New-York tribune., 1899-12-24
FRIENDS OF ARMENIA.
HELPING TO MAINTAIN THE ORPHANS
BY SUPPLYING THE AMER
ICAN MISSIONS.
HELPERS GOING TO TURKEY TO ASSIST WITH
THE woRK-DEPoR7sfRNr OF THE TITHE
FARMERS prTILEss IN THE
EXTREME.

The object Of the London society known as the
Friends Of Armenia Is to maintain Armenian
orphens by supplying the American missions with
funds and sending helpers 10 Turkey to assist with
ne work.
1t also helps Armenian women to become self
supporting by selling their neeclework and thus
providing them with an Industry The society also
sends out money for general relief In such emer-
gencies as partial famine
The Friends OF Armenia have expended since lSI
s36 $50 for orphans, S035 for general RELIEF ana
they have paid nearly $4,000 for materials for
clothing The president OF the society is Lady
Frederick Cavendish.
As result of the cruel exactions OF the Turkish
taxgatherers and the failure Of the crops renewed
appeals for help have come from the missionaries
in Armenia
DR. Reynolds, OF Van. thus writes:
The promise OF the fields was excellent until
have insured such crop as would have kept the
10 come. and the fields which depend on the rain
alone. began to dry up and many OF them DID not
out these there would have been abundant har-
vest had the fields which depend on irrigation been
Ge 10 sSSye n b uISd failure SepP f the and
springs had become marked that less than half
was progressive. 50 want stares US in the face
a friendly government official, who called on ne
yesterday urged in his behalf and that OF
our good Vail that / do not delay In making
known the situation He is Is In a position to tnow
products in the province will suffice for its In
habitants for more than eight or nine months. Our
collectors assure us that not more than half IN
many places not more than quarter. Of the Ar
menian villagers have sufficient food to last I'LL
another harvest. while of the other hall some have
enough to last eight six or two months, and many
But it is not merely breadsturs that are deficient
Other crops as wei have suffered from lack OF
water and d many fruit trees have dried up and
are being cut down The pasturage has been 90
short that the dairy products on which all very
largely depend for food are hard to find. Many
drinking water. Where the orchards and vineyards
could have even little water fruit has been aoun-
an a IN arS @ K has eS re @
But the prices OF almost all food products are al
nS 80 '9afe as or we ew nSsG ne ba
tion awaits fully half Of the Armenian population,
OF charity should be again extended for their relief
II is extremely difficult TO procure grain from
surplus. and expectation Is prohibited. II anything
should be done at once. snow will render the
roads impossible In from two 10 three months.
% rra esG n @ now 50 tnat IN or wo
he an untold benefit 10 the province. Even II half
OF 1t were sold at cost instead Of being driven
away. the advantage would st be incalculable
Another missionary OF thirty-one years standing
says:
II marauders are rampant In the past
taxation Is most inexorabe. and the department OF
this. the poor people in their distress Tor Clothing
food and the wherewth TO meet the constant demand
IL not homes. in some OF the provinces that the
heartrending spectacle has been OF the family
standing By weeping and wrnging their hands while
creditors In their struggle sweep the threshing
floor. not leaving spoonful for the hungry ones
who have gathered II. though not enough 20 square
the account Added 10 this / knew OF poor
woman who had her vegetables and only donkey
taken while she herself was beaten.
Much our Vail seeks TO enforce rules for 1.-THE
urng till they receive heavy tips % set the work
going while they heap up their part and scoop out
that of the peasant shamefuly. with such
ch ronc conditions. whence Improvement that
constant drain OF energy. patience and purse from
abroad he avoided? IL equality OF rights may not
be realized that legitimate fruit OF honest toll
be gathered why not some compassion In taxation
Thus n is that not a few have food house.
save as charity provides. while thousands OF peas
ants are reduced not TO have the one eve
lamb and crouch IN their dismal corners too dis
ouraged and naked to venture into the light. while
escape from starvation ere spring seems 10 them
impossible.
Escape IS indeed impossible" adds Mr.. Can't
low secretary of the Friends OF Armenia.
unless the hands that once saved them
when almost perishlng are again stretched out
10 help. Nay We hope 1t will be so, and that
the thankful prayers OF the gaunt-eyed men. has-
gard women and children with wan faces. whom We
have rescued from the hunger hend. may breathe
a blessing on our land in this its hour Of need?"
Dcna tions In aid Of Armenian relief can be for
warded through Hector Munro Ferguson treas
urer Friends Of Armenia No. n victorta-st. West
minister, 8 w London. England.