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THE GREAT ADANA MASSACRE 351
ported by many, and intended to involve the whole
race ; that it had, in fact, got beyond the control both
of those who desired to go more slowly, and those
who disapproved of it altogether.
There were economic influences, too, which helped
to exasperate the Moslem population. For example,
much of the Cilician plain had gradually passed into
Armenian hands ; the business too ; and while Armenians
multiplied and grew visibly richer, Moslems
diminished and became visibly poorer. Many Turks
also were in the power of Armenian usurers, who
are not noted for leniency. During the massacres of
Abdul Hamid none had taken place in Cilicia, a fact
continually thrown in the face of Cilician Moslems by
those of more fanatical vilayets. Cilician Moslems
had to endure the censure and jibes of their fellows
from districts which had killed Armenians as a good
work ; in Cilicia, it was said, implying the extremest
reversal of position, Moslems were accounted dogs.
And then came the killing of two Moslems and
beating of others by Armenians at Adana.
The great massacre began in Adana Bazaar the
next day, and thenceforward was carried on in a
spirit of ruthless determination. At first it took
the course of street fighting, in which Armenians
inflicted heavy losses on their enemies ; but presently
resistance broke down and sheer killing succeeded.
A pause followed when troops were brought from
Salonika ; but these, alleging that their camp had
been fired on by Armenians, took the Moslem side,
and then massacre broke out afresh, and went from
bad to worse in days of blood and frenzy before it
ceased. Meanwhile the example swept over the
whole of Cilicia like a madness ; and though the
dead at Adana numbered thousands, the victims
in country districts were more numerous by far.
No massacre of Abdul Hamid's reign equalled this,
which many firmly believe was organised by the
Moslem Jews of Salonika.
After having seen the Moslem mood for killing