The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1917-03-02
war SWEPT CH|Os
The Historic Aegean Island and
Its Stormy Career.
BATHED IN BLOOD BY TURKS.
In 1922 an Army Of MosIsnns Slaughter
cd 10000 OF Its People and PiIiassd
and Burned the lsland-Twics Laid
Waste by Earthquakes.

IUe Acbeun lSlhuu VI NuioS ~ thc
subject of u striking communication
to the National Geographic society
from Ernest Lloyd Harris. part OF
which Is issued as the following bullc-
tin:
"Chios. which Is separated from the
mainland of Asia Minor by the strait
of Chlos, only four and half miles
wide, has long been bone Of con-
tentlon between Turk and Greek, and
during the earlier part OF the nine
teenth century It was the scene OF
some OF the bloodiest tragedies known
to history.
"As early as 200 u. &. it was one of
the richest and most Important mem
bers of the lonian union. ii has dis
puted with Smyrna the honor Of being
the birthplace of Homer. When the
IonIan cities rebcllcd against the Per-
sian yoke Chlos manned and equipped
100 ships and sent them to the bat
tie of Lade. This stands for some
thing when we take into considera-
ton the fact that ut that tlme--name-
iy, 49i L. C.-thc population OF the
island numbered only 10000 freemen
and 100000 slaves.
"Chios has been. IN turn. Ionian. Per
sian, Athenian. Roman, Italian, Tur-
kish, and finally, In 1913. after sep
aration of nearly 1900 years, 1t was
united once more TO the parent coun-
try, Greece. As one may well i'm
agine. little island Of 3iS square
miles which has changed masters SO
many times necessarily must have
suffered much from the strife which
swept over IT,
Twice has this island been visited
by terrible earthquakes. The first was
away back In II A. d., and 1t was
only through the fostering care Of the
Emperor Tibcrius that the people were
able 20 make n fresh start. The sec
ond was In 1881. when the town of
Kastro was practically laid waste.
Mosques, churches and dwelling houses
disappeared into the bowels of the
earth, enguliing no less than 5000 peo-
Pile This earthquake visited the whole
island, and many beautiful and his
toric monasteries, some of which con-
tanned priceless objects OF art, valuable
libraries and monuments of antiquity,
were completely lost.
But In spite OF all these vicissitudes
Chios has also seen many happy days.
Even In the old days Of the lonian
union 1t was celebrated on account OF
It's commerce and Industries. especially
for it's native wine and the manufac-
ture Of beds and sofas. Under Rome
the island was ruled as an insular
province aud enjoyed several hundred
Years OF almost unhrokcn peace and
prosperity,
"Chlos' real troubles virtually began
with the Greek war OF independence.
Somewhat against the will Of the peo-
pie. the island became involved In this
struggle and was visited by massacre
which appalled, humanity. In 1872 the
captain pasha appeared before kaStro
with powerful fleet and landed an
army Of Moslems. who slaughtered la
the space of two months no less than
10000 Chlans, while $1,000 were sold
into slavery. The entire island was
given over to pillagc, and scarcely n
village. church or convent was spared
the flames.
These acts Of fcrocity did not go I'M
avenged. While the Moslems We're raw
aging Chios the Islanders of 'sara and
Hydra were planning an attempt on
the Turkish fleet. which was lying in
the outer harbOr of KastrO. just off the
Genoese citadel The authors OF this
bold strike were Constantine Canaris
and George Pcpines. They arranged
two briggs as fire ships and manned
them with Il chosen band Of desperate
men.
THE lights hanging at the masts OF
the Turkish ships were SO dim that
the Chians we're enabled completely to
surprise the unsuspecting crew at
midnight The brig commanded by
Canaris Immediately grappled with the
captain pasha's flagship aud set il Oh
Gre Pepine WAS equally successful,
and another battleship went up In
flames. With shouts Of Victory TO the
Cross" the old time war cry OF Byzan,
tium, the islanders escaped In Il launch
which they had IN tow without the
loss of single man Practically the
whole OF the captain pasha's fleet was
destroyed, and 1900 lives were lost.
There Is an old Greek monastery
about an hours ride from Kastro
which is grewsOme monument of this
period. Its walls and alcOves are faced
with the skeletons Of the Chiaps mas
sacred IN this nelghborhood.
zone of the chief products Of Chios is
gum mastlc, an astringent which Is
grown In the southern part Of the
island. II Is used a. n gum ana also
distilled as liquid, which Is used
throughout the Eeyant as an appetizer
Immediately before meals. II Is an In
toxicant II used immOderately.
"Onc feature OF the scenery of Chios
Is the picturesque oh windmills which
crown the ridges and slopes along the
coast The wheels are Of very large iii
mansions aud are fitted with sails
which supply the motive power for
grinding corn. Owing 80 the possible
visitation Of earthquakes. the houses
a.