The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-09-11
FROM ONE OF OUR MISSIONARIES.
The Condition in Turkey Accurately De-
scribed.

scribed.
Continued from issue of Aug. 2S)
They also have extensive vineyards which
will yield abundantly this year; so gave
them only enough to keep them until the
harvest; after that, the call for food will not
be very pressing. Furmiz was attacked by
the soldiers and Is now a mass of ruins,
only Z houses remaining intact. One new
house has been built since, by the chief
man of the village-the only new house 1
saw In all this journey, except those put up
by the Catholic missionaries for their peo-
pie. About 40 yoke of oxen are needed
here. They have Is yoke now, beside 25
horses, most of which they captured from
the Turks when they attacked caravan of
supplies going to the soldiers during the
not dare to 60 out with these horses, for
fear they may be recognized and taken from
them. When Furmiz was attacked by the
soldiers there were large numbers of refu-
gees there from Geben and other villages,
and great slaughter took place. The
bones of those killed are still lying on the
mountainsides. Those who could, fled up
the mountain behind the village and hid be-
hind rocks and in caves where they stayed
all winter. They were nearly starving,
when they managed to capture the supply
train, referred to above, which kept them
alive until hostilites ceased. After distrib-
uting relief we had an impressive service
and prepared to start. / went to return the
captains call and to ask for two soldiers to
accompany us as far as 1t might appear
necessary. The captain was anxious to
learn what was going on In the world. All
the soldiers and officers 1 have met appear
apprehensive that war is imminent and they
do not like the prospect at all. / thought
it rather interesting that this captain should
say cGnidentally that the only way to re-
form Turkey, is to have English officers
stationed in every city of the empire, to ad-
minister, (etc.) affairs, as they do in Egypt.
He, in common with all the minor officers,
and the general soldiery has received no
pay for 10 months. He wishes to retire
from the service on pension, as he has
now served 81 years. He enquired very
anxiously If after retiring he could not go to
Cyprus or Egypt and draw his pension
there. He was tired of Turkey. He gave
me two soldiers very willingly, and the
soldiers were glad enough to come, as they
were pretty sure of good bakshish. Just
no xua xyoro oto 0 opa of tho rriaeto ooooo
to me and enquired If had come to dis
tribute relief or to make protestants. 1
asked what he meant. He said that AvediS
Agha was getting signatures to paper,
pledging the signers to become protestants.
Immediately called a bait and investigated.
l found that all it amounted to was this:
That fifteen families, representing about
100 people, had entirely Of their own accord,
presented petition asking for preacher
to come and guide them in the way Of life.
/ made 1t very plain that we did not use
this relief work as propaganda; but no one
could reasonably object to the request of
these people which seemed to be prompted
by no mercenary motive. All parties seemed
satisfied with the explanation, so after
having to refuse very touching appeal for
help, from young widow for herself and
her two little children, we mounted our
animals and were off. / did not give any
clothing here, az they all seemed to be fairly
supplied in that respect. On high spur of
the mountain about an hour from the viii
lage is situated the Furmiz monastery, now
mass of ruins, with the exception of the
church. which was fire proof. Just before
the monastery are the ruins of an ancient
CONTINUED on page q