The Northern News. — 1896-09-05 (Carlisle, Cumbria, England)

THE CROWNED ASSASSIN.  The news from Constantinople this last week has been calculated to send a fresh thrill of horror through the civilized world. The ghastly tragedy which has been enacted in Armenia for so many months past has been transferred to a new theatre—no less than the capital of the Turkish Empire itself. There, under the very walls of the Sultan's palace, in the presence of his army and his police, outrage and murder have gone on unchecked. The worst passions of the Moslem fanatics have been aroused, and been glutted by the massacre and maltreatment of thousands of innocent and helpless Christians. A number of Armenians, incited t is said by the Armenian Committee, and armed with bombs and dynamite, seized and held the Ottoman Bank. The authorites were unable to dislodge them, and finally agreed to allow them to leave the country unmolested, on condition that they yielded. This dastardly bargain was carried out. But while the guii`y were thus allowed to go scot free, it was otherwise with the innocent and unoffending Armenians of the city. Armed bands patrolled it everywhere, and Armenians were murdered wherever they were seen, or could be found. For thirty hours the massacre went on, the troops and police remaining passive spectators. How many were killed it is impossible to say—the lowest estimate is 2,000, the highest 10,000. So critical was the position that Mr Herbert, the British representative, landed British bluejackets from the Dryad to guard the Embassy and other buildings. Their landing gave rise to an episode—the only cheering one in the whole affair. When the bluejackets were marching from the guardship to the Embassy, the sailors came across a raging mob of Turkish fanatics maltreating some Armenians. On seeing the bluejackets the Armenians rushed to them for protection, which was readily given. The bluejackets placed the poor wretches behind them and kept the murderous mob back, striking blows with great heartiness with the butt ends of their carbines. Could it be believed that on hearing the news at the Yildiz Kiosk the greatest excitement prevailed,and that the Sultan had the unparalleled effrontery to complain to the British Embassy, remarking that the English sailors should remember that they were in a foreign country. The reply of Mr Herbert was the only one that an Englishman could give—that given similar circumstances, the English sailors would act in the same way everywhere. For the present, massacres are at an end, but not till the Armenians have in some quarters of the city at least, been wiped out. But the matter cannot end here! The whole proceedings are characteristic of the rule of the unspeakable Turk. The men who were guilty in the first instance (if indeed they were not engaged to do the work by the Government itself in order to furnish an excuse for the subsequent slaughter) were set at liberty because they could strike. It was the innocent and the defenceless who were made to suffer. The  Powers, we are told, sent a strongly-worded collective note to the Porte, directing his attention to the strong evidence that the massacre of the Armenians was organised, and that the authorities connived at it. The representatives declined to illuminate their embassies in honour of the Sultan's accession, declaring truly that it was a time for mourning and not for rejoicing. This is all very well so far as it goes, but it is not enough. Whether the Sultan and his entourage actively promoted the massacre, which has stained the streets of his capital with so much innocent blood; or whether they merely cocnived at it, or whether they were helpless to prevent it, in any case they are not fit longer to hold rule. Armenia is inaccessible to the British navy, and Lord Salisbury might in regard to it plead non poszintis when asked to to aid the Armenians. But Constantinople is not beyond reach ! There a possibility of bringing to bear upon the Sultan here arguments of which he must feel the force, without asking leave of Russia or anyone else. Not that the entente cordiale among the powers should be interrupted if it can consistently with honour and humanity be maintained. But if it is only to be maintained at the terrible price which has been paid for it in Armenia, the sooner it is brought to an end, the better.