REFORMS IN ARMENIA.

Evening Star, Issue 9774, 2 August 1895, Page 2

REFORMS IN ARMENIA.

[Special to Press Association.]

LONDON, August 1

Great Britain, France, and Russia are entirely in accord in pressing reforms upon the Sultan.

The need for reforms is well put in the following article from the Birmingham ‘Daily Post’ of May 15:—“ At length we are able to judge of the facts in connection with Armenia. The British, French, and Russian delegates have themselves visited the reputed scenes of some of the worst atrocities, and have found ample confirmation of the reports. They saw the charred ruins of villages which had been fired after most of the inhabitants had been tortured and murdered, and they found two huge pits in which were human remains and clothing. Though the bodies discovered were few in number the worst may be assumed, for the pita had previously been opened and many corpses removed —some by friends, and some by foes. Further details do not now seem necessary. If only this one dime against humanity were committed by, or with tho connivance of, the Turks, a case has been established for sweeping reform. It does not need this atrocity a thousand times repeated or a thousand times varied to constitute an indictment of the most damning character against Turkish rule in Asia Minor. One such instance suffices, and as that instance has been adduced nothing remains to be done but to demand a sweeping change. It is obvious either that Turkey cannot control the assassins and pillagers who have perpetrated the outrages in Armenia or that she will not. In either case the blame is the same, and the same measures of reform must be insisted upon. England herself has a terrible responsibility in this matter. Twice by British intervention, as the Duke of Argyll pointed out in his last important speech, Turkey has been saved from extinction. It is we who have enabled her to maintain her power, and it is we who are in a sense answerable for her good behaviour. If she offend, the blame is reflected upon us, and it is we who must take a hand in the punishment and in the remedy.”