Swansea Journal and South Wales Liberal. — 1895-01-12 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

SASSOUN MASSACRE.  A Horrible Story.  Travellers are beginning to reach Constantinople from villages not far distant from the scene ef the disturbances last autumn in the Sassoun mountains. These travellers furnish a tolerably precise account of what happened in the villages of that district. The trouble began with one of the periodical squabbles between Kurds and Armenians for the possession of cattle, which the former attempted to steal. It culminated in serious fighting, in which the Kurds were repulsed. The defeated Kurds finally came down to the Valli of Bitlis, and reported that the Sassoun Armenians were in open revolt, whereupon the Governor, without inquiring into the cause of the disturbance' is said to have telegraphed the statement made by the Kurds to Constantinople, asking at the same time for instructions. These instructions duly, reached the Vale, who forthwith took the necessary steps to stamp out the supposed risirg. Before the troops were sent an attempt to crush the people was made by the irregular Hamidies Cavalry and other .Kurds, but their efforts Ended in failure. Troops were thereupon dispatched from Van Bullis, 3foosh, Mossul and Erzinghian, who, aided by the Kurds, completely surrounded the Sassun district, compelling the people to surrender. Eight villages were laid in ruins, and 24 more were nearly destroyed. The greater portion of the inhabitants, men, women and children, were massacred in the most ruthless manner: The travellers positively assert that the regular troops took part in the horrible slaughter. Little children were lifted up by the hair to receive the deadly stroke of the yataghan, which at one swoop severed head from body. Men and women were hacked to pieces, and portions of their bodies thrown to dogs, with the cry, "Away with the remains of the filthy nation." One hundred Women are further stated to have been handed over to the soldiery, and were sent on to Van. Eve-witnesses who saw them on the road to 'Van speak of the wailing and weeping of the women, and their fruitless cries for mercy. They were unmercifully hustled along by the troops, and their fate is at present unknown.  The "Standard" Constantinople corresponden telegraphs :—The English, French, and Russian Governments have asked the Porte to suspend the Governor of Bittis, who is believed to be mainly responsible for the Sassoun massacre, until the International Commission of Inquiry has concluded its labours. The Porte has not yet replied, but it will do its utmost to keep this official in his present position. The statement that A bdullah Pacha's recall had been countermanded is not correct. Discontent is on the increase among the Muss ulmans, ho rightly believe that the policy at present in vogue a: Yildiz Kiosk will lead to the loss of the Armenian provinces. Advices from Erzinghian, of Constantinople. give an account of trial of Armenians, which took place before the Criminal Court at that place on December 15. The prisoners were 58 in number. Twenty-four of them were sentenced to death, five to hard labour' for life, and the remainder to terms varying from three to six yearld hard labour. Fifteen were condemned for political offences. Those upon whom the death sentence was passed included 16 men who were charged with being concerned in the murder of a Mussulman at Armedan, village in the district of Kemanch. Some of the alleged murderers produced passports proving that they were in Constantinople at the time the Mussulman was killed, but they were condemned to death nevertheless. The capital sentence was passed among others on a well-known Armenian litterateur, while Bishop Vartain, of Karnach, was sentenced to three years' hard labour.