Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-09

usually StOOd at ABOUT 2uU, lncluulnS IicI
and women. Seven years ago "a per
cent of the students in the college came
from inside radius of fifteen miles i'm
mediately adjacent to Harpoot. But DUR
ing the last year Sc per cent have come
from outside that radius.
In the meantime the stimulus of the
college has caused other important
schools to grow up in the vicinity, which
have relieved the pressure upon the col
lege In this respect, allowing 1t to take
more students from abroad.
Recognized as Strong Force.
The college is recognized as a strong
force in that part of Turkey. 1t is the
only institution of its grade for q popula-
ton of three or four millions of people.
Eastward to Persia, southwark into
Mesopotamia and northward to the Black
sea it has the entire field to itself for the
higher education of both men and women.
1t is the model upon which Turkish
schools are now being established, and
the faculty are often called upon to aid
the government in organizing and conduct
ing them. 1t has had close relations with
the government for at least twenty years
being recognized officially as an American
college, with a charter from the central
Turkish government, and its commanding
position at the head of the educational
WOTk Oh all IIldC part OF turkey is
acknowledged by all classes.
Immediately following the massacres OF
1896 the college, which then had prac-
tically its entire plant wiped out, took a
prominent part in looking after the
thousands of orphans that were left in the
district. 1t was leading force for some
years in relief work; thousands of dol
lars of relief funds passed through the
hands of its treasurer and were distribut-
ed under the direction of the then presi-
N n n II
president of Robert College at CONSTANT
nople. The industrial enterprises started
then to give employment to the destitute
have been continued, including rug weav-
trades which are taught to the students
and through which they are able to earn
a part, at least, of their tuition.
The teaching force of the college num-
bers forty-tive, including six Americans,
all the rest being natives, with the ex-
ception of one Swiss teacher. Two Of the
teachers have taken graduate courses in
Europe; one is now taking a post-grad-
uate course in America; three or four
others who We're formerly teachers in the
college are now studying in America at
their own expense. with the expectation
Of returning later to resume their work.
Censors Suppress Paper.
In connection with the students there
has been for fifty years a theological
seminary for training young men for
the Christian ministry.
In the early days the college published
a monthly paper in English, which circu-
lated among the English-speaking peo-
pie of the province, especially among the
friends of the college in America When
the Turkish censors began their work of
suppression this press was stopped and
the government seal was put on it to pre-
vent 1t from being used. For twenty-five
years that press was silent. AS soon as
the constitution was proclaimed it was
again started. New furniture was Sc
cured, and the printing goes on satisfac-
torily.
Before the press was stopped a large
number of text books for the use of the
college and lower schools had been pub
lished. Fearing that this work might be
interfered with, Rev. Crosby III. Wheeler,
the founder and at that time the presi-
dent of the college, ran the press to it's
full capacity up to the very time the gov
eminent stopped it altogether. In this
way supply of text books was pro-
duced which stood the educational work
Well in hand during the period of silence.
DR.. West, the first medical missionary
at Sivas, had for one of his pupils and
assistants bright young Armenian who
later took up practice himself at Har-
poot. Because of his thorough training he
was able to supply in large measure the
medical needs at HarpOot. For years he
attended the missionaries and their chill
dren. Later there was loud call for
an American physician, SO that ten years
ago it was decided to begin medical work
A commodious hospital was erected at the
foot of the hill on the plain below Har-
poot, which was formally opened only in
the fall of 1910, with the governor and
high officials present, all speaking in high
terms Of appreciation Of the medical work
and it's benefits to that country.
Branch Institution Established.
As branch of this station, medical
work has been established at Diarbekir,
nearly 100 miles to the south, with funds
left in a legacy by Mr.. Asian Sahagian,
an Armenian formerly connected with the
mission school in that place, and afer-
ward a prosperous merchant in the
United States. He was SO much inter-
ested in the missionary work. especially
in his native city. that he gave $4,000
for the construction of hospital and
Gus support
Hospitals and dispensaries in Turkey
are far more nearly self-supporting than
are similar institutions In Europe and
America. The people are always ready to
pay for medical attendance and for medi-
oines Some of the mission hospitals are al
most wholly self-supporting, and many are
partly so. Men of wealth who have re-
ceived substantial help from Christian
hospitals often give literally for the up
keep of those institutions in order that
those who cannot pay for what they re-