Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-10-11
Wednesday, October II. 1922.
as,Nc THE PROSECUTED HERE7

An interesting CoHtiicuioA
volume OF opinion expressed respect
Ing the nature Of Americas obliga-
.ions TO the Near East is that OF
Hagop Bogigian. an Armenian oy
birth with IS years OF his life spent
in this country. and who by reason OF
his unsagging championship OF the
rights OF Christian peoples IN his
native land and his knowledge Of
conditions speaks with authority.
He declares, reports the Boston
Herald that the United States should
not intervene in the muddled affairs.
Ho says:
The whole near east is now in
muddle. and none of us know what Is
going TO happen. Turkey has been
the centre OF a great many European
troubles in the past. and just now
number Of well meaning Christian
people in America are urging that we
declare war upon the Turks.
"If I-worc to think only OF my own
native land and of my nationality 1
should certainly feel that vigorous
action should he taken by any gov
eminent for tho safety of our people,
the Atmcnians But as an American
citizen, and as desiring to uphold our
Independence in such matters, l am
opposed 80 any such action on the
rart of the United States. and de-
,idcdly against our government go
ing 10 war with Turkey.
II feel that IL is the duty OF Eu-
rope To look after the Christians IN
Turkcy. and as a close student of the
European situation | feel that Europe
IL Very Ia gcly to blame for all that
ia now going on and has occurred IN
tho past II is simply the intention
of tho European powers to open up
trade relations with the Turks, as
well as 10 favor their co-religionists.
especially in northern Africa, over
which France has more or less con-
troll. with Italy also interested ana
England having a large population OF
Mohammcdans in India. Thus 1t is
tho European powers which are both
morally and legally bound to move
in tho matter"
There is likely TO he more dissent
with his further opinion that this
country should brn. the destitute
Armcnians to this country and find
homes and employment for them. He
suggests that in parts of the South
whore there is great need Of agrl-
cultural labor fitting places might be
found FOR them and that with half
chance Armonians are able to take
care OF themselves. With the latter
part OF his conclusion there will be
nttle controversy from those ac-
quainted with that people, but there
viii be serious doubts whether the
Armenans. though settled upon the
land. would stay there in this country
with its facilities for changing occu-
patton ana the Armenians' well
known aptitude for trade.
Manifestly it will not accord with
the traditional helpfulness Of the
American people to do nothing in this
grave emergency in the Near East.
We have sent aid and will send more,
Notwithstanding the conviction that
We are helping to save people who
ultimately will fall a prey to the
ruthlessness OF the Turk, and that in
part the Turk in the end will in
directly profit from the aid. Such
being the situation. II any assurance
could he had that these prosecuted
people would take a place in this
country that Is in need Of workers,
the plan has much to recommend 1t.
IL is. however. doubtful whether
bringing here thousands Of those
who would insist On entering the
overcrowded vocatons would be
profitable TO them, as 1t certainly
would not he to us.