Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-05-01
MANY THOUSAND
ARMEN|ANS ARE
KILLED BY TURKS
Representative Of American
Relief Committee Prepares
Statement Showing Barbar-
tiles Prior to Evacuation,

ASSOCIATED Press CorresDondenee)
Tiflis Russian Tfanscaucasia,
March 20.--Fifteen thousand Armen-
ians were killed by Turks at Mamak-
hatun prior to the evacuation of Err
zerum, according to a statement pres
pared for the Associated Press by
Richard Hill, local representative OF
the American committee for Armcn-
ian and syrian relief, If New YORK,
More than that. many more, expelled
from Erzerum and surrounding VII
lagos. have dropped out of sight ana
it is assumed that most of them have
met a like fate. II is estimated that
there are 200,0 Armenian refugees
in the Caucasus. They are beginning
TO return TO their homes in large
numbers BY April | it is thought
30 900 will have been repatriated
More than s120, has been expend-
ed by the American committee for
their relief, 175,000 articles of cloth
ing and bedding, several tons of sugar,
tea, soap and Kerosene having been
distributed.
MIR. Hill described interestingly the
almost superhuman achievement Of
the Russian soldiers in scaling the
heights around Erzerum packing
heavy guns piecemeal over the noun
tain ranges preparatory to attacking
the fortresses His information was
gathered from various officials and
army officers who have returned to
Tiflis from Erzerum.
Russian Work Marvellous.
"The work Of the Russian forces
was nothing short of marvellous
writes Mr. Hill They had TO fight
their way from their original position
near sari kamysh, clear up to the
city itself, over roads that beggar de-
scription, The men waded in snow
up 10 their waists, pushed on through
a binding snowstorm. scaled appar-
emily impossible heights all i'm wealth
en- as intense and bitter as that of the
Artic circle. Guns were taken apart
and carried on the backs of soldiers,
hauled up by ropes to the top of cliffs
and then dropped down the icy slopes !
and put together in the clouds from
where they brought terror and con-
sternation to the enemy. Too much /
praise cannot be given to the yalor |
and hardhood of the Russian sol |
dier. An artillery officer who was in |
the fight from the beginning told me |
that the wonders performed and the |
difficulties overcome were every whit |
as great as those which made Napol- |
cons march over the Alps a military |
classic
"The city itself is little If any dam |
aged, the forts even hardly showing
evidence Of severe bomhardment |
When the fall Of the city was immi- |
nent the Turkish soldiers in certain /
quarters began to loot and burn, but /
before much damage was flone the
inhabitants were able to prevent the
fire from spreading. The approach |
of the Russian soldiers caused the |
hooters to beat a hasty retreat \
population Of $4,000 was found In the
place, mostly Turks. Some Persans
and few Greeks made up the re-
mainder. Possibly hundred Afmen-
ians had been able to hide with I
- ttiiNiN ~ Ms aHu were louiiu III lut
city upon its capture. Apart from
these there has been found no traces
Of other Armenians, numbering H.,
600, who were taken from the city |
and sent into the interior in June OF
last year. That Is to say. no word
has come from any Of the men. but
Mr. Stapeton. American missionary
In ErVaflIt,, he's ri tn1 |
some of the women deported at that
time. The whole of the province has
been cleared Of Armenlans with the !
exception of those few who hid in the
city At the same time $1,000 were
sent away from villages nearby. These
were taken as far as Mamakhatun
where they were killed. Other groups
have been sent off at different times.
many Of them, too, no doubt. sharing
the same fate as those from Ererum,
although some hope Is entertained
that many Of them may still be found ,
alive in the region Of Aleppo.'
Relations Are Friendly.
In this connection il is interesting
to learn of an incident occurring inst
prior To the fall Of the city. Taxim
bey the Vail, 1t appears had done All
he could. AS far as he was allowed by
Conslantinople to do. to ease the lot
Of the Armenians. Realizing that the
fan of the city was near he sent for
Mr.. Stapleton and to him delivered n
for the Russian authorities
to the effect that If the Moslem nom
NATION We're not molested BY the Rus
SIAN troops. he would do all he could
70 help the expatriated Arfnenians in
otherwise he would nor
answer for what might happen. It
8 only Just To the Russians 10 saw thar
he relations between the troops and i
he inhabitants are exceedingly friend
". The bazaars and shops are omen
ma the people are glad to sell to the
Russians.
me fall of Erzerum had hardly
'een announced before greups Of Az.
nenians in various parts Of the can
asus began plans for their return |
Many have already gone back ana ?
'thers are only waiting for means 10
hable them to move. The Van PIT
Is ana adjacent vilayets have ALREADY.
'een opened and permission "a W 7
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