The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1913-07-31
GIVE AID 10 COUNTRYMEN
Members of the Armenian Colony in
Kenosha have Advanced Much Money
to Bring Fellow Countrymen Here
from Armenia to Make Them Free.

Lee Hagop1an, leader OF the Ar
menian colony in Kenosha and widely
known among the people of that ma
tion in Racine, Milwaukee and Keno
sha, has come to the defense of his
people in connection with the alleged
claims of federal inspectors that these
people may be brought into the country
in defiance Of the federal laws against
contract labor. In an interview this
morning Hagopian, who is man Of
education and refinement, declared that
he was willing to lock horns with any
representative of the government in
defense Of his people. He admitted
that money had been and was being
advanced to Armenians to bring them
to this country. He declared that he
himself at the present time had made
loans Of more than 81 500 to these peo
pie, but he declared that the loans
were made solely for the purpose OF
helping his friends and relatives to
escape from the despotism of Turkey.
He declared that there was no idea
of profit by the coming of the Ar
menians to Kenosha and other cities,
but on the other hand every cent of
money that had been advanced with
this end in view had been advanced
without interest.
eve people feel deeply the eondi-
tion of thas Arp7alslsns, said Hagc,
piat this morning, Americans who
have the benefits of free country
can rot appreciate the slavery that the
Armanians are forced to bear at the
hands of the Turk. In order to come
to this country these men must steal
away from Armenia in the night and
travel through the fields by night and
sleep by day. They can take neither
their families nor their personal prep.
erty with them and if the members of
the family follow them they must take
the same chances OF being caught and
driven into even deeper slavery.
Whole families have escaped from Ar
menia in this manner and have been
reunited in Kenosha. There are now
sixty Armenians in Kenosha and a
large majority of them are men with
families. There is not one of these
men but is willing to furnish money to
bring his friends to Kenosha and furn-
ish it without any hope Of interest. -
"The Turkish government keep5 a
strong and a cruel hold on the Ar
menian This is shown in the case of
Sam Kijarjian, who has returned from
Armenia within the past three weeks.
Kiiarjian was naturalized as a citizen
here some time ago. When he left Ar
menia he had sweetheart and after
he secured his citizenship papers he
decided to return to Armenia and make
an effort to bring his sweetheart to
this country. He left here eleven
months ago and shortly after he reach
ed Armenia he was taken and thrown
into the Turkish army. 1t was five
weeks before he got chance to reach
the American consul and show his ere
dentials and secure his release from
the army and passport to return to
his adopted country. The young WON
an was forced to slip out of Armenia
by night but she arrived in New York
a few days ago and is now on her way
to join her friends in Kenosha. The
Armenians here have nothing to con-
eeal. We admit that we are advanc-
ing money to bring other Armenians
to this country, but every cent is adj
vanced honestly and without any con
tract which would force the immigrant
to pay The notes taken for this
money are unsecured and any one of
the men securing help could avoid pay
ment. Not one of them desires to take
this course for they are too anxious
to break away from the slavery of
Armenia in order to secure protection
Of the United states.n
Hagopian declared that he would be
glad to give to the federal officials any
information possible and that the rec
ords of the local Armenians showing
loans Of money would be thrown open
for the inspection of the government
officials
Dr. Beemer. Office corner Market