Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-08-20
Editors Letter Box
For Suffering Armenia.
tor Kennebec Journal

EDITOR kenneDeC journal:
Will you kindly permit US to bring to
the notice of your readers the presen.
sad condition of the Armenian people in
their native land.
Among the greatest sufferers by the
European war have been the Armenians.
Their condition is even worse than that
of the BelgianA Massacres by the Kurds
and Turks have again broken out. ac-
companied with atrocities. A multitude
of Aremnians whose homes had been
ruined and burned have fled across the
frontiers from Turkey and Persia into
Russia. There are about 100000 of these
refugees. most of them women and chill
dren. Never in my life have l seen such
suffering" writes Tolstoys daughter
Alexandra. who is serving with the Red
Cross near the frontier Some of the
refugees in her hospital had had their
hands and feet cut off. All were emaciat-
ed and in tatters. They are not only des-
titute but broken-hearted, many having
seen their husbands and children slaugh-
tered before their eyes. According to a
later dispatch from Tinis, under date of
August 10th, 255O0O Armenians have
treating Russian Army, and are taking
refuge in Trans-Caucasia.
In Turkey. where every able-bodied
man has been forced into the army, the
condition of the women and children is
even worse, the ravages of famine and
pestilence being added to those of Kur-
dish savagery. In one town not a grown
person was found. only 500 orphans.
the Armenians Of Van were successful
In repulsing the attacks Of the Kurds
ana Turks until the arrival Of the Rus
sian army. Thus they saved themselves
and upwards of $1,000 helpless men and
women with children. who had fiocked
there from the surrounding villages. But
this heroic deed caused intense irritation
to the Turks and Kurds. and it cost the
lives Of many more thousands Of Armen-
ians in the districts Of Bitlis, Mardin
and Diarbekir.
Speaking Of the Christinar population
OF these regions, a circular of the Ameri-
can Board Of Foreign Missions. under
date OF August 4. says:-"The suffering
among them Is beyond description and
the need Of help immediate and over
whelming."
Most heart-rending is the fate of the
Inhabitants Of many towns in Armenia
and Asia Minor who have been exiled
wholesale. and whose homes and lands
have been given to Mohammedan immi-
grants from Balkan countries. The men
OF these families have been detained for
some unknown purpose. ana the women
and children sent to distant parts in
Mesopotamia and Konia. TO live in un-
healthy places. or rather to perish. far
from friends and co-religionists.
From under this terrible weight Of woe
Armenia appeals to the kind-hearted
American people. The Armenian colo
MES established in the United States and
In other parts Of the world have made
great efforts to relieve their people in
the mother country. They have already
raised among themselves. and sent to the
proper agencies for distribution, hum
dreds Of thousands OF dollars. But the
misery Is so great and go widespread
that help from other sources is urgently
needed.
The American Armenia Relief Fund
Committee makes the present appeal to
the American public, in the firm hope
that. moved with humanitarian feelings.
the men and women Of this country will
extend helping hand to this unfortunate
and lons-sufserins nation Of the East.
Contributions to the AMERICAN AR
AENlAN RELIEF FUND may be sent