The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-07-06
RELIEF IN WESTERN TURKEY.

station, Western Turkey, has been re-
ceived by the American Board of Foreign
Missions. Treblzond was the first station
in which a massacre occurred. Rev. NJ. T..
PARMELEE, NJ. D., sheltered 100 refugees
in his own home and saved their lives
by raising the United States flag. lie
is now en- route to the United States.
The report states that the the numter of
benenciaries exceeds eight thousand. or
$40, 900 relief fund, $4,000 has already
been expended.
In the relief work 1865 heavy quilts and
312 wadded jackets were made besides
shirts and other garments, giving en-
pIoyment to hundred or more people
for period OF two months. Then fol-
lowed the manufacture OF farming i'm
plements, OF which 800 were made and
distributed to villages in place OF money.
At present corn is brought from Ordoo
and distributed instead OF money othe
villagers at the rate OF about 400 bushels
a week. This will be used for food ana
for seed. The entire hope OF the farmers
for this year turns on the corn crop, the
season for sowing which is April and
May. The supply of corn Is therefore
vital element in the performance OF relief
The entire amount of contributions
during the past fourteen years is s1o,s0s.
During this period the Proestants of the
Trebizond field havo increased from 40
to 1867, communicates from 26 to 222,
attendants on worship from 100 to $40,
scholars from 6S to AL, contributions
from s97 to $3.50.
A cablegram published June 20 stated
that there had been a massacre in Van,
Eastern Turkey. References to the effect
of n dreaded massacre and of disturbed
conditions are made in special report OF
the Van Industrial Bureau and villOge
Relief work, up to June ], which has
been received from the British vice-con-
sui and Major OF the Royal Artillery, W.
III. Williams. The report says that on
the first of last January 1900 men, women
and children were supported by the In
dustrial department and 5000 were re-
ceiving bread. During February, owing
to the increased distress, the total mum.
Der Of those receiving relief rose to about
1900. During February and March
s5720 worth OF clothing, manufactured by
the industrial department., was given
away to about 10000 people. many of
whom had struggled, Aas2ost naked,
through the snow OF an exceptionally
severe winter. During March villagers
began to crowd into town for relief.
Prospects at this period appeared more
hopeful, when suddenly the Kurds at
tackled three villages close to the town.
During March, April and May $500 was
given in small sums to help these people
back to their homes. The results have
been most satisfactory. The people have,
to q certain extent, recovered from the
state OF panic into which they have fallen.
But Ii security cannot be obtained, no
fund however large could attempt 10 cope
with the distress OF the coming winter.
AS regards finances there is at present
a balance OF Sli40 In hand, all OF which
has, however, been appropriated to vari-
Gus districts. The harvest will be early
in August and promises well. IL the Wo-
mems Armenian Relief Fund can manage
to send, say $500 before that time, the
work may be satisfactorily closed. The
relief work has been conducted by DIR.
Kimbnll OF Bangor, Me. and the mem
bers Of the American Mission, in a sens
ible and business like way. No money
has been nsed without full and searching
inquiry, and the money has been give
without any distinction of creed or Sec
tartan prejudices or any idea OF proselyt-
ing.
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