The Washington herald., 1916-02-20
AID NEEDED FOR
TURKS VICTIMS
American Relief Committee
Appeals for Funds to Relieve
Armenian Refugees.
DEATH THEIR LEAST PAIN
Mothers Whose Children Have Been
Slaughtered or Sold as Slaves
Now Starving.

New York, Feb. lathe American
Committee for Armenian Relief, in CO.
operation with the Committee Of Mercy,
has issued an appeal for the relief OF
Armenian refugees who are victims OF
Turkish persecution. American Consuls
and missionaries. from personal knowl-
edge, not only endorse the truthfulness
OF reported atrocities. but emphasize the
urgency Of immediate aid being given
to these sufferers.
From these same sources comes the in
formation that of the 100000 Armenians
in Turkey one year ago, at least 100000
have been slain, driven from the coun-
try. forced in Islam, have persisted In
the way to exile or been deported. There
are 5000 Armenians still in Turkey. 225,-
900 refugees are in the four Russian
provinces bordering on Turkey and the
Caucasus, the United States Consul at
Aleppo reports over 10000 exiles in this
district alone, 1900 have escaped TO Egypt
while many have fled into Persia where
there are 1000 Christians in pitiful con-
dition.
Nowhere in the worlds history" says
this appeal can a page be found to
parallel that upon which are recorded
the inhuman brutalities practiced by the
Turks upon the defenseless Armenian
people" Direct and authentic records
tell how men are being subjected to in
human fortunes until death relieves them,
some four or five being placed 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
slain 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 If their toes and
by beating. Even the garb of the priests
did not save them from brutal murder.
Mothers Torn From Children.
Women. children. the sick and aged
were compelled at a 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 witness
the brutal killing OF them. Women
giving birth to children on the road
were not allowed a moments delay but
were forced by the whiplash to con-
tinue their march until they dropped
out of sheer suffering or from eX-
haustion to die. The crimes of which
the Armenian women have been made
the victims are too cruel and horrible
for words. The more attractive wom-
en- and girls are made the prey of their
guards and the ruffisns Of villages and
mountain passes. Hundreds of mutt
lated corpses of other women bear
mute testimony to this reign of in
human barbarity and persecution.
Helpless little children are among
these victims. United States consul
reported that he saw many of them
killed by beating their brains out
against the rocks. Other children were
thrown into rivers and those who could
swim were shot down as they strug-
as their helpless elders were Drained
with clubs or beaten to death.
This is the plight today of the Ar
menian people. now staggering under
the unprovoked blows of assassins and
calling in desperation to the civilized
world for assistance to save the rem
nant of the race. This is the fate that
has befaIIen thousands of one of the
oldest and most notable of ancient
races-the first nation to adopt Christi
anity as its national religion.
Dollar sustains Life for Month.
1t is for these sufferers that an appea!
is made to the generous hearted Ameri-
cans Not only are these refugees in
desperate need OF immediate relief, but
all funds provided for them are most
judiciOusly expended 1t is a matter Of
record that 1000 Armenians in Persia
lived for one month on $4,000. Think of
it-a human being living for one month
on one dollar!
viii you help these sufferers? Won't
you make a generous contribution that
will mean food and clothing for them
and provide shelter that they may have
chance for life? Every dollar con-
tribUted will be devoted in full for this
purpose, all administration expenses
being borne by members of the COM
mittec. The actual work Of relief will be
done by American cOnsuls and American
missionaries, thus guaranteeing that the
proper supplies will be placed where they
are most needed.
Contributions should be sent to Charles
r. Crane, treasurer, the American Com
mittee for Armenian and Syrian Relief,
70 Fifth avenue. New York CitY