Outrages in Armenia.

Manawatu Herald, 19 February 1895, Page 3

Outrages in Armenia.

■■•■- • 9 ■ — Telegrams from Constantinople say it is generally believed that the Armenian question will not be closed by the Sassun inquiry, but that serious steps will be taken by the Powers for the execution of the reforms stipulated for by the Berlin Treaty. The French and Russian Governments have officially notified the Porte that their consuls at Erzeroum have been authorised to appoint delegates to attend the commission of inquiry into the Sassun outrages. It is an offence against the sacred law of Turkey for a Christian to give evidence against a Mussulman, and this in itself will be a difficulty in the way of obtaining truthful evidence at the inquiry, but it is believed the representations of the Great Powers that the difficulty is removed by the guarantee of protection to the witness. By the Treaty of Berlin of 1898, Turkey, in return for tho strong influence of England exerted on her behalf against Russia, promised to make reforms in the treatment of her Armenian subjects, and further agreed that the Great Powers of Europe should " Superintend their application." (Berlin Treaty, Article 61). By the Cyprus Convention of 1878, England promised to assist Turkey by force of arms in protecting her Asiatic dominions from Russian aggression. This Convention renders England morally responsible that Armenia shall be righteously governed. When we remember that the Bulgarian atrocities were attributed to Russian soldiers dressed as Bashi, .with the object of creating an excuse 'for a Russian occupation of Constantinople, we are not prepared to give explicit credence to the stories of the Mussulman massacre of Christians in Armenia.