The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1916-10-26
AN APPEAL FOR THE
SYRIANS AND ARMENIANS

President Wilson designated Oct.
81 and % as days on which the AM
arican people should be asked to give
for the relief of suffering in Armen-
IA and Syria. Governor Trammell by
set apart October D
and %. But the time was too short
to get ready for this great work of
philanthropy. The committee in New
York has been swamped by requests
for literature and information. The
time has been by general consent ex-
tended. Some offerings have already
been made in Qcala. DR.. Gross pre-
scented the matter to his congregation
last Sunday and on Monday trans
mitted about $40 which had been put
into his hands for that purpose. The
undersigned sent forward S42.25 on
Tuesday, that had been voluntarily
given for this purpose.
I desire to say that will forward
any sums which may be put into my
hands for this purpose, and will give
any information that may be request
ed.
There is a peculiar call for the gen
crosby of the American people in
this case. There is plenty of suffer
ing in Belgium and Poland, but this
is occasioned by political conditions
The Armenian and Syrian people have
suffered and are now suffering be.
cause they are Christians. For cen.
turtles they have held on to THEN
faith in Christ, limited though it may
be, in the face of religious bigotrs
and hatred on the part of their rulers
They could have purchased immunit.
by becoming Mohammedan. Blu
now in the war madness that is ours
ing the East the Turk has believed
that it is his time to annihilate thes,
peoples who have SO long and hero
ically withstood proselytism.
The story of their wrongs is an ap
lpalling one. It has been told by mis-
lsionaries, by foreign consuls, by re
ports of eye-witnesses. Viscoun
James Bryce, SO long and favorabl.
known throughout the United States
has gathered and published a volum
nous report of the atrocities whicl
have been inflicted upon helpless
men, women and children in Armeni
and Syria. It makes ones blood ru
cold to read it. The moral indigna
ton of red-blooded men cries out i
prayer that the God of the helpless
shall find way for his vengeance t
fall upon all who have been guilty o
this fiendish business.
/ Out of total Armenian populatio
lof Turkey, Persia and Syria of tw
millions before the war, $4,000 flav
been massacred, or died of wounds
disease, or exhaustion. OF the Sy
rians 100000 have persisted. Tt
estimated that $5,0O0,000 is needed I
lprovide for the needs of the Twin
through the coming winter. The go,
eminent has placed at the service {
the committee of relief a collie
which will be loaded with foodstuff
clothing and other necessities.
do we hear the cry? These al
| times which try mems souls. A pa
of sorrow hangs over the world. TT
sympathies and emotions of men al
| in danger of exhaustion through ovel
strain. The safety for heart and col
science and will is to yield to til
benevolent impulses and pour o,
relief for the suffering and need
America is comfortable and rich.
contrast with the peace and qui,
which are ours let us think of II
terror and the strife in Armenia. W
have safe homes, and the sweet con
forts of the undisturbed comradeshi
of those we love- Their homes are
ruins; they are in lonely exile, and
place of family comfort there al
only ruined or confscated home
starving bodies, stunned minds, sha
,, tered nerves, bruiser hearts. Wit
loneliness and pain and terror and III
, certainty and hunger and cruelty ar
hate they keep constant vigil. III
moan of race moves out across
stricken world"
!, If the love of God is in your hea
those who read will help.
John r. Herndon.