Independence for Armenia

AN APPEAL To the Congress and the People of the United States of America

BY JOHN G. MOSKOFFIAN, A. M. Professor of Modern Languages in Defiance College, Ohio

WITH A PREFACE BY THE HON. C. J. THOMPSON, Congressman-elect, Fifth Ohio District

U. S. A. 1919

GEN. ANDRANICK Independence for Armenia

AN APPEAL To the Congress and the People of the United States of America

BY JOHN G. MOSKOFFIAN, A. M. Professor of Modern Languages in Defiance College, Ohio

WITH A PREFACE BY THE

HON. C. J. THOMPSON, Congressman-elect, Fifth Ohio District

U. S. A. 1919

HRISTIAN Armenia stood by Christianity and Civilization in Cthe Near East for more than sixteen centuries and now she hopes that Christian America will stand by her for her freedom and independence.

PREFACE

RMENIA is mostly under the rule of the government A of Turkey, and six provinces and Armenian Cilicia are a part of that country. The Turko-Russian war be­ gan in 1877. It was caused by the repeated outrages and butcheries of the citizens of Christian states then under Turkish rule—such states as Bosnia, Bulgaria, Monte­ negro, and Herzegovnia. The government of Russia served notice on the European powers that she would no longer tolerate such conditions to exist. It was a bloody and hard-fought war, lasting until January 31, 1878, and Russia was victorious. The 3rd of the following March the treaty of San Stefano was signed, making Bulgaria an independent principality, Montenegro, Roumania, and Servia independent states, and a clause was inserted in the treaty protecting the Armenians. After the conclusion of this treaty there was called at Berlin a Concert of Powers. England took the lead in de­ claring that the treaty of San Stefano touched upon ques­ tions which were not only Turco-Russian but European in their nature. The real milk in the cocoanut was jealousy of the growing power of Russia. It was determined that the settlement imposed by the Czar Liberator should be re­ viewed by the Congress of European Powers to be held in the city of Berlin July 13, 1878. The result of the conference was a re-writing and a mutilation of the Ar­ menian clause of the San Stefano treaty that left the Ar­ menians at the mercy of the Turks; the power of Russia as an aggressive champion of the rights of Christian na­ tions was checkmated and the falling fortunes of Turkey stayed. In return for the favor to Turkey by England the British government was ceded the Island of Cyprus; and "reforms" were promised by the Turk again, which, in his mind, meant nothing else but massacres and the anni­ hilation of the Armenians, consequently that of Christ­ ianity, in the Near East.

i Preface

Gladstone, the great statesman of England, de­ nounced the Congress of Berlin—the so-called Concert of Powers—as "an insane convention." At this Congress of Berlin, Europe had to determine whether she would go forward fearlessly into the domain of human freedom, or whether she would re-establish the shaken tyrannies. She chose the latter course so far as she dared to do so. She gave back Macedonia to the Turks, and so left open the Teutonic road into Asia Minor, and thereby invoked the war just closed and made it certain. It was the source of a mountain stream that was presently to de­ vastate the cities of the valley. An honest statecraft could have averted it, but there was only cowardice, blind­ ness and self-interest. The Peace Conference now in session finds itself con­ fronted with a beaten but an impenitent Germany, the ally of the unspeakable Turk. This is the most immediate and most pressing of its problems. The German people believe themselves to have been overwhelmed by superior and aggressive forces, jealous of German virtues and of their legitimate rewards. There seems to be no con­ sciousness of guilt anywhere, nor a charge of guilt. Germ­ any shows no disposition to search her own heart, or even to admit that her conduct is open to dispute. She boasts that her army was unbeaten, and that she was forced to surrender by her internal necessities. Delay in the Peace Conference in dealing with Germany and her Allies means turmoil, uncertainty—and the Bolsheviki. In dealing with the Turkish question, however, the Peace Conference should not take the path of restoring shaken tyrannies. Prof. Moskofflan, in this book, under the title, "The Turk at His Old Game Again" skillfully points out how the wily Turk has played one Christian nation against another from almost time immemorial. At the Berlin Conference he played with England; later he played with Germany; now he is attempting to play with the United States. In dealing with the Armenian ii Preface iii question, the Peace Conference, and our own country, should insist that it be treated as a part and parcel of the German question with which it was unwillingly allied. Were not the Turks fighting under German officers? Did they not receive their inspiration from the Kaiser at Ber­ lin? While the United States was declaring war against Austria and Germany it should have also declared war against Turkey. Why it didn't, I am not in a position to state. To now dally with Turkey in the peace confer­ ence, at the expense of Armenia, in my opinion, would be dastardly. Armenia should have justice. She has won her freedom ! I most heartily endorse the work of Prof. Moskoffian, and commend his effort to shed the light of truth on the sad plight of the Armenians and the unnecessary despol­ iation of their fair and fertile land by the machinations and "conflicting interests" of a selfish and heartless di­ plomacy. C. J. THOMPSON, Congressman-elect, 5th Ohio District Defiance, Ohio, January 4, 1919. "To serve Armenia is to serve civilization/' WILLIAM EWART GLADSTONE. Independence for Armenia

i Who are the Armenians? "The Armenians are one of the oldest races in History. The earliest Biblical mention of the land occupied throughout their entire historical period is the allusion to Ararat. Later it is re­ ported that the parricidal son of Sennacherib es­ caped after his crime into the land of Armenia. Armenia furnished Tyre with horses and mules as reported by Ezekiel, and the king of Armenia was an ally of Cyrus the Great in the overthrow of the Babylonians in the 6th century B. C. In the inscriptions of the Achemenidae at Persepolis and at Behistan the name Armenia appears re­ peatedly. "Herodotus mentions the absorption of the Armenian Empire in that of Darius 514 B. C, when tribute was exacted. From that period to the present time this ancient race has figured in the history of the country centering in the high plateau from which flow the Tigres, the Euphrat­ es, the Halys and the Araxes rivers. "As a race they have a varied history. They were an ally of Rome in 67 B. C, and in 429 A. D. became again subject to Persia. Their last king­ dom was in the Taurus Mountains, in Northern

5 Independence for Armenia

Cilicia, until 1375, when Armenia lost its last vestige of separate national existence. "They were the first race or nation to adopt Christianity as a national religion, and so the Armenian Church is the oldest of all national Churches, dating back to the beginning of the fourth century. It is the Church that has held the Armenians together during the centuries of dispersion, accompanied at times by severe per­ secutions."—JAMES L. BARTON, D.D., L.L.D.

Epochs in the History of Armenia (Without mentioning the Kingdom of Urartu (Ararat) and Minni (1000?-323 B. C.) the Ar­ menian history divides itself into five epochs: I. The first epoch of the Kingdom of Ar­ menia, from 323-215 B. C. II. The dynasty of Axtaxias, from 190-1 B. C. III. The dynasty of the Arsacids, from 53- 429 A. D. IV. The dynasty of the Bagratids, from 885-1045 A. D. V. The dynasty of the Rupenians, the last dynasty founded Cilicia in 1080, ended 1375 A. D. The foundation of the Armenian kingdom dates, therefore, from the fourth century B. C. Thus the kingdom of Armenia has had, with a

6 Independence for Armenia few interregnums, more than seventeen centuries of independent existence.

After the Downfall of the Kingdom When the Armenians lost their political in­ dependence they evolved a church-government which embraced every activity of Armenian life and which finally crystalized itself into a Consti­ tution in Turkish Armenia and into Bologenia in Russian Armenia. The Catholicos, the Head of All Armenians, is elected by the vote of the people. The Turkish dominion has never been able to penetrate into the life of the nation. All at­ tempts on the part of the Turk to intrude into the sanctum sanctorum of Armenian Social, Relig­ ious, Educational, and Marital life have invari­ ably resulted in conflict.

"Nest of Eagles" Altho the kingdom fell the Armenians in their lofty mountains cherished their love of liberty and the hope and dream of regeneration. The "Eagles of Zeitoun", the "Brave men of Sassoun" and the "Meliks (princes) of Karabagh" stood firm in their mountain fastnesses and gave battle again and again to their age-long enemies, the Turks, the Persians, the Tartars and twenty other Moslem races. The "Heroic Defence of Van" and their "Successful Contest of Arms with the Turks on 7 Independence for Armenia

Mount Moses", stand as witnesses of their spirit of unsubmission and love of independence.

II Their Services to Civilization "The Armenians were the van guard of Graeco-Roman civilization in the East". M. PAUL DESCHANEL, President French Chamber of Deputies.

"Armenia has been a Christian Island in a Sea of Mohammedanism and has stemmed many a tide of barbarians in their rush toward the Christian west". WlLBER H. SEIPERT. Prof. European History, Ohio State University.

"The Armenians are of the Aryan race and of pure Caucasian blood. They have behind them a long history of heroism and martyrdom. They have an ancient civilization and a beautiful lit­ erature." ALICE STONE BLACKWELL.

Aided the Crusaders "During the crusades, especially in 1119, the Armenians rendered valuable services, both mili­ tary and material. Frederick Barbarossa and Pope Innocent III acknowledged officially the as­ sistance of the Armenians who, besides supplying

8 Independence for Armenia the Crusaders with provisions, furnished them with 30,000 brave fighters." VAHAN H. KALBNDERIAN, Professor of History, Columbia University.

National Characteristics of the Race "Physically and intellectually the Armenians are fully equal to any of the races that occupy the Near East, and to most they are decidedly super­ ior. Viscount Bryce and W. Palgrave, as well as a host of other students of the race, speak of them as finely formed, quick of intellect and per­ ception, and inclined to intellectual pursuits. They possess remarkable tact and skill in business mat­ ters and are enterprising and ambitious. They are industrious, frugal and prolific, possessing unusual recuperative powers and of a hopeful dis­ position. "Out from among the Armenians have come some of the noted leaders of the Near East, as well as men who have won distinction in many departments of activity in Europe and America such as military, administrative, literary, com­ mercial, and educational. In America, Armenians hold high positions in all of the learned profes­ sions, and rank among the first scholars in our universities and colleges. In their own country they are primarily cultivators of the soil, artis­ ans, merchants, educators, professional men and bankers. They are conspicuously peaceful, do-

9 Independence for Armenia

mestic in their tastes, proud of their name and history, and peculiarly devoted to their father­ land." —JAMES L. BARTON, D.D. L.L.D.

i)R. ANDREW D. WHITE, late President of Cornell University, says: "The Armenian is one of the finest races in the world, physically, morally and intellectually. If I were asked to name the most desirable races to be added by immigration to the American pop­ ulation I would name among the very first the Armenian." "Of all those who dwell in Western Asia they stand first."—JAMES BRYCE. "There is the need of a race which can civil­ ize and organize these neglected countries (in Turkey) and the only Christian race in the East which can be depended on is the Armenian race." —JAMES BRYCE.

"Admirable Soldiers" "The Armenians have produced admirable soldiers, such as Lazareff, Der-Ghougasoff and Loris Melikoff. The last was born in Armenia in the last century and entered the Russian army. Russia has produced no man in a hundred years that surpassed him as a soldier or a statesman. He commanded the army in which Lazareff served when the Turks were beaten in 1878, and his tal­ ents as a soldier made him a lieutenant-general.

10 Independence for Armenia

"He was as great in civil as in military life. Governor General of six provinces, he established the trial by jury. As Minister of the Interior of Russia he began the advocacy of the taxation of inheritances and legislation for factory workers, which culminated in their formulation into laws. "He was a great progressive statesman and a friend of the poor and oppressed, and finally he became, 37 years ago, the next man to the Czar and practically dictator of the empire."—HON. EDWARD C. LITTLE, in the House of Representa­ tives, Feb. 7, 1918.

Armenians as Emperors on the Byzantine Throne "A thousand years ago and more, Armenians were sitting on the throne of the empire of the eastern world at Constantinople and ruling with success and dictinction. "They have been as distinguished in art and literature as in war and statecraft." —EDWARD C. LITTLE.

General Allenby to the Armenians "I am proud of having under my command an Armenian legion which fought brilliantly and had a great share in our victory."

11 Independence for Armenia

III The Ways Armenians Aided the Allied Victory in the Near East 1. "By refusing in the autumn of 1914 the Turkish offer of the concession of Armenian au­ tonomy, in return for Armenian co-operation. 2. The suffering endured by them in con­ sequence of their refusal, including the assasina- tion of 700,000 persons. 3. The fact that, owing to the Armenian re­ fusal, the Entente had at least 100,000 fewer ene­ mies to face in the Turkish army. 4. Insurrections carried out in various parts of Armenia, thus keeping considerable forces employed. 5. The formation, at their own expense in spite of the needs of the refugees, of a national army of 30,000 volunteers who, together with the 150,000 Armenian regulars in the Russian Army, co-operated in the Russian operations against Turkey. 6. The foundation of a corps of 900 volun­ teers in France of whom a few remnants are left and most of these are decorated for distinguished valor. 7. The heroic defense of the Caucasian front against the Turko-Germans after the Rus­ sian defection. 8. The sending to Palestine of an Armenian volunteer legion of 8,000 men which fought bril-

12 Independence for Armenia liantly with the Anglo-Italian-Franco forces." —THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR.

Isolated but Undaunted Thus in spite of their being tragically isolated from the rest of the Allies, approximately 200,000 Armenians were battling on the side of democracy, rights of nations and civilization against despot­ ism, arrogance of might and barbarism.

Armenians Honorably Discharge their Trust "The Armenians have rendered in Asia much the same service as the Belgians in western Eu­ rope and the Serbs in Eastern Europe. Each of these nationalities is the keeper of a bridge—the Belgians between Germany and the Lowlands of French Flanders, the Serbs between the Central Powers and the Balkans which led to their ambi­ tions in Turkey, the Armenians between Turkey and the rest of Mohammedan Asia. "Much has been said and written about the strategic importance of the Bagdad Railroad to Persia, but the Armenians in the Caucasus be­ tween the Black Sea and the Caspian hold the master key. Through this country lie the ap­ proaches to Persia which turn the British in Meso­ potamia to Turkestan and Mohammedan Cent­ ral Asia. Honorably have the Armenians dis­ charged their trust. They might have made

13 Independence for Armenia their terms with the Turks and remained neutral ; instead they joined with the Russians and gave them invaluable assistance when they first in­ vaded the country. For this service, when the Russians fell back, the Turks repaid them with the most frightful massacre even in their bloody history." —H. SIDEBOTHAM, The New Republic.

Recognition of their Services to the Allied Cause Lord Robert Cecil, Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of Great Britain, mentions the following points as the basis of the Armen­ ians' right to liberation at the hands of the Allies : 1. "In the autumn of 1914 the National Congress of the Ottoman Armenians, then sitting at Erzerum, was offered autonomy by the Turk­ ish emissaries if it would actively assist Turkey in the war, but it replied that while they would do their duty individually as Ottoman subjects, they could not, as a nation, work for the cause of Turkey and her allies. 2. "Following this courageous refusal, the Ottoman Armenians were systematically mur­ dered by the Turkish Government, in 1915 more than 700,000 people, two-thirds of the population, being exterminated by the most coldblooded and fiendish methods.

14 Independence for Armenia

3. "From the beginning of the war, that half of the Armenian nation under Russian sov­ ereignty organized volunteer forces and, under their heroic leader General Andranik, bore the brunt of some of the heaviest fighting in the Cau­ casian campaign. 4. "After the Russian Army's breakdown at the end of 1917, these Armenian forces took over the Caucasian front and for five months delayed the Turk's advance, thus rendering important ser­ vice to the British Army in Mesopotamia."

Lord Robert concludes, adding: "Armenian soldiers are still fighting in the ranks of the Allied forces in Syria. They are to be found serving alike in the British, the French and the American Armies, and have borne their part in General Allenby's great victory in Pales­ tine. Need I say, after this, that the policy of the Allies towards Armenia remains unaltered? I am quite ready to reaffirm our determination that wrongs such as Armenia has suffered shall be brought to an end and their recurrence made impossible." —THE NEW ARMENIA.

Premier Clemenceau and Armenia "The spirit of self-sacrifice in the Armenians and their loyality to the Allies, in the foreign leg­ ion, on the Caucasian front and the eastern the­ atre of the war, have drawn closer the links which

15 Independence for Armenia attach them to France. I am happy to assure you that the government of this Republic, like that of the United Kingdom, has not ceased to in­ clude the Armenian nation among the peoples whose fate the allies count on determining accord­ ing to the supreme laws of humanity and justice." —PREMIER GEORGES CLEMENCEAU to the Ar­ menian Delegation at Paris.

IV What Ambassador Morgenthau says— After speaking of the liberation of Ruman­ ians, Greeks, Serbians and Bulgarians from the yoke of the Turks— "There still remained one compact race in the Ottoman Empire that had national aspirations and national potentialities. In the north-eastern part of Asia Minor, bordering on Russia, there were six provinces in which the Armenians formed the largest element in the population. From the time of Herodotus this portion of Asia has borne the name of Armenia. The Armenians of the present day are the direct descendants of the people who inhabited the country three thou­ sand years ago. Their origin is so ancient that it is lost in fable and mystery. There are still un- deciphered cuneiform inscriptions on the rocky hills of Van, the largest Armenian city, that have 16 Independence for Armenia led certain scholars—tho not many, I must admit —to identify the Armenian race with the Hittites of the Bible. "What is definitely known about the Armen­ ians, however, is that for ages they have consti­ tuted the most civilized and most industrious race in the eastern section of the Ottoman Empire. From their mountains they have spread over the Sultan's dominions, and form a considerable ele­ ment in the population of all the large cities. Everywhere they are known for their industry, their intelligence, and their decent and orderly lives. They are so superior to the Turks intel­ lectually and morally that much of the business and industry has passed into their hands. With the Greeks, the Armenians constitute the econo­ mic strength of the empire. The Armenians be­ came Christians in the fourth century and estab­ lished the Armenian Church as their state relig­ ion. This is said to be the oldest Christian Church in existence. "In face of persecutions which have had no parallel elsewhere these people have clung to their early Christian faith with the utmost tenacity. For fifteen hundred years they have lived there in Armenia, a little island of Christians sur­ rounded by backward peoples of hostile religion and hostile race. Their long existence has been one unending martyrdom. "The territory which they inhabit forms the connecting link between Europe and Asia, and all 17 Independence for Armenia the Asiatic invasions—Saracens, Tartars, Mon­ gols, Kurds, and Turks—have passed over their peaceful country. For centuries they have thus been the Belgium of the East. Through all this period the Armenians have regarded themselves not as Asiatics, but as Europeans. They speak an Indo-European language, their racial origin is believed by scholars to be Aryan, and the fact that their religion is the religion of Europe has always made them turn their eyes westward. "Out of that western country, they have al­ ways hoped, would some day come the deliverance that would rescue them from their murderous masters. And now, as Abdul Hamid, in 1876, surveyed his shattered domain, he saw that its most dangerous spot was Armenia. He believed, rightly or wrongly, that these Armenians, like the Rumanians, the Bulgarians, the Greeks, and the Serbians, aspired to restore their independent medieval nation, and he knew that Europe and America sympathized with this ambition. "The Treaty of Berlin, which had definitely ended the Turco-Russian War, contained an ar­ ticle which gave the European Powers a protect­ ing hand over the Armenians. How could the Sultan free himself permanently from this dan­ ger? An enlightened administation, which would have transformed the Armenians into free men and made them safe in their lives and property and civil and religious rights, would probably have made them peaceful and loyal subjects. But 18 Independence for Armenia the Sultan could not rise to such a conception of statesmanship as this. Instead, Abdul Hamid apparently thought that there was only one way of ridding Turkey of the Armenian problem— and that was to rid her of the Armenians. The physical destruction of 2,000,000 men, women and children by massacres, organized and directed by the state, seemed to be one sure way of forestall­ ing the further disruption of the Turkish Empire."

War Unsuccessful without Freedom and Independence of Armenia "Unless Armenia be freed as a result of the world conflict, the efforts of the civilized powers of the earth will fall just short of attaining their ends in this drive for humanity. In other words none of us could declare the war entirely successful if the strong arm of the Allied forces did not break from off the neck of that suffering nation the cruel yoke of the unspeakable Turk. "Among the nations of the earth who have assisted in the charity work among the Armeni­ ans the United States has ever been prominent. "Our men of wealth and our welfare workers, our educators and our public speakers, have taken their stand in behalf of that oppressed nation. They look to the Powers who will have a voice in making the final terms of the world's peace to ob­ tain guard over the brave people of Armenia and

19 Independence for Armenia give them a chance, as well as other liberated nations to once more breathe the air of freedom." —THE NEW YORK SUN.

Armenia's Wish Expressed "Armenia does not wish to die. She wishes to become great, powerful and respected. She desires, at last, to take her place, which has been so dearly bought, among civilized peoples." GENERAL TORCOM, Head of the Armenian Military Mission.

V The Armistice Terms did not Save the Armenians While the evacuation of Belgium, Serbia, Alsace-Lorraine and Italia Irredenta was de­ manded from the enemy and carried into effect, Armenia was left again in the hands of her exe­ cutioners. Armenia as an ally certainly deserved higher consideration than this. We do not know what will happen between the time of the signing of the Armistice and the final sitting of the Peace Conference, but we do know that the fate of the Christians in a defeated Turkey will be worse than before the war.

20 Independence for Armeviia

The Wolf to Shepherd the Sheep. The Manchester Guardian (England) says: "The Armistice with Turkey has been concluded on terms discreditable to us and perilous for a tortured population whose protection ought to have been our first care. Turkey was as com­ pletely at our mercy as Bulgaria, and there was infinitely more reason for putting her under com­ plete control. Instead she has been permitted to retain her full military and political authority over the six Armenian provinces whose popula­ tion she has outraged and murdered on a scale and with a barbarity unexampled in history. It is true that one clause of agreement provides that "in case of disorder" in the Armenian vilayets "the Allies reserve to themselves the right to oc­ cupy any part of them." That is surely a rather grim jest. Thus we recognize the Turk as the guardian of "order" over the people he has done his best to exterminate. But for the Armenian people, the remnant of them, this is no matter for jest. How are the refugees from the mountains to dare to return to their devastated homes before the approach of winter? How are those who have fled beyond the border to escape their tor­ mentors to place themselves once more within their power? And what is our price for this be­ trayal ? "The passage of the Bosphorous and the re­ lease of our prisoners may have been anticipated

21 Independence for Armenia by a few days, but even that is doubtful, for with a pistol at her head Turkey could have been forced to an instant surrender of both. And as the price of this paltry gain, if it be a gain, we have virtu­ ally condoned her unutterable villainies and have treated her with a favor denied to incomparably less guilty foes. Something must be done, and done at once, to set the matter right. The best thing would be to occupy the whole of the six provinces in order to assist the Turks in the main­ tenance of "order" and to see that iris not a Turk­ ish order. In any case we cannot leave the Turk in uncontrolled possession. A complete system of supervision, with provision for repatriation under guarantee of what is left of the disposses­ sed population, is essential. America would be quick to assist, and the assistance of the American Missionaries will be essential. Some dire discov­ eries will be made. Is it desired that the evidence of all that has gone on in these last terrible years should be covered up?"

The Turk at his Old Game Again The Turk has an old, well known and success­ ful game which he plays whenever he sees that there is a danger to him which he cannot repel by force of arms. He arrays the Christian pow­ ers against one another by giving to one of them an opportunity (seemingly advantagous and hon­ orable) while depriving others, and thus arousing jealousies between these powers. 22 Independence for Armenia

This time the Turk is going to meet Presi­ dent Wilson, according to cable dispatches to The Christian Science Monitor, with a "scheme of re­ forms". So he wants "American advisors in all the departments of the government, even being willing to give the ministry of Education to an American." During the last two centuries the Turks have had Italian, Austrian, French, Eng­ lish and German advisors to assist them in their "schemes of reform" and now they want American advisors to complete their "reforms" in Turkey.

An Enemy of Civilization and Home The Turk has not contributed a single thing to the World's Civilization. During his five hun­ dred years of domination over one of the fairest lands of the world, he has laid waste many a city and town of beautiful aspects, destroyed churches and monasteries of admirable architecture and venerable age, and lately in the interior of the country has converted the American schools and colleges into barracks. The writer has travelled through the Ottoman Empire several times and has found not a city or town which was built by the Turks. The purely Turkish villages are worse than hovels. The cities in Asia-Minor bear either Greek, Armenian, Ancient Lydian or Phry­ gian names, and these are left few and far be­ tween. The traveler may be struck with awe when he finds that the cruel and savage hand of 23 Independence for Armenia the Turk has not even left trees to break the aw­ ful silence of desolation which he has spread over this fair and fertile land once throbbing with hu­ man life and activity. The Turk is the greatest enemy of home life. Polygamy is part of his religion. Women are slaves in his harems. This very Turk has de­ stroyed during the war more than 2,000,000 Christian, contented and happy homes, by separat­ ing the members of the family, by killing the able bodied men, by carrying women into harems, by dashing babes and helpless children onto the rocks, and by leaving the aged on the roadside to perish by exposure and hunger. The Turk has no place in the sacred shrine of Christian civiliza­ tion and Armenia has been a veritable temple of Christian civilization in the desert of a Moham­ medan world.

The Only Answer The only answer that America and the Allies could give to the Turk would be: "MENE, MENE; TEKEL U-PHARSIN" Mené : God hath numbered thy kingdom and finished it. Tekel : Thou art weighed in the balance, and found wanting. Peres: Thy kingdom is divided and given to those who are worthy of the kingdom.

24 Independence for Armenia

VI "A Center of Light and Learning" "The spirit of the Armenian nation is un­ quenchable, and there will be no peace, nor does the world deserve the blessings of peace, till the only reparation which is now possible shall be made to her. Armenia's friends claim that the only fair adjustment will guarantee to her people forever the land which from time immemorial has been drenched with the blood of her martyred sons and daughters and which has been for so long the birth and also the burial of her hopes. This land comprises the six vilayets of Turkish Armenia, with the province of Cilicia and the ports of Mersina and Alexandretta, Russian Ar­ menia, and the northern part of the province of Azerbijan. Given the chance to develop peace­ fully on their own soil, Armenians would soon make such a United States of Armenia, a centre of light and learning. From her school and col­ leges civilization would spread throughout the East while the neighboring states would probably in time wish to be assimilated into such a Union. From her there would be no aggressive policy to fear ; all her interests would be to ensure peace." —Miss EMILY J. ROBINSON, Honorary Secretary, Armenian Red Cross, London.

25 Independence for Armenia

America Armenia's Protector "Since the United States, through the fortun­ ate chance of having chosen as President in this hour of fate a scholarly statesman, is to have a potent voice in the Peace, it might be said that the automatic action of America's foundation principle, "the consent of the governed", must set Armenia free and on her feet, at least, under our protection." —EDWARD H. CLEMENT.

Thus to every true American to whom the principles for which America fought are sacred, comes the call to urge the President and Congress to take the following steps immediately: 1. To demand from Turkey the immediate evacuation of Armenia. 2. To occupy the country by the help of Armeno-American and Allied soldiers and to set up a provisional government thus to facilitate the return of the deported Armenians if possible be­ fore time for planting of the grain.

VII America's Part in the Regeneration of Armenia America has had a wonderful part in the re­ generation of Armenia. Through the American

26 Independence for Armenia 27

Missionaries the Armenians received with an open mind the essentials of American civilization. This civilization in its widest and deepest sense is the true Americanism. The Armenians supported the American Mis­ sionaries in the Near East both materially and morally. They received these pioneers of a new conception of the world and of Christ into their confidence and into their hearts, and hailed them as their intellectual and spiritual liberators, wait­ ing for the opportune moment when they would become their political liberators also. Their very presence was a hope, a confidence, a protection, a helpfulness, an inspiration, a sympathy and a guide in their struggle upward and onward. "By far the largest number of students of any race in the schools in Turkey are Armenians. They constitute as large a proportion of the pup­ ils of Robert College as that of any race." says Dr. Barton. Nine-tenths of the teachers and pro­ fessors in these institutions were Armenians edu­ cated either in America or Europe. Armenia in the Souls of Men

I {From the Armenian of Khorene Nar-Bey.)

If a sceptre of diamond, a glittering crown, Were mine, at thy feet I would lay them both down, Queen of queens, 0 Armenia ! If a mantle of purple were given to me, A mantle for kings, I would wrap it round thee, Poor Armenia, my mother! If the fire of my youth and its sinews of steel Could return, I would offer its rapture and zeal All to thee, my Armenia ! Had a lifetime of ages been granted to me, I had given it gladly and freely to thee, O my life, my Armenia! Were I offered the love of a maid lily-fair, I would choose thee alone for my joy and my care, My one love, my Armenia! Were I given a crown of rich pearls, I would prize, Far more than their beauty, one tear from thine eyes, O my weeping Armenia! 28 Independence for Armenia

If freedom unbounded were proffered to me, I would choose still to share thy sublime slavery, 0 my mother, Armenia !

Were I offered proud Europe, to take or refuse, Thee alone, with thy griefs on thy head, would I choose For my country, Armenia! Might I choose from the world where my dwelling should be, I would say, still thy ruins are Eden to me, My beloved Armenia! Were I given a seraph's celestial lyre, I would sing with my soul, to its chords of pure fire, Thy dear name, my Armenia!

II (From the French of Emile Pignot.) It will remain for me one of the greatest hon­ ors of my life to have dedicated my pen and my voice, or more exactly, all my soul to the service of the Armenian cause—the highest, the holiest, the noblest, and the most humanitarian in history. My first acquaintance with the Armenians dates from the day when I was asked to deliver an address, conjointly with my eminent colleague,

29 Independence for Armenia

General Malletre, for the purpose of rendering homage, in the name of France, to the valliant legion of Armenian volunteers. Since then, I have indeed known the Armen­ ian spirit, and consequently, having truly known Armenia, I have loved her. Why do I love Armenia? Because she is a justification of Freedom—one of the expressions of human dignity. Armenian women and Armenian men have stood proudly and bravely erect in the armor of their inviolate soul'. They have attained the height of the sublime attachment to an ideal. They and their leaders have fallen in order that from their closed eyes might shine more clearly, more luminously, and more imperishably, the light of their national genius. Ah! the lesson Armenia has taught the world is magnificent and majestic. The torch their bleeding hands have carried upon the summit of human thought has never, no never, been extinguished by the blood and tears of their agony. The brave attitude of the Armenians denotes not only a national attachment jealously pre­ served, but something nobler. It signifies the greatness of the human soul. An entire people, bruised by the heaviest chains, lacerated by the most oppressive yoke, stands unbowed in the face of all sufferings, of all tyrannies, of all betrayal, of all infamies, erect upon all the Golgothas of torture, and proclaims 30 Independence for Armenia 31 to the world the invincibility of its soul. This little martyred people, great in its sorrow, and noble in its indomitable spirit, remains for all Humanity an example of fortitude, a living ex­ ample of the unquenchable light above all the tombs, and of Liberty radiant above all tyranny. Enveloping themselves in the power of Free­ dom, the Armenians have remained stronger than suffering, yea, even than death ! PARIS, FRANCE.

ARMENIA (AREA 133,289 SQUARE MILES) The bounderies of Armenia are as well defined and fixed as those of England. The Congress of Berlin (1878), the Ambassadors of the Great Powers at Constantinople (1896), and the Ambassadorial Conference at London (1913), reaffirmed, in part, or in whole, the bounderies of the Turkish Armenia. Out of a total population of 4.000,000 to 4,500,000 that there may be within the bounderies of the restored Armenia, over 3,000,000 will be Armenian.

What a Great American Savs: "I believe Armenians should be given their independence within the boundaries of their historic kingdom» including Rus­ sian and Turkish Armenia and Cilicia. This land belongs to Armenians by right of occupancy for centuries and they now con­ stitute the only people there morally and intellectually capable of self-government and with capacity to develop to the full the resources of the country. I am convinced that the United States or England should be ready to render New Armenia whatever aid she may require to organize a Govern­ ment and put it in a permanent form," JAMES L. BARTON, D.D., LL.D., Secretary,, American Board of Commis- sioners for Foreign Missions; Chairman, American Committee for Relief in the Near East.