The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-03-12
CHRISTIANS SUFFER GREAT HARDSHIP IN
 NOR RTHERN PERSIA
More Than 5o,ooo Offence less Residents of North western Persia in Distress

New Y ork. March 12.AThe horrors Of the great war have now brought suffering and exile to more than 50.- GOO ofrenceless Christian people in 1Zorthw estern Persias according to a statement given out by a newly or ganized Persian War Relief Commit tee. The invasion of Persia and the capture by Turks and Kurds of the cities of Urunia, Tabriz and other cit 1es which had been held by Russian troops, drove the sAssyrian and Ar1ne- nian people in fear of massacre etth- CT out of the country into Russia or into the American n1issf onary com pounds in NUrnnaia and Tabriz The f7iEht from Ur1lmiaI began at midnight on January End. the people having only a. few moments notice of the approach of thes Kurds and the need s0f light. Rev. J. D. Barnard, a missionary of the Archbishop, of Can terburys Mission Of the Church of England who left Urun1ia with the refugees in view of the approach of the Turkish troops writes
 4Practfca1ly the entire Christian population of the Ururaia, Plain and gleighboring districts were in flight tas we left. As far as the eye could reach in both directions was 9 con- stant stream of refugees sometimes so dense that the road was blocked. 1t was a dreadful sight, and one I never want to see again. Many old people and children died on the way.
 Most of the refugees who fled to Russia made their way to the city of Tifis The long journey of the thousands of fleeing people was made from Urunia in the depth of winter with no provision for the journey. afoot through snow and rain and cold One of the refugees ohm Mooshfe, natura1ized American citi- zen and superintendent of the Day Schools in the Urumia Plain. writes from Tif1is:
 During the ten days Journey we have witnessed a. long chain Of men, women and children from Ururnia to Djou1fa, most of them walking in cold and mud, without food or shelter We have seen many women and children endure cold and fatigue The Chris tian inhabitants or Tabriz and Sa1mlas have left except those in Tabriz who are protected by the American Con- suIs
 From Tabriz Rev Frederick N.s
 Everyone is seeking shelter with us French. Belgian. Swede. Aus trfans German, Turkishs Armenian and even Mos1ensz The Arnenians are in great terror and everyone dreads the Kurds and their coming. We have been advised by our Consul to withdraw from our other proper ties and to concentrate here in the School compound We have per- rIaissd on to receive Europeans and our own people among the natives. For two days refugees have lbeen coming All our school Buildings are giv- en over to them. All benches have been taken out and people are coming all day long bringing rugs, provisions and bedding. Some refugees from Maragha have absolutely nothing. Some have walked the 50 or 60 miles in Che winter cold and blizzard leav- ing everything. leading or carrying children
 Gordon Paddock, cables:
 Appeal Red Gross and friends telegraph money aid many thousand destitute refugees
 The American Consul at TIflis ca
 Fifteen thousand Persian Chris tan refugees, Caucasus Local au- thorft1es doing best, but funds need ed return them home. Fourteen thousand refugees mission premises dollars urgently needed. Telegraph funds TaloFfz.' g
 For over 75 years American Chris- Hans have carried on missionary western Persia and for the last gen eratIon Anglican missionaries from England and Roman Catholic mis- sionaries from France have worked among them. The disaster which has now fallen upon the people falls upon them all indiscrinainateIy and Includes many MosIens that have s5een subjected to the same hard ships and loss as their Christian neighbors. Relief funds will be dis 4ribl1ted wherever there is greatest need without regard to sect or nation aIity.
 The American missionaries ir Northwestern Persia are all at tIaei1 posts and have filled their compounds and buildings with refugees. A relief rig under the American Consul and w s. vanneman. M. D.; Rev. Roberi 1f Larabee of Tabriz has gone to Tiff lis to work with the local comnittee Of leading native Christians. ReIiei kn Tifns will be supervised by this committee, Mir. Laratbee and the Am erican Consul
 Of all those throughout the world who are suffering on account of the war none have suffered more o1 an greater innocence than these thou sands of poor people who have beer driven from their homes in the deptF Of winter and left hor1Iess and desti- fufe- They must be cared for in the # cities to which they have fled and M now that the Turks and KurdS ap- Dear to be wfthdrawfng from Peasis must be returned to their, destroyed homes and enabled to reestalblist Themselves. The need is urgent and uppaHng but the amount needed ii unlimited; a hundred thousand dol. aars will meet the pressing iumedi- ate need
 An American Connftte with Rob. ,ert D. Speer, chairman, will aibe re zpons5ble for the prompt forwardine and distributing of the funds. $6,0 ,00t have already been forwarded fron fhe Red Cross and from the Mission arv Societies and Dr. Yannemann ha.