THE ARMENIAN ATROCITIES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1189, 14 December 1894, Page 34

THE ARMENIAN ATROCITIES.

Washington, December 8. The Commissioners from the United States will act with those chosen by Turkey and Great Britain in enquiring into the Armenian outrages. Vienna, December 8. The Austrian press is alarmed at the English feeling against Turkey, believing that England will assist the Russian designs. London, December 9. It is reported that Russia will not interfere in the Armenian outrages. London, December 10. Great Britain is trying to secure joint action with regard to the future protection of Armenia. Great anxiety is felt as to what may be the outcome of the present outcry against Turkey.

then regarded as a proof of increasing friendship for Russia. An additional reason given was that the British Government was disappointed at the action of Germany in foiling its proposal for intervention in the Eastern war. The Viennese press, it Will be seeii, is now taking lip the matter, and confirming the report of the Standard’s Vienna correspondent. The allegation now is that the AngloBussian friendship will probably favour the Russian designs in Armenia. It will be as well, therefore, to review the course of 'events since the Standard correspondent’s first report. On the 17th of November the news of the Armenian atrocities was published, the Porte condemned the British consul at Van for stating that the atrocities had been instigated by the Turkish authorities, and subsequently apologised to Lord Kimbeiley. About the same time the Armenian Patriotic Association sent out a circular to the Powers, calling for amendment of the protocol of the Berlin treaty of 1878 (the treaty which ended the Russo-Turkish war, and gave us Lord Beaconfield’s “Peace With Honour ”), and thb ending of Turkish misrule. The sixty-first article of the treaty is as follows:

The Sublime Porte undertakes to carry out without further delay the improvements and reforms demanded by local requirements in the provinces inhabited by the Armenians, and to guarantee their security against the Circassians and Kurds. It will periodically make known the steps taken to this effect to the Powers, who will superintend their application.

On the 22nd of November Lord Kimberley assured an Armenian deputation that the British Ambassador at Constantinople, Sir Philip Currie, was insisting on a “ rapid and impartial enquiry.” . And on the 26th Lord Kimberley consented to the representation of Great Britain on the commission of enquiry set up by the Sultan. All this time and up to December 6th the English and Continental papers were publishing details of the massacres. On the 27th a semi-official announcement "was reported of an agreement between Russia and Great Britain to settle all differences in future by amicable arrangent. On November 29 it was reported that the Armenians in Russian territory (Caucasus) were sending arms and men to help in the “ Turkish rebellion.” *■

*. On December the 4th the Times urged the Powers to make the fullest enquiry. On December 6th a report was published stating that owing to the Armenian troubles the Russian army in the Caucasus was being reinforced by 20,000 > fresh troops. On this review of events, it seems probable that public opinion in Vienna, as represented by the press of that city, is afraid that Russia intends to use the 61st Protocol of the treaty of 2878 as a lever to get the Powers “ to superintend the application ” of the necessary reformatory measures to be adopted by Turkey, and that Great Britain is favourable. Under such an arrangement it is not difficult to guess at the Power most likely to be trusted with the superintendence of the application of reform in Armenia on behalf of the Powers