JOTTINGS FROM TURKEY by H. F. H.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 28, 1895

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 21, No. 47.

JOTTINGS FROM TURKEY.

By H. F. H.

THE Eastern Question is like the doctrine of the Trinity.—hard to settle. But the Armenians are evidently determined that so far as it concerns them it shall be settled soon. Since my last writing, times have been lively in Constantinople. The government has made vigorous efforts to preserve the peace; but it has a tremendous task on its hands; for when religious fanaticism once becomes inflamed, it is not easily quenched. This is not attributable to Mohammedanism alone, but is just as true of false Christianity. Constantinople itself has witnessed far worse riots and bloodshed than recently occurred, when the contending Christian sects argued the Trinity question on its streets and in its churches with sticks and stones and daggers.

It may be truly said to the credit of the Ottoman Government that under it Christians have enjoyed greater freedom than dissenting Christians enjoyed under the so-called Christian government of Rome when the Papacy had its way. Under Papal Rome people were hunted down and massacred because they were Christians; this is not true of the recent massacre in Constantinople; we may more correctly assert that the people were killed because they were not Christians. Had they been true Christians, obedience to God's word would have led them to respect the Turkish Government, although it might be as oppressive as Pagan Rome. Had the Armenians borne the Turkish yoke with Christian humility and forbearance, leaving to the Lord all vengeance for wrongs suffered, instead of seeking vengeance through the powers of Europe they would have enjoyed much greater freedom than it is possible to hope for now.

The Armenian troubles have not arisen because this people profess Christianity instead of Mohammedanism. Were they professed pagans, their condition would be the same; for it is national liberty that they aim at, and nothing short of this will satisfy them. They have used the fact of their professed Christianity to enlist the sympathy of Europe and America. Were they professedly Mohammedan and suffered precisely the same in their efforts to gain liberty, the powers of Europe would have paid little more attention to them than they at present pay to the struggling Cubans.

It is true that the powers of Europe covet the territory of Turkey, and this doubtless figures prominently in their motives for action; but they act professedly out of sympathy for their persecuted brethren. So on both sides Christianity is used as a cloak to cover up the real motives; and on both sides, the course taken is no more help to the cause of Christianity than is hypocrisy.

Were freedom from the Turkish yoke the only object desired by Armenia, she might have gained this by appealing to Russia; but this step has not been taken, because the Armenians would have less hope for national freedom under Russia than under Turkey. The reforms urged by England, if carried out, will not be accepted as final by the Armenians; they will be regarded only as one step towards their long-cherished goal,—national independence. The Armenians will continue to agitate and foment difficulty till their ultimate object is attained. They know the weakness of the Turkish Government, and as they see it being dismembered, they are impatient for their turn. The fact that Greece and Bulgaria enjoy national independence greatly inspires the Armenians in their cause.

The despatches which have appeared concerning the recent outbreak in Constantinople have in the main been true to the facts. Unless the powers of Europe exercise a strong influence, amounting almost to absolute control of Turkey, the condition of the Armenians will be worse than before. The Turks are thoroughly convinced that, while professedly Christian, the Armenian question is not religious, but purely political, that the leaders are unbelievers in Christianity, and that the movement is of the nature of socialism in Europe. They also believe that the powers are deceived as to the true issue; hence it is so difficult for the Turks to yield to Europe's demands. Turkey is certainly in a very humiliating position. With this dictation of the powers, which she regards as so unjust, with the discontent in Crete, the difficulties in Macedonia, and the deep-seated trouble with the Armenians, she has more than her debilitated energies can successfully manage. What the outcome of all will be depends on what the Lord permits, and not on what man may determine. Until the Lord's work is finished in the earth, he exercises a controlling influence over the nations.

The day on which I left Constantinople, it was reported that the sultan had signed the proposition of the powers, but as this has several times before been falsely reported, no one knew whether to believe it or not. Yet from general appearances it might be concluded that he had; but this does not settle the question. H. F. H.