The state herald., 1915-04-02
CHRISTIANS ARE
SHOT BY KURDS
MALES AND AGED WOMEN AND
AND BABIES KILLED AND
GIRLS CARRIED AWAY.
MASSACRE IN PERSIA
COLORADO DOCTOR WITH U. S.
FLAG RISKS HIS LIFE TO
RESCUE 5000.
Western Newspaper Union News Service.

Western Newspaper Union News Service.
New York.-All the men at Gulpa-
shan. "A large village near Urumiah,
Persia, have been shot by Kurds, the
women violated, an American mission.
airy beaten and siXty-fivc refugees
taken from the French and American
missions have been hanged on gibbets
erected in the mission yards, according
to cablegram received here by the
Presbyterian board of foreign mis-
sions.
The cable came from four native
Christians in Tiflis. three of whom
were naturalized Americans.
The message follows:
"Gulpashan destroyed. Its men shot,
women violated. Sixty men taken from
French mission compound and five
from American mission yard. Massa-
ere imminent. Implore State Depart
ment that Consulate at Tabriz pro.
coed Urumiah."
Tiflis.-Telegrams and letters reach
ing here from Urumiah in northwest
ern Persia describe the situation Of
the American Presbyterian mission
there as desperate. Turkish regular
troops and Kurds are prosecuting and
massacring Syrian Christians.
Harry p. Packard, the doctor of the
missionary station at Urumiah OF the
board of foreign missions OF the Pres
byterian church, formerly of Pueblo.
Colo, risked his life in successful
effort to prevent a frightful massacre
at Geogtapa, where 5000 Syrians made
their last stand. They had fought for
three days and all their ammunition
was gone. At this juncture DIR. Pack
ard unfurled an American flag and ad.
vanced between the lines. His act re-
suited in the saving of all but 200
of the Syrians, who had been burned
in the church.
Fifteen thousand Syrian Christians
have taken refuge under protection of
the American mission station, while
1000 are at the French mission.
A dispatch received at Tiflis from
Urumiah declared that seventy Turk
ish regular troops had entered the
mission. hanged the orthodox bishop,
Mar Ella, and four orthodox clergy
men. and beaten and insulted mis-
sionary named Allen. Shortly before.
sixty refugees had been dragged from
the French mission and executed. In
spite OF the fearful pleas OF the nuns.
At Gulpashan the Kurds were par
ticularly cruel. This was the last OF
total of 103 Syrian villages TO hold
out and 1t was occupied month ago.
The Kurds ordered all the Syrian
males into the streets, tied them in
groups of five, marched them 10 the
graveyard and killed them. barbarous.
ly, to the last boy. Girl babies and
older women were then executed with
great atrocity. while the younger WON.
en- were carried away NJ slaves.
As result OF the war. 1900 Syri-
ans are taking refuge in the Cauca-
sus. some 1900 are described ms Ia
inhUiHtHt uhHktI ~ 'n' 'tuhHlhh Hiin-
sions, while 10000 are dead or miss
ing Furthermore. much property has
been destroyed. The Syrians fought
their assailants brayely and as long as
they had ammunition they were yicto-
rious.
The missionaries are untiring In
their efforts to help the people and
they are spending money TO this end
freely. In urumiah they are dlsburs-
Ing the equivalent OF $500 daily. Dis.
ease Is prevalent among the refugees.
The situation at Urumiah already
has been taken up with Turkey by the
United States. Secretary Bryan has
tclegraphed American Ambassador
Morgcnthau at constantinoplo to seek
the protection OF the missionaries
and the refugees. Previous dispatches
from Djulfa, Persia, have described
the danger nt urumlnh. but none has
given 40 much detail as the message
from Tlflis,
Gen. Scott Places Piutet In jail.
Salt Lake city.-Gonernl Scott a