The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-01-30
THE SITUATION IN ARMENIA.

CHICAGO is a center for the dissent
nation of intelligence from all parts
of the world. The Armenian Com
mittee have headquarters here and
are constantly sending out docu-
ments and appeals relating to the
sufferiDgs of Christians in that coun-
try. We coudeuse from recent bull
letins the following items:
An off ;ial communication in the
Turkish papers announces the for
nation of special committees through
out the land, to make an appeal to
the population to assist the general
government by contributing to
fund which is to be used in re-
plenishing the military stores for the
reserve. The government has made
special inducements to liberal patri-
otism among the people, by means of
medals and proofs of good citizen
ship. The Gregorian Armenian
church at Egin was burned during
the late occurrences. Six Of the
priests were killed. The governor of
the place has been decorated-an ex-
ample of the Turks appreciation of
massacre!
From Aintab comes the intelli-
gence that the French Consul from
Marash has been there, and spent
several days in conference with Off
Gals and prominent citizens, and he
assures them that the European
powers are deeply interested in the
welfare of that country, and the res
toration of friendly relations between
Moslems and Christians; and further
is heard from reliable sources, that
efforts are being made to. induce
Christians to return to Aintab; to col
lect debts due them by Moslems;
and, by friendly relations among all
classes, restore business.
A letter from BitIis, dated October
u, states; "In Akhlot region the
Kurds are raiding the villages, carry
ing off sheep and oxen, and such
things as they fancy. How to get re-
lief to the needy SO that Kurds and
Zaptiehs cannot snatch it away, is a
hard problem. The government will
not permit the visitation of villages.
The Harpoot district is estimated
to have 10000 needy, and 5000 wild
ows and orphans. Many families are
sleeping on the ground without cover
ing. 100000 will be needed to take
these through the winter. In some
districts there has been much sowing
of seed, but rains have retarded the
work of saving the harvests; and
many villagers have been forced to
mortgage tleir harvest before the
grain was ripe, and will be as desti-
tute as ever, after the harvest is gath
cred. In Baibourt city there are 500
souls amongst whom there remains
not single male member able to
work.
In Erzroum there are over 1900
souls in distress, and in Erzigan city
there are over 1000 destitute. There
are hundreds of able-bodied men,
who are unable to procure work, and
are as helpless as widows and or
phans. Much has been done to re-
lieve exiles from Constantinople, and
about one half of the 1000 passing
through Erzroum have received assist
ance. If tranquility and confidence
are restored, the distressed Armenians
of the Vilayet province can be helped
to tide over the winter.
Rev. c. F. Gates, d. D., we'll known
in Chicago, President of Harpoot Col
lege, has worked with patience and dis
elimination. He has devoted himself
exclusively to the dreariest and most
disheartening of relief work. The
Armenians of theVilayet province wor-
ship him, and even the Turks like
him. Contributions for his work will
be received by F.. g. Keith, President
of the Metropolitan National Bank,
Chicago.