The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-03-03
lLHERE IS IHE STORY.
Intinued from page One.)

brought a series Of subjugations and
prosecutions which have not ended to
the present day.
When the Ottoman Turk set up his
mosque at Agia Sofia in the sixteenth
century he got grip on the lano that
has not been Ioosed until the great war
killed the power Of the Turk.
Mohammed, the conqueror, was toll
Grant for a time. He left the Christians
alone, though granting them no civil
recognition unless they embraced Moh-
ammedanism. Armenians became the
traders and business men among the
Turks, and were loyal as citizens,
though they chung to their ancient
Language and religion.
Armenia in time. on the ever-chang-
ing map OF Europe, was divided among
Turkey, Russia and Persia But Turk
ey controlled most. Russian Nihilists
provoked revolts in 1885 and warfare
marked by extreme cruelty on both
sides was waged.
Turkey intrusted the subduIng Of
the rebels to the savage Kurds and
then began the massacres which have
stirred the civilized world and made
the name of Turkey infamous.
In 1894 England, France and Russia.
backed up by their warships made the
sultan promise restitution and reforms.
The Armenians wanted safety. share
in the government and proportional re-
presentation.
But the Turks and the Kurds were
lily curbed and the masacres continue
ed. villages were devastated, famine
and plague followed. The Turkish gov
eminent reluctantly permitted the Red
Cross to bring relief to the sufferers
The outrages became feweE for time.
But in August, 1896, a mob in Constan-
tinople. spurred on by government
agents beat to death 1000 Armenians,
because Of attacks by group Of Arm
enians on the Ottoman bank.
Determined efforts to stamp out the
entire Armenian race followed this
outbreak and Europen alliances be-
came so entangled that no power dar-
ed to step in and compel the inhuman-
ity to cease.
Fanaticism and cupidity Of the ig-
norant subjects of the Turkish gov
eminent were played on and they came
to see the determination Of the Arm.
enian as religious duty, with confis-
citation Of his property as the reward.
With the outbreak Of the Great Waf
and the entrance Of Turkey on the side
Of Germany, the determination Of the
Armenians was quickened. They were
slaughtered by thousands in their
homes and villages. They were herded
together for deportation and started on
marches Of hundreds of miles which
had for their purpose only the death by
exhaustion and starvation Of the mar
chehs. Hundreds whose vitality car
Ifed them far were butchered by the
roadsides, Mothers with babes who
fell out were either slain or left to
starve. Turkish officials boosted of the
numbers whose death they had COM
passed. 1t is estimated that 10000
were slain.
Thousands of Armenians fled into
the Caucasus and with the Georgians
formed an army of 100000 men which
fought on the side of the allies
Perhaps a million are left in Turkish
Armenia of the people who have so
long suffered persecution. That per-
secution is ended and thousands will
return from the four corners of the
earth to enjoy the peace OF their ma
tive land.
Peasants, w;orkmen, artisans mostly.
they have displayed stubborn endur-
ance rather than moral stamina. Their
ability for self government is a thing
untried in modern days. Their spon-
sors will have much to do besides pro-
tect them from incurstons.
Armenia will be given seaports at
Trebizond, on the Black sea and on the
Mediterranean, 1t is expected.
The wide plains of the Van produce
excellent crops and there are rich val
leys where cotton and rice and fruit
and tobacco grow. There are some silk
mills and other small industries but
mostly the people are handworkers,
weaving of rugs being one of the chief
industries.
Rich copper mines and iron and gold
and silver are Armenia's mineral
wealth.
In appearance the Armenians are
much like the Jews. In temperament
they are oriental, full of sentiment and
emotion. The women weep readily. In
one Of the American scheols-and the
Americans have done more than any
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