The Northern Guardian. — 1896-09-29 (Hartlepool, Cleveland, England)

MEETING IN THE FREE TRADE HALL. Last night, a Labour meeting to protest against the Armenian atrocities was held in the Free , tTrade Hall, West Hartlepool. Mr T. 8. Harland presided over a moderate attendance. The Chairman said, as working-men, they had a right to make themselves heard in a matter of that descrip,  .t..;;;‘ 'The mexiacres which were occurring almo.St daily in Armenia were a disgrace to Chrietianity, and would have to be put a etop to. They did not not war, and he hoped the Government would be able to bring about some satisfactory settlement of these horrible crimes. . • ..  Mr BIZAVRISAVI moved the following remlation : —.That this meeting is of the Qpillioll that the ma...cm which are occurring almost dolly in Armenia are • disgrace to Christianity, and hopes the Government will noon be able to pot a stop to them." - - • •  •—•••• Mr J. H. REED seconded. He said England wa• to • great extent responsible for the present state of affairs, and they, as Englishmen, were also responsible. England had backed up Turkey, and he thought every working-man should be interested. They did not want to go to war, and he was sere no one present would envy the position of Lord Salisbury. He needed the support of every Englishman, and he had no doubt that a man with a cool head like Lord Salisbury would bring about satisfactory results. These terrible crimes would have to be stopped, but how were they going to do it . " "  Mr W. H. WISZ supported the resolution. He said 796 years ago the Euphratee river ran red with the blood of 5,000 Armenian. butchered by the Turks in religion. hatred, and history had been repeating herself up to the prment time. He could speak to them from pereonal experience of: the Turks on both eides of the Bosphorus, but the accounts which bad come under their notice were so horrible that he was afraid his recitals would be comparatively insignificant. If that meeting had to propose a resolution that the Sultan would be better dead, he wee sure they were all prepared to vote for it. The working-men ehowed a peculiar interest M that matter. If the recruiting mrgeant had to come amongat them it would be with them that he would expect to raise a force, Ad he (Mr Wise) wondered how many .• ecreachera " would accept the Queen's shilling. (Laughter.) Our arrangement with Tommy Atkins was not heroic. We contracted with Tommy for Is Id a day that he most do and die whenever called upon, but he (Ile Wise) had been amazed to find the ignorance displayed by certain ,coral and religions teachers. They wanted to touch poor ITommy on the shoulder and say, How, Tommy, my lad, time's up, do and die." (Laughter.) IHs thought they should advocate war with far better piece if they were prepared to stand Moulder to Amides. with Tommy, and Mare in the risk of being made meat for the voltures. He was happy to say that the call to arms sehlah woe wended by a local minieter had  fallen flat, ar.ii oaly the cry, hnmanity is being heard. Anotherrevetnedgeuelernan, speak. ing at Hartlepool, expressed a hope that fire would .ilescend from Heaven and consume the Sultan of Turkey. (Laughter.) Another gentleman had spoken in this fashion t• What have we to do with consequences, consequences are in the hands of (tod." However, he thought they hail.neer dropped the doctrine of spiritual intervention. That doctrine hail worked much mischief in the pot. Fanatical men had attempted itnpossilvilities only to learn that the holy laws of (101 l were constant. Mr Wise then dealt at length with the murders which have taken plan. The resolution we/teethed unanimously.