Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-21
MISSIONARY TO
PERSIA PREDICTS
CHRISTMAS PEACE

Portland. Ne. July 2o.-"The German
empire will have collapsed and peace
VIII be declared by Christmas day
said Rev. Y. H. Shahbaz Of Urmia. Per-
sia' IN an interview. Austria is now
trying to get out from under Germany's
thumb. She will accomplish this before
long and it will be the first stem in
Germany's downfall. The shoeless and
paUr-shirted Germans today tell the
story of the beginning of the end which
is inevitable"
Duflng the war Rev. Y. H. Shahbaz,
MS wife and three children were held in
captivity by the Turks and Kurds,
while his youngest son and a large num-
Der OF converts were massacred. Endur-
ing suffering and sorrow for six months,
the city was finally liberated by the
Russians, whom Mr.. Shahbaz declares,
are the most humanitarian people of all
Europe. Through the kindness. generos-
ity and sympathy of the Russians. this
destitute family was aided to Petrograd
and thence by the way of Archangel to
will stay until the close of the war.
Then. they expect to return to Persia
Russia Will stand by the Allies to
me nnlSh NO one need worry about
her, asserted Mr. Shahbaz The peo-
pie are wonderful. loyal and kind Even
those who are not Christians have the
spirit Of hospitality and good will. Now,
With the old political order overthrown.
things viii be vastly different in that
country Of the iron laws Russian peo-
pie and Russian politics have always
been tWu very different things. but Rus
STA VIII come out all right; Just watch
and sec. Roots commission was a
splendid thing. and did an immense
amount of good Money and munitions
were sadly needed, but now the army of
100000 with a reserve of 5000, 900
has been started on the road to victory"
The Kaiser will commit suicide
am sure" continued Mr.. Shahbaz He
won't be able to see his lands and pos
sessions slipping from him and though
wish he might not take his own life
think II IS inevitable with a man of
his dispos ton and temperament.
Germany will lose all her colonies"
added Mr.. Shahbaz. when asked what
the map of Europe would probably be
Ike after the peace settlement, and
Turkey Will be divided up between the
different countries, Belgium will be re-
taken by the British for the Belgians.
Alsace Lorraine will be once again un-
der French rule and Poland will be
freed for herself Moreover, think
spain viii in time before a republic
and the Russian. assume control in
Persia
y reacherouS Turkey is not at heart
really with the Germans but the Ger
mans had the Turks in their power at
the start ana they were forced to do
az, Germany d ctated. The Turks are
the most cruel people in Europe and
the kirdest thing they have done is to
XIII outright. Their methods are too
horrible to repeat"
NJ. .;hahbaz is a graduate of Col
gate University. where he was class
mate of Rev. George b. Stair, until re-
Gently pastor of the First Baptist
church Of this city At the age of II,
he came to this country where he was
educated. after which with his Aneri-
can Wife. he returned to his native
country. For tho past II years he has
been a missionary in Persia. Having
crossed the water 13 times he has had
countless experiences but none to com
part with the siege of Urmia City.