Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-10-30
ARMENIAN AND SYRIAN REFU-
GEES IN CAUCASUS NEED IN;
MEDIATE ASSISTANCE.
TURKS MAKE THREE DRIVES
AGAINST RUSS SUBJECTS
American Relief Work Already Elk.
tensive-Total Of 100000 Refugees,
Most Of Them Without Employment
or Funds-Women Walk Miles in
Order to Obtain Work.


sand fatherless children Of Armenian
and Syrian refugees in the Caucasus
are in need Of immediate aid to save
them from decentralization and starva-
tion, it was declared here today by the
Rev. F. w. Macallum, missionary in
Turkey for the American board Of
foreign Emissions Just returned
from relief work at Tilis and
vicinity. In the Caucasus, which
he described as mountainous with
severe winters. he said there are $780,
600 Armenian and Syrian refugees
from Turkey, mostly women and child
rem, as the men were massacred by
the Turks.
THE Turks made three drives
against Russia which brought into the
Caucasus, which is Russian. large
numbers Of refugees" he said. I'm
1914 more than $4,000 Armenians fled
before the Turkish advance. The next
year 10000 more migrated.
THE third drive is known as the
Alashgert campaign Of July. 1915 The
Armenians Of the district Of Alash-
CERT in Turkey were by 1t compelled
to flee to the Causasus. It also caused
the evacuation of the city Of Van by
the Russians. This city has been de-
Tended in April and May by the Ar
menian population against strong
Turkish army. Russian aid had arriy-
ed just In time to save 1t and the
Turks ran away. but when the Rus
slams heard OF the Turkish advance
toward Alashgert. fearing their line
of retreat might be cut off, they eyac-
uated Van and retreated to the eau
casus taking with them all the Ar
menians and Syrians there.
Theusa nds- Already Dead.
This was by far the largest influx
Of refugees. They were attacked by
Kurds on the way and 1000 were
killed. About 10000 died OF cholera,
typhoid and typhus after reaching
Russia. The total number Of refugees
from Van and vicinity was about 200,-
900. In these ways some 100000 peo-
pie came to the Caucasus in great des-
titution. after losing large numbers. es-
pecial1y Of men and all their possess
sions.
Relief work by the American Com
mittee for Armenian and Syrian Re-
lief began in January. 1916, and is still
going on and growing in extent and
Importance. The Russian government
has helped the refugees generously,
having given them up to the present
nearly s1o0o0000. This supplied them
with food, paid their rent and made it
"a pro@jdo For ,hnn oroh,ne
but owing to the financial difficulties
of the government this aid Is now cut
Off.
American Aid Extensive.
The American committee has given
coltbing and bedding to $4,000 Of the
most needy refugees and has also pro-
vided large quantities of tea, sugar,
kerosene and fuel where most needed
During the summer of 1916 the work
OF repatriation was undertaken and
hundreds OF farmers were returned to
their homes in the province of Van and
supplied with oxen. plows seed and so
forth. This most promising work,
however. was interrupted by the evac-
uation OF that region by the Russians
in August, 1916. and the committee has
ueCluSu lHdt the tlIle LOT repatriation
on large scale will be only after final
victory over the Turks has been won
Among the refugees are compare
lively few men as more Of them than of
women and children fell in the mas
sacres. AS a result there are In the
Caucasus today 10000 fatherless chill
dren in need of immediate aid OF .hese
the American committee is already
helping 5000 by giving them a small
monthly grant for food in their homes.
Fifteen thousand more appeal for
similar help but no funds are avail
able at present. The committee is now
organizing an orphanage for 800 boys
in Erivan. Boys OF good intelligence
and sound physique will be taken in
with view to quick training in trades.
farming and education. These boys
will be prepared to act az leaders along
these lines and fitted to take the place
Of the artisans, industrial leaders and
teachers who were killed.
Refugees Number 100000.
"Of the 100000 refugees in the eau