The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-05-09
THE MISERY IN ARMENIA.
A Statement of the Condition of Az
fairs by Clara Barton.

Constantinople, April 1.-Miss Clara
Barton has drawn up the following state
ment regarding the progress of her relief
work in Asia Minor: 'Tt Should be under
stood that one object OF our expeditions in
the field at this time is the helping OF the
people 10 cultivate their land and get
crops on II. that they may suhsist IN
the near future and through the winter
or Their condition OF hunger and threat
ened starvation VIII be as great as now.
To this end our two expeditions have been
for several weeks purchasing in the cities
the farming implements in general use
by the people and carrying them 70 the
villages and farm lands OF the country.
where all the implements have been either
destroyed or taken 1t Is understood that
the government has expressed a desire
10 take part In providing seed for plant
ing. Indian corn Is one article distributed
for food by our people. and 1t can be
two expeditions are en- route for khar-
pcot by different ways. providing the
farmers as they go. Money for this pur-
pcse Is being freely sent here
Another object. and perhaps the one
appealing more directly to the sympa-
thies OF the people. is fhe handling OF tho
medical relief OF the two fever stricken
cities Of Ze.toun and Marash. where 5000
or 1e.0oo people are suffering the agonies
them at ouce-typhoid and typhus fevers,
dysentery and smallpox. The first three
would naturally follow as the conditions
OF starvation and hardships and the pu-
trid atmosphere of the neglected field OF
siege and battle. with fostering wounds
and iong unburied dead. The smallpox
must have been brought from some infect-
ed district. For the treatment OF these
thousands there are no physicians left.
II they escaped one fate they fell by an
other. A few holy missionary men and
women. with names TO henceforth form a
part OF the history OF their miserable
field, and one worn doctor, dividing him
self between three cities seven miles
apart. Ike poor Casabianea stood at their
posts. In this state OF things we took up
the medical relief OF these Inflated cities
Physicians must be found who are will
ing to risk the double danger OF con;a-
gsous disease and country by no means
ia a settled condition. Through George
Post. OF Beyrout. few were drawn from
the medical college In that city. placed
under the charge OF DR.. Ira Harris and
sent on by sea and land with medical sup
pics 10 begin a hospital in Marash. More
physicians are on the way, and others are
being procured to report 70 Or. Harris,
who has taken a part Of his men 10 Zei-
tcun. forty miles distant, where 5000 arc
reported III The result of his investiga-
tisns can only reach Us later. In all Asia
Minor there is no other organized body OF
medical relief. We have obligated our
selves for It's entire expenses, medical
supplies, transportation. hospital arrange
fnents salaries and travelling expenses OF
physicians. and all the necessary costs
Of communication between the various
points our first order for physicians
was .or six. with two druggists and sup
plies The number OF physicians should
be doubled. and every effort Is being made
TO that end.
THE reported number Of deaths has
been for some time seventyfve TO 100
daily. No orr SO wei as ourselves can
recognize the respons .bfiity. Bat the con-
6itions are here. ard We are here alone 70
meet them. We can only tell them 70 the
world outside and stand firm in our work
from day TO day. trusting by the mercy
Of heaven 20 attain some measure Of suc-
cess. Clara Barton"