Of Turkish sub
jects by the Turkish government was
purely a domestic affair; unless II di-
rectly affected American lives and
American interests. Il was outside the
concern OF the American government
When ! first approached Tslszt on the
subject, he called my attention 10 this
fact in no uncertain terms. This in
terview was one OF the most exciting
which | had had up TO that time. Two
missionaries had just called upon me
giving the full "details of the frightfUl
happenings at Konis. After listen
ing to their Stories could not re-
strain myself. and went Immediately
TO the Sublime Porte saw at once
that Talaat was in one OF his most
ferocious states OF mind. For months
he had been attempting to secure the
release OF two OF his closest friends,
AyoUb Sabri and Zinnoun. who were
held as prisoners by the English al
Malta. His failure in this matter was
constant grievance and Irritation.
he was always talking about il. al
ways making new suggestions for
getting his friends back to Turkey,
and always appealing 10 me for help.
So furious did the Turkish Boss be
come when thinking about his absent
friends that we usually referred TO
these manifestations as Talsst in his
"Ayoub Ssbri moods" This psrticu-
lar morning the minister Of the inte-
rior was in one or his worst 'AyoUt
Ssbri moods Once more he had
been working for the release Of the
exiles and once more he had failed.
As usual he attempted TO preserve
outer calm and courtesy to me. but
his short. snappy phrases, his bull
dog rigidity, and his wrists planted
on the table. showed that it was an
unfavorable moment 10 stir him TO
any sense OF pity or remorse. l FIRST
spoke to him about a Canadian mis-
sionary. DIR. McNaughton. who was
receiving harsh treatment In Asia
Minor
Time Limit on Promise"
The man is an English agent" he
replied. and we have the evidence
for it"
Let me see it, ! asked
Well do nothing for any English
man or any Canadian" he replied.
until they release Ayoub and zin-
noun"
But YOU promised to treat English
in the employ OF Americans as Amer
leans" l replied.
That may be-" rejoined thu srninis-
ter. but a promise is not made 20 be
kept forever. I withdraw that prom
Use now. There is a time limit on a
promise"
But If a promise Is not binding
what is2" ! asked.
"A guarantee" TaIast answered
quickly.
This fine Turkish distinction had 3
certain metaphysical interest. but J
had more practical matters to discuss
at that time So began to talk
about the Armenisns at Konia, I had
hardly started when Talaat's attitude
became even more beihgerent His
eyes lighted up. he brought his jaws
together, leaned over toward nee. and
snapped out:
Are they Americans
The implications OF this question
were hardly diplomatic: II was merely
way Of telling me that the matter
was none of my business. In mo-
ment Talast said this in 50 many
words.
doe. Not Concern stAtes."
The Arrnenians are not TO be trust
ed " he said, besides. what We do
United States
7 replied that i regarded myself as
the friend Of the Armenisns and was
shocked at the way that they were
being treated. But he shook his head
and refused to discuss the matter. ]
saw that nothing could be gained by
forcing the isslfe at that time. ] spoke
in behalf of another British subject
who was not being treated properly.
He's English, isn't he?" answered
Talsat, Then shall do as ! like
with him."
Eat him IL you wlshs ! replied.
No" said Talaat, he would gS
against my digestion" -
I He was altogether in a reckles:
A.GnAA SAr.En L-,.1la nd -. In