The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-20
STRIKING APPEAL
 FOR ARMENIANS
Committee Points Out HOr- rible Atrocities Under
 gone at Hands of Turks

The American committee for Armenian relief, in cooperation with the commit tee of mercy, has issued an appeal for | the relief of Armenian refugees who are victims of Turkish persecution. American consuls and missionaries. from personal Knowledge, not only indorse the truth fulness of reported atrocities, but em- phasize the urgency of immediate aid being given to these sufferers
 From these same sources comes the 1 information that of the 100000 Armen- ians in Turkey one year ago, at least 100000 have been slain, driven from the country, forced in Islam, have perished on the way to exile or been deported There are 6O0,OOO Armenians still in Tur- key, 225,00O refugees are in the four Rus sian provinces bordering on Turkey and the Caucasus, the United States consul at Aleppo reports over 15O,0oo exiles in this district alone, 4OOO have escaped to Egypt while many have fled into Persia where there are 70OO0 Christians in pitt full condition.
 Nowhere in the worlds history" says this appeal, "can a page be found to parallel that upon which are recorded the inhrman brutalities practiced by the
 
 people," Direct and authentic records tell how men are being subjected to in- human tortures until death relieves them some four or five being placed one in front of the other in order that one bullet will suffice to end their lives. The men of the army were the first to be brutally siain and then horribly tortured civilians followed. Armenian professors, with high degrees from American and European universities, along with these other un- fortunates, were tortured by pulling out their hair, beard and finger nails by burning and cutting off their toes and by beating. Even the garb of the priests did not save them from brutal murder
 Women, children, the sick and aged were compelled at moments notice to start on foot on Journey to unknown exile. Mothers were torn from their children and were compelled either to leave the little ones behind or witenss the brutal killing of them. Women giving birth to children on the road were not allowed moments delay. but were forced by the whiplash to continue their march until they dropped out of sheer suffering or from exhaustion to die. The crimes of which the Armenian women have been made the victims are too cruel and horrible for words. The more attrac- tive women and girls are made the prey Of their guards and the ruffians of will lages and mountain passes. Hundreds of 1nutiiated corpses of other women bear mute testimony to this reign of inhuman barbarity and persecution.
 Helpless little children are among these victims. A United States consul reported that he saw many of them killed by beat ing their brains out against the rocks. Other children were thrown into rivers and those who could swim were shot down as they struggled in the water. Children as well as their helpless elders were brained with clubs or beaten to death.
 This is the plight today of the Armen- ian people, now staggering under the un- provoked blows of assassins and calling in desperation to the civilized world for assistance to save the remnant of the race. This is the fate that has befallen thousands upon thousands of one of the oldest and most notable of ancient races the first nation to adopt Christianity as it's national religion.
 It is for these sufferers that an ap- peal is made to the generous hearted Americans. Not only are these refugees in desperate ned of immediate relief, but all funds provided for them are most judiciously expended It is a matter of record that 10000 Armenians in Persia