Page:Armenian poems, rendered into English verse (IA armenianpoemsren00blaciala).pdf/15

 species of antelope, with a pouch on its breast secreting a fragrant musk, is supposed to have acquired this peculiarity by browsing on grass wet with the same blood. It is also believed that at Avarair the nightingales all sing, "Vartan, Vartan!"

The Armenians, according to their own histories and traditions, enjoyed four periods of national independence, under four different dynasties, extending over about 3,000 years. The ruins of Ani and other great cities still testify to their former power and splendor. It is now many centuries, however, since they lost their political independence; and their country has been little more than a battle-ground for rival invaders. Armenia, an Asiatic Poland, was long ago divided between Russia, Persia and Turkey.

By Article 61 of the Treaty of Berlin, in 1878, the Armenians in Turkey were placed under the protection of the European powers; but the jealousy of the powers among themselves has prevented any effective protection from being given. There were frightful massacres of the Armenians in 1894–96 by order of the Sultan Abdul Hamid. In 1908, the Armenians, in common with the other subject nationalities in Turkey, enjoyed a brief time of sunshine when constitutional government was proclaimed; but the old oppressions soon began again, and they culminated in the unparalleled cruelties of 1915–16. It is not necessary here to go into the harrowing details; they have been spread broadcast in the press.

The excuse put forward by the Turks—the claim that there was a dangerous Armenian revolution impending—was a mere pretext. Turkish oppression