Page:Islam, Turkey, and Armenia, and How They Happened.djvu/100

94 of Armenia proper was in this condition, other Armenians in Lower Armenia and Cilicia were subjected both to the central government and local Turkish beys or agas, every one of whom was a king in his own circle and dealt with their rayas (subjects) as a rule very unjustly and, in many cases, very unwisely for themselves. None of these local governors had any project for the future welfare of the country. Every one acted as if the end of the world was at hand; their motto was, "Impoverish the people in order to enrich yourself." If they had any activity other than robbing and degrading their rayas it was in the line of quarreling with rival chiefs at any expense of life and property. At any moment the aga of the next town could be expected to come with his "segmen" (horsemen) and open a dispute with the chief of this town, shed blood, burn a part of the town, carry away the herds and flocks, spoil the crops and do every harm imaginable. Whether defeat or victory, the people always lost, and the greatest sufferers were the Armenians. The Kurdish or Turkish bey would send word to certain Armenian individuals or community, demanding so much money or provisions, the denial of which would always cost life, honor and property. Very often they would capture the sacred utensils of the church as a security for the payment of the demanded sum; or would take the abbot of the convent a prisoner and torture and disgrace him until the ransom was sent. When Christmas or Easter approached the chief of the town would send for the key of the