The Republican journal., 1910-03-03
The Mission Mail Bag.
"a NEW COMMISSION or 1NpusrRIE


"A NEW COMMISSION OF INDUSTRIES.
Where? In the most unlikely place
imaginable, and the personnel of the Or
ganizatlon consists of strangely diverse
elements. The Commission was formed
NOT long ago in the city of Adana, Turkey,
.or the purpose of developing native IN
uustrles and supplying the needy people
with work. Among the fifty men who
form the official body are the mayor. the
chief OF police, the president of the Grim
maj court, leading merchants of various
races, the British and Persian consuls,
Armenian bishops, .Gregorian priests and
director of the government tobacco
monopoly. 1t was a picturesque scene
when they gathered for the formal open
ing of the work, the ecclesiastics in
black caps and flowing garb touching
elbows with the young English consul in
SILK hat and frock coat, or an old Moslem
teacher in white turban and fur-hned
eoaf, near neighbor to plain American.
Inc seat of honor was accorded to the
new Turkish governor of the province,
VINO has initiated so many practical re-
forms that old Turks are sitting up and
rubbing their eyes. Nearly every one
was putting away at cigarettes, which
turkish etiquette offers as soon as guests
arrive, and before business came also
the serving of coffee, whose excellence
was attested by loud slipping of the lips.
Then several of the men produced strings
OF beads which they carry to toy with
when the fingers are not busy. This is
SAID to quiet the nerves!
One of the speakers, the head of the
military force in the city, said that ser
wee to humanity is the only thing of per-
manent value in human life Shades
OF Mahomet! what sentiment to fall
from the lips of Moslem! Both this
offlcer and the governor paid high COM
pllment to the president of the new Com
mission, saying that in his hands the en-
terprlse would be administered with
perfect integrity" something almost
unknown in a land where bribery and
corruption have reigned supreme for cen
turles. The government has entrusted
him with $500 as capital for the enter
PRISE, and he also serves, without pay, as
president of the International Relief
committee and on all the government
relief committees. Besides this he has
hospital which is open to
all, SO far as limited equipment and ca
paclty will allow. This capable admins
traitor is an American, Rev. W. n. |
Chambers of Adana. For Turkish gov
ernor to give public recognition to for
elgner and Christian missionary at that,
to put so large a sum of money into his
control and subject to his order, is an act
precedent and of great signif-
canoe.
The particular industries already start
ed are Oriental embroideries and lace
work, and many beautiful articles were
on exhibition the opening day. The nee ]
essary training in needlework had been /
given by Mrs. Shepard of Aintab, whose
husband is one of the ablest physicians
IN Asia Minor. After the speeches and
more coffee the Turkish officials seemed
as eager to buy as women at bargain
sale In the United States. The counter
revolution last April cost the lives of rs
900 men, and laid IN ashes much OF Adana,
Tarsus and the surrounding villages, !
thus throwing thousands of helpless
women and children upon the community,
The Commission is sign that the Young
Turk party is determined to bring har-
mony and prosperity to that unhappy
country, and is grateful for the practical
assistance of American missionaries.
There are branches in other parts of the
province.