The Washington times., 1916-10-20
CAPITAL ARMEN|ANS
LOST KIN IN EXILE
Or. N. N. DoImage and A. N.
Barsamian Learn Hope Is
abandoned for Relatives.

Among the many thousands of Ar
menians who lost their lives in the
recent Wholesale expulsion from their
homes In the name of military neces-
sity. after having been subject to un-
speAkable tortures. were members OF
Me Immediate families of two we'll
Known Armenian residents of the Capt.
tals u became known today. They are
NJ M. Dolmage. dentist, with offices
AZ 70 vermont avenue, and A. NJ. Bar
semian, OF the Woodwork apartments.
Without word from any Of their miss
ing relatives since they were driven into
exile at the point Of the Turkish bayo-
me-. 70 race starvation, early in 1915.
thnese two Neutrality-suspicious. had lived In
nope DAY after day that they would
learn that the lives of their dear ones
had been spared.
But these hopes nnally were dashed
wnen word that they undoubtedly had
py the Rev. Theodore Allen Elmer an
american missionary at Marsavon, Tur-
Key, was received here.
Marched Away in 1915.
II was in April 1915, according to Dr.
Eimer's report, that the Turkish tfoops
TOOK possession of Anatolia College, the
Anerican institution at Marsovan, and
converted 1t into a barracks. In the
coilege compound. where they had
sought refuge with many other Armen-
lans, were two sisters. four aunts and
a number of cousins OF DIR. Dolmage.
MT; Barsamian's mother and sister were
with this party.
When the Turkish forces seized the
college property in the name of military
necessity. they herded the Armenians
together and ordered them deported.
with only the few possessions they had
oeen able to take with them into the
college compound, they were lined up
and started afoot or in OK carts. with
out food supplies. from Marsovan Tor
Cnarkishla, a five or six DAYS march
over rocky and desolate country.
Guards Never Made March.
Marsovan. where Anatolla College
was located. is about $50 miles inland
from the Black Sea. Three days out
from Marsovan, DIR. Dolmage says he
learned. the Turkish guards who were
TO act as escorts to the exiled Armen-
1ans, returned to their new quarters in
the American College at Marsovan.
Since then nothing has been heard from
any Of the party.
DR.. Elmer. II Is stated, later went
over the ground covered by the exiles
ana found many bodies of those who
had died from starvation and exhaus-
ton. The American vice consul at
Samsoun made an investigation at
the request of DR.. Dolmage, but he
was unable to report the fate of the
missing relatives of the two Wash
ington residents.
Mr.. Barsamian Lost Brother.
Mr.. Barsamian lost a brother early
In 1915. He with about twenty other
young men of Marsovan, who had
obtained positions of prominence in
the affairs of the community and had
incurred the displeasure OF Turkish
autnorities. were taken from there
70 siVas In Asia Minor. The party
atsteT being held without specific
charges for time. was court-mar.
tlaled and placed in a detention
camp, where Mr.. Barsamian'sS bro.
a 5neS contracted typhoid fever and
died. This treatment, the reports
show. was meted out to these Young
men, after they had embraced Mo-
nanmedanism and accepted commits
sions In the Turkish army. in return
Tor promised immunity for Armenia
women and girls in Marsovan whioh
declared never to have been given,
Were Schoolmates.
Dr' Dolmage and Mr.. Barsamian grew
up together In Marsovan and received
their education at the same time a.,
Anatolia College. Some years ann III an AZ,
became targets for Turkish official dis,
pleasure and were imprisoned FOR n time
Later they obtained their release and
came TO this country.
This confirmation of their worst foo
concerning their missing relatives. has
reached DR.. Dolmage and Mr., Barsa-
man as they are deep In the activities
o. a tne CAMPAIGN to raise relief funds
IT. Dolmage Is secretary OF the Wash
ington auxiliary committee, which is
dnectlng relief work here In connection
Win observance OF the days set aside
an special relief days for Armenlans and
Syrians next Saturday and Sunday.