The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-18
RELIEF IN ARMENIA.

| An American who has visited Amasia,
Eastern Turkey, where he was brought
into contact with some phases OF the
great dominant question of the day, I'm a
region concerning which but little has
been published, comments on the situa-
tion In a recent letter as follows:
"One of the most severely-yisited places
in this region is lille. II was slow work
at first getting into communication with
friends. bu. at length we received the de-
tailed account OF the fearful events there
and soon sent them sum OF money ny
mail. 1t is two or at least three days
journey, but it took our money just 20
DAYS to reach them. However, 1t did
reach them at last, and its arrival was
very timely. Later IL was decided to
visit the district 20 ascertain the exact
conditions existing there. On reaching
Amasia we came across some rather Curl
ous developments of prejudice and timid-
ity. The natural avidity with which any
available money Is seized upon seemed
to have given place to a crushing fear OF
some evil consequence which might follow
receiving aid from outsiders. And there
appeared to be at least three not very un-
| reasonable grounds for such fear.
I'm the hrst place. any show OF aid
coming from outside would be likely to
cause the Immediate cutting of OF the
daily rations Of bread which were being
| given out by the government. Secondly,
experience led thera to be believe that II
tax collectors should get hold OF the fact
OF any OF them having in hand any
sums OF money, they would Immediately
pounce upon them for payment of back
taxes, which are chron icaIly..overdue.
And thirdly, II the rabble that cleaned
them ont aud left them absolutely moth
Ing between them and the ground
should known of their possessing any
thing again, 1t might set them up to the
idea OF getting that away from them,
too. An additional risk TO the persons
who had the duty OF distributing the
money Is the suspi ion which immedi-
ately fastens upon them ~ having and
uisbursing COMMITTED funds, that Is
funds raised I'm secret for revolutionary
purposes. This alone has made it very
difficult In some places to get suitable
persons TO distribute the relief. This Is
not mere Imagination for we know actual
cases where men have Deen imprisoned
on that charge while distributing these
very relief funds. These difficulties have
impeded but have not prevented relief
and the suffering people have most touch
1ngly expressed their gratitude for the
gifts, and for the cautious way in which
they have been sent.
learned OF the condition OF the people
there, and we interviewed our friend
Bekir Pasha, the Mutessarif (Governor),
of Amasia, for permission to visit lille.
lie received us with great courtesy, as
sented to our plan, and promised to fur
Hish us with a guard, ETC., but he ad-
vised US not to go, explaining that while
we had nothing to fear personally for
ourselves, he feared lest some distur-
bance might occur and be associated with
our visit, TO the prejudice of our good
name and Of those whom ws wished to
benefit. AS the call for our visit was
not Imperative, this advice decided Us
TO give up the trip aud we proceeded 10
make arrangements for the weekly
transmission TO that place OF a supply OF
clothing. bedding, shoes. etc., besides
limited sums of money for the purchase
OF coal and wood for the suffering.
fortunately we secured the services OF
able and reliable men there who wisely
and impartially distribute whatever we
send. I'm the process of manufacturing
and preparing the needed articles TO send
we were able 10 give employment to some
persons in Amasia who had been left on
the verge of starvation by these same
disasters, and thus help them to help
themselves. While in Amasia we heard
the praises OF Bekir Pasba sung on every
hand. He is considered the one man who
saved Amasia from untold horrors. More
over, the town of Amasia has the name
OF being the safest place in this region,
and TO 1t have fIocked many families
from lille and from Vezir Keupru. AS
many families, perhaps, had fled from the
latter place to Marsovan, and es many
more to SAMSON, leaving probably less
than half OF the surviving Armenian fam
lilies in Vezir Veupru, ard those for the
most part are SO poor they could not get
away. At the same time number OF
fro lin
away TO SAMSON ana elsewhere. / may
add here that this inclination to escape
from anticipated evils has affected Marso-
van also quite considerably. IL began
some weeks ago among certain Young
men who were under suspicion of being
connected with revolution, but they were
followed by Others, and now several most
prominent men have found it necessary
TO visit other parts. IL would seem that
the government has thought best 10 wink
at this, else they could not get away so
easily. Where they all go, and what they
are going to settle down to, / don't
know.
This informing communication indicates
anew how difficult Is the distribution Of
relief funds in terrorized Armenia, not
only for those who engage In the distri-
button, but for the penehciaries them
selves, whose lives are threatened by the
mob il anything is done to save them
from starving to death.
.."WHo pays with honor borrows with
ease" This, from the Maine Republican