THE ARMENIAN QUESTION.

Hastings Standard, Issue 123, 17 September 1896, Page 3

THE ARMENIAN QUESTION.

BRITISH OFFERING PROTECTION. THE DECIMIATION OF ARMENIANS. MR GLADSTONE ON THE SITUATION. Constantinople, Sept. 16. H.M.S. Dryad offers protection to all who wish to take shelw upon British vessels. The Sultan has been impressed by the British Ambassador of the dangerous ferment of public opinion in England. The Armenian Committee threatens to dynamite the Embassies unless concessions are granted. The city still remains in an excited state, and is placarded with demands for the deposition of the Sultan. It is estimated that the ranks of the Armenian Christians have been decimated to the extent of one-fourth of the 40,000 that were known to exist. These have been either killed or deported. Pera is almost deserted, the native Christians being almost afraid to venture in the streets, London, Sept. 16. The Standard's Turkish correspondent suggests that the Powers will offer the Sultan the alternative of establishing a mixed police force or submitting to the presence of foreign fleets and opening the straits. Russia is believed to be secretly opposing the latter proposal.

In the course of a speech at Liverpool, Mr Gladstone, referring to the Armenian atrocities expressed pleasure at the prospect of a national movement being stirred up, and urged that America and Great Britain should unitedly intervene with a view to bring about reforms in Turkey. He also mentioned that the Lutheran press inGermany was agitating for the GoTwmoept tfeece to take action.