Norwich bulletin., 1916-02-21

quarters and when we demurred at the large number he insisted on fifty or none. If we refused to accept the fifty soldiers he ordered us to give him a paper stating that we had refused the protection of the Ottoman gov- ernment. This we of course could not do and expect our government to hold Turkey responsible for the loss him such a paper 1t was probable that he would have set upon our premises, murdered all within and then represented that the ArmenianS had committed the outrage. He would have represented to our government that we had refused the protection of the Ottoman government and Ameri- ca would never have known just what had happened. To give him such a paper would have endangered every American life in Turkey.
 Our premises were granted us by special orders of the Sultan in rec ognitfon of our services. We warned the governor that any attempt to send Turkish soldiers into the Armenian headquarters would arouse the Arme- We consented to receive the soldiers subject to our orders and provided that instructions were given the officers In writing and a copy sent to us, that we might see that they did not ex- ceed their orders.
 We also assured him that we would protect the neutrality of our prem ises and we would permit no one to fire a shot from our premises unless it were by our permission. He knew that we meant what we said and did not send the soldiers.
 When the reQuisition started sol- diers appeared in our hospital head quarters and demanded us to give them our supplies. We told them we would give or sell what we could hI1t that needed the plies to continue our work They said they would take whatever they wanted.
 Nest of our supplies were in the cellar and to prevent the soldiers from going down I stood on the door. FNouS soldiers were ordered to remove R11a from the door. They started for me but just as one was about to reach for me, my companion, Rev. B. A. Yarrow seized him and whirled him around until he didn't know where he stood. .I.:ei
 Fighting For a Principle.
 The order was then given to sum- mon twenty gendarmes. Call a hundred gerdarmes if you want to, said Rev. MT. Yarrow. Why. you couldn't withstand a hundred gend- armes, said the commanding officer. Yes we can. said Rev. MT. Narrow, for minute. Then it dawned on him that we were fighting for a principle. If we did not stand up for principle all other American property would be taken. There would be no refuNe for anyone. I tell you this to show you what the Ottoman empire tried to do with foreigners.
 April 18th was the day set for the general massacre of the Armenians and the commanding officer boasted menians in 24 hours. Fifty five thousand Armenians were slaughtered the first day.
 Handful of Men Held Turkish Army.
 April goth they found the Arneni- ans on the debensive at Van. For 2S days a handful of Armenians held the Turkish army at bay. In the walled city there were about 50 de- lenders and though the Turks had cannon and mortars and could even throw hand grenades in the Armeni- an houses, they were unable to get in- to the Armenian quarters. They were pushed back and the Armenians cap- tured and burned the government buildings.
 Huge bombs, weighing s2O pounds and filled with powder were thrown upon the houses. The first ones did great damage but the people soon learned what they were and the brave women stood guard, watching day and night. and the moment they heard the boom of the Turkish mortars they would watch where the bomb fell and | then quickly run to the spot and pour water on the fuse and pull it out l From these bombs the defenders pro- 1 cured powder to refill their cartridges
 American Flag RiddIed.
 From brass trinklets, old copper | ridges, small gun, and they made l their own powder. Our Red Cross | flag was pulled down, the American | flag riddled and shells started pour | ing into our quarters. As I kept about my work they brought me word-a shell has burst in your house. Any one injured? No. Thank God. A few minutes later-one in the boys school. No one hurt. The girls school, aHd so on. But each time there was no one hurt. Then came word that shell had burst in Dr | Reynolds house and a seven year old | girl killed. The mother had fainted | and I knew I was needed. so hurried home to comfort.
 Impelled by some power took my field glasses to the attic of our house | which overlooked the barracks from which we were being bombarded and | saw the Turks preparing to flee. Soon | the barracks were burning and the fear of the Arnenians fell upon the l Turks who fled. Fearing the Turks might return the ArmenlanS plunderec | and burned the Turkish quarters. Two days later the Russian army came and
 we kn1ey why the Turks had fled. Armenians Hopeful and Cheerful. As refugees the contrast between | followers of Islam and Christianity was
 marked. Christianity never appear ed to better advantage. Throughout i the siege the Armenians were hope
 ful, even cheerful and thoughtful oi each other. The Turks, on the other | hand, were hopeless, gloomy, selfish | filthy and lazy, and nothing but g 1 bayonet or club could induce them tC |! do a stroke of work for the common | good.
 In closing pr. Ussher said: Five | dollars a month will provide for one
 How many will you keep alive? ana
 how long will you keep them alive ] Everyone in Van is now in the -hands of Russia. Here the Armenian: can find a home if you will keep then
 alive a few months and help in the reconstruction.
 1 A liberal contribution was taken uI by the ushers at the close of pr | Usshers talk.
 Mayor Murphy announced that any further contributions. large or small may be sent to Col Charles W. Gale at the Thames National bank Col