Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-10-04

protest against the execution Of this
order in the name OF humanity He
was told that this order did not or!gi-
nate with the local officials but that
the orders had come from those higher
up not 10 leave n single Armenian In
the city. The commandment, however.
promised TO leave the college to the
last and gave permission for all peo-
pie connected with the Armenian in
st!tut!ons TO move into the college
compound. This they did, and at one
time over 800 Armenians were living
on the college premises.
The population had been ordered to
be ready TO depart Wednesday. But
OH Tuesday, about $40 A. NJ, the OK
carts appeared at the doors of the
first district to be removed, and the
people were ordered TO depart at once
Some were dragged from their beds
without even sufficient clothing All
the morning the OK carts crcaked out
OF the town. laden with women and
children. and here and there man
who had escaped tho previous depor-
tation. The women and girls all wore
the Turkish costume. that their faces
might not be exposed TO the gaze OF
drivers and gendarmes-a brutal lot
of men brought in from other regions.
brothers OF these same women were
away in the army fighting for the
Turkish government.
The panic in the city was terrible.
The people felt that the government
was determined 10 exterminate the AR
menian race. and they were powerless
TO resist. The people were sure that
the men were being killed and the
women kidnapped. Many OF the con-
ricts in the prison had been released,
and the mountains around -- were
full OF bands of outlaws. 1t was feared
taken some distance from the city and
left TO the mercy OF these men. How
ever that may be. there are provable !
cases OF the kidnapping of attractive
young girls by the Turkish officials OF |.
one Moslem reported that a |,
gendarme had offered 10 sell him two
girls for a nejidieh. The women be- !
lieved that they were going to worse !
than death. and many carried poison
in their pockets TO use If necessary. |!
Some carried picks and shovels to bury |
those they knew would die by the way |
side. During this reign Of terror no. !
tice was given that escape was easy: !
that any one who accepted Islam would I
be allowed to remain safely at home. !
The offices of the lawyers who record !
cd applications were crowded with /
people petitioning to become Moham-
medans. Many did 1t for the sake OF |
their women and children. feeling that ;
It would be a matter of only q few
weeks before relief would come.
ONLY FEW HUNDRED
REMAIN OF THOUSANDS /
This deportation continued at inter |!
walls for about two weeks. 1t is csti- |
mated that out of about 1900 Armen- |
left Even those who offered to ac- /,
ccpt Islam were sent away. At the /
time OF writing, no definite word has |
been heard from any of these groups. |
Zone Greek driver reported that at a
little village a few hours from Marso- |
van, the few men were separated from ,
the women, were beaten and chained. !
and sent on In separate group. 4 |
Turkish driver reported seeing the !
caravan two days journey from ---.
The people were so covered with dust
that features were scarcely distin- !
guishablc.) Even If tho lives of these
eXiles are being protected 1t Ia n ques-
tion how many will be able to endure |
the hardships of the Journey over the |
hot. dusty hills, with no protection
from the sun, with poor food and little
water. and the ever-present fear OF /
death. or some worse fate.
Most of the Armcnians in the -
district were absolutely hopeless. Many |
said that 1t was worse than a massacre. !
No ono knew what was coming, but all |
felt that It was the end. Even the |
pastors and leaders could offer no word |
of encouragement or hope. Many be-
gan to doubt even the existence of |
God. Under the severe strain many in !
divlduals became dcmentcd, some OF !
them permanently. There were also !
some examples Of the greatest heroism |
and faith, and some started cut on tho |
journey courageously and calmly, say !
ing in farewell: pray for us. We Will i
not see you again in this world, but !
sometime we will meet again"
CITY EXPERIENCES
REIGN OF TERROR |
I wish to inform you of conditions
here. They arc very bad and daily |
getting worse. suppose - told you |
of the horrible things taking place in |
-. Just such a reign Of terror has
Ia In Al ~ aia