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Show THE ONE GLEAM OF HOPE. Colonel Valentine Baker, now dignified as Baker Pacha, has been making a nine months' tour of investigation through Asia Minor, to learn what conditions of things has obtained there under the protectorate which was paraded as one of the chief concessions made by the Porte to Lords Beaconsfield and Salisbury in their famous "peace with honor" Berlin Treaty. The report now presented from actual observation is anything but pleasant. Baker Pacha concludes that if the people of Asia Minor were not the most sober, patient and long-suffering in the world, the Sultan's misrule would long ago have been renounced. He found the courts infamously corrupt, not one competent or honest governor anywhere; and the thievish Kurds plundered before his very eyes the grain-boats destined for the famine-stricken -people. Deep despair everywhere, with just one gleam of light and hope. And this is owing to the so-called English protectorate? No, but - to the lasting glory of their cause and themselves be it said - to the noble and disinterested activity of American missionaries, chiefly in the districts of the Armenians, a peculiarly interesting and religious people. Baker Pacha at once recognized the philanthropic work of these missionaries, few in numbers and with so inadequate means to carry out their purposes, and in his report has given them merited honor, though that honor is a still further reflection upon his own countrymen and the Beaconsfield policy. For the missionary schools and the effects of the Protestant work upon the people he has only admiration, and eloquently expressed it. The report is one which ought to receive wide attention and incite generous action on the part of the English Parliament. To profess to protect the oppressed populations of Asia Minor, while in fact allowing them to be robbed, murdered and starved without possible opportunity for self-protection or preservation, is an incredible disgrace for a Christian nation in this nineteenth century to willingly bear or unwillingly permit. And the condition of Asia Minor under Turkish tyranny is another powerful reason why the Turk should cease to rule, not only in Europe, but anywhere - N. Y. (New York) Examiner. |