horrible a nature, that Mr. Gladstone, Armenia's truest friend, in addressing the Anglo-Armenian deputation at Hawarden on the anniversary of his eighty-fifth birthday, 29th December 1894, gave expression to the following memorable words : —
"Now, it is certainly true that we have not arrived at the close of this inquiry, and I will say nothing to assume that the allegations will be verified. At the same time, I cannot pretend to say that there is no reason to anticipate an unfavorable issue. On the contrary, the intelligence which has reached me tends to a conclusion which I still hope may not be verified, but tends strongly to a conclusion to the general effect that the outrages and the scenes and abominations of 1876 in Bulgaria have been repeated in 1894 in Armenia. As I have said, I hope it is not so, and I will hope to the last, but if it is so, it is time that one general shout of execration, not of men, but of deeds, one general shout of execration directed against deeds of wickedness, should rise from outraged humanity, and should force itself into the ears of the Sultan of Turkey and make him sensible, if any- thing can make him sensible, of the madness of such a course."
Universal sympathy was felt for the helpless Armenians under Turkish misrule, for their lives, honour, and property were daily at the fiendish mercy of their oppressors, the Kurds and the Turks. Mass meetings were accordingly convened throughout Europe, eloquent speeches delivered, the usual number of resolutions passed, and the Great Powers were petitioned. Not
