New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-20
A WITNESS OF TURKISH CRIMES,
MISS GRACE n. KIMBALL DESCRIBES THE
HORRORS IN ARMENIA.


Miss Grace ~ Kimball, the well-known American
missionary who been conducting the relief work
at Van, in Armenia involving a disbursement or
$4,000 arrived In this city on Friday on the ST.
Louis Since 1892 she has pursued the work or
medical missionary In Turkey. and was In Constan-
tipople at the time Of the attack on the Ottoman
Bank in August last. Miss Kimball has been twice
m Turkev the first time 1892 when she stayed IN
the country for six years. and again In lSsz from
which time until q few months ago she "eA the
representative Of the American Board OF foreleh
Missions Miss Kimball is regularly Quahned
physician. and in her sphere Of work In van CITY
about 1000 miles east of Constantinople ana eighty
miles south OF Mount Ararat, she has done great
service to the prosecuted Armenans or that district
Mis-. Kirnball was last night at the offices OF
the National American Relief Committee, In the
Bible House and in the course Of an extended con-
versaton with Tribune reporter she announced
with emphasis that in the reports which had
reached this country Of the conditions and persecu-
lions Of the Armenans by the Turks and hurds
there had been exaggeratioD In Van. where
Miss Kimball stationed, she said that there
was no security for either life or property and she
described many instances wherein the Christians In
that vicinity had been put 10 death by the Turkish
authorities. She corroborated to the full the state
ments that organized massacres OF the Armenians
had been arranged but she refuted the statements
that have gained such general publicity that
women and children were. generally speaking. vic
Tins Of the slaughter As instance OF the blood
thirsty instincts Of the Turkish authorities. Miss
Kimbau said that while she was I'm Van last year
q band of Armenians TO the number of loo. under
the leadership of Mugerditch Avedisan. set out TO
reach the Persian frontier. After hard journey
across the mountains. they were met on the plain
bevond by Turkish soldiers. with the result that
only thirty men with the exception OF about 900
Who returned 10 Van before the expedition started
from the CITY survived the massacre by INC
soldiers Miss Kimball said that Van escaped the
horrible butchery Of last fall simply because II was
We'll garrisoned and had within rs walls so many
Hrmenians that II was well capable Of Withstand
ing an attack by the TURKS. -, .o~,. ,,,s
According 10 Miss Kimball. the American mis-
dren under their charge were indebted TOT Pro,ec.
lion 10 the English flag. At Van she sald the
missionaries were forbidden 10 fly the american
flag because there was no American consulate
established there. , -e.oao,,o
Upon Minister Terrell the American representa-
tive at Constantinope. Miss Kifnball was especldy
severe She described him as wanting not ohI} IN
Diplomacy but IN effort 10 protect the American
residents in Turkey. II was her opinion that ne
the people whom the Government oppressed Al
ter asserting that Minister Terrell was disliked by
the Americans resident in Turkey because OF The
course he had followed throughout the. troubles,
Miss Kimnall said that In her efforts 10 set her
diploma countersigned in accordance with the
laws Of the country In order that she might prac-
ttce, she had written numerous letters 10 the
American Legation. but had never once received
Miss Kimball added that it would be necessary to
nave European Intervention IN Dehalf or the Ar