Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-10-01
TURKS BIND CAPTIVES.
PILE THEM LIKE WOOD.
BURN THEM TO DEATH
Sea Captain Says Alexandria
Merchant Told Him of Bar
barism Committed in
Dardanelles
SHORT OF AMMUNITION

The Turks are making great human
bonfires of their prisoners Of war. de-
stroying them by flames because ammuni-
tion is too scarce and feeding them is
profitless.
That Is the story brought to this city
by Captain Gideon S. Jeffries, of 104 North
SD street. Captain Jeffries was in COM
mand Of the Gargoyle. a tank steamer
belonging to the Vacuum Oil Company,
when the vessel made three eventful voy-
ages to Alexandria.
The source of his information, the cap
tain said, was a business man in Alex
andria. 1t was this merchant whose
identity he refused to reveal, who told
him Of the cruelties practiced by the
Turkish soldiers in the Dardanelles. The
Alexandrian himself had witnessed the
atrocities while on a business journey to
the scene of the slaughter.
When enemies of the Turks are shot
they are subjected to further injury, ac-
cording to the captain. They are left on
the battlefield, either to be rescued by
comrades or to die. Wounded enemy
don't cost anything.
But II a soldier is captured he is doomed
to death by fire. The prisoners are
marshaled into line and marched to the
scene of the execution. They are bound,
hand and foot. and their bodies are then
soaked in oil. The men are then piled
upon each other and when columns of
prisoners have been built the torch is
applied. AS the living fuel writhes in its
distress, sometimes rolling over each
other, new "kindling'' is added to the
bonfire, and when every prisoner has been
reduced to ashes the Turks go on their
way.
Captain Jeffries learned of this condi-
tion on one of the three voyages which
he made to Alexandria since the begin
ming of the European war. Shortly after
the declaration of hostilities the German
oil steamer Purcell was on its way to
Hamburg when it was ordered to return
to Marcus Hook. Subsequently the tank
er-was admitted to American registry and
the name was changed from Purcell to
Gargoyle.
ON December 10 the Gargoyle sailed for
Alexandria. Arriving at Gibraltar, she
was stopped by the British authorities,
and after a thorough examination was
permitted to proceed to Egypt. The ves-
sci then returned to America. On March
1 another voyage was made, and the Gar
goyle was again stopped at Gibraltar,
carrying, as on the previous trip cargo
of oil valued at 100000. On May II the
third journey was undertaken.
But this time the difficulties OF Captain
Jeffries did not end at Gibraltar. The
tanker was advised to mend her course
by the commander OF French cruiser.
and when the advice was not accepted.
the ship was interned in st. Paul's Bay,
off the Island of Malta, for three weeks.
During the term of internment Cap
tain Jeffries was subjected to most rig
orous scrutiny. Once, when he attempted
to leave the boat, he was threatened
with arrest. His movements were care
fully observed and no privileges were
allowed unless a thorough investigation
had first been completed.
PERMITTED TO SAIL
Finally the Gargoyle was permitted to
sail for Alexandria. The French naval
lieutenant who had ordered the vessel
interned, however. required Captain JEFF
fries to man his ship with ive French
sailors and a French officer. The pur-
pose of that provision was to insure the
return dt the Gargoyle to Malta.
II was wanted there again because OF
impending prize-court proceedings The
ship, although registered by the govern
ment of the United States. had been a
German vessel. In consequence. under
certain interpretations of international
law, the captain might be required to
answer important questions OF the Eng
lish or French authorities.