The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-08-16

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Greeks Are Destitute Help Is I'm
perative.
\ report dated Bern, Switzerland,
Aug -, tells of the arrival of 100 Pal
estine Jews, principally the wives and
children of men who were naturalized
in the United States years ago.
Come of these refugees told the AS
sociated Press that they had left Jerusa-
lem three months before, but had had
to wait two weeks in Aleppo, five days
in Konia, and six weeks in Constantine
Pile. Other delays were frequent along
the route, the train in which they were
proceeding being held for entire DAYS
at different places.
Concerning the conditions in Pales-
tine, the travellers said that there was
mnch misery. All foodstuffs were ex-
traordinarily high and many people
were dying Of hunger. Bread cost -
piasters, or about 80 cents per kilo.
Formerly. said one OF the travel
American money. especially the poorer
Jews, the Christians and the Greeks
Now American money no longer arrives
and the needs of the people are grow
ing. We willingly left the country
where the government does not care
for the poor people. The Turkish gov
ernmient actually cares only for soldiers
and munition workers. All the railroads
IL. 1 II
portation OF war materials and food
stuffs for the troops. The country near
Jerusalem is extraordinarily fertile, but
in the towns close by, the people are
starving.
The Swiss press is indignant over the
condition of these American Jews from
Palestine and Syrian towns, who have
recently arrived in Switzerland after
eight weeks of travelling under terrible
conditions.
La Suisse saws: :" We have seen many
unfortunate refugees Of several nation
alities pass through our country, but
never have they been so miserable as
4 those Americans.
This last report from Asia Minor con
firms what was said recently BY Abran
II /. Elkus, former ambassador to Turkey
at banquet in New York city, ATTENDED
ibv Mayor Mitchell, George +. Vincent
Oscar $. StrauS, and many other prom
inent men.
The former ambassador told of tn
depleted finances of the country and o
the misery and intense suffering anon,
the people. Food prices. said he
have increased tremendously and tn
value of the Turkish pound has de
creased very much in q comparativel
short time The Turkish paper poun
is nominallv worth $40 When | al
9 rived in Constantinople about yea
ago it was worth in gold $500. Whe
l left Constantinople ON May % il ha
4 deprecated to LOO in gold.
He urged continued support of tn
American Committee for Armenian an
Syrian Relief, which has been distril
! uting money and food in Turkey.
! As this is one of the relief organize
tions invited to join the ccntralize
{ plan advocated by the American Re
Cross, the high praise paid to it by NJ
Elkus attracted attention.
I ''All the people of Turkey, irrcspe,
| tive of race and creed, have sutfere
severely because of the war, said VI
| Elkus - The American Committee fC
| Armenian and Syrian Relief is know
throughout the length and breadth {
| Turkey, and it is the hope of despairin
| and hungry people of many faiths. am
| lin many eases, the only hope.
II Il have no reason to doubt that II
II Turkish government will continue
II permit the proper distribution of relit
II moneys and food as heretofore; in fac
II in conversation with some Of the Turl
II ish ministers they assured me there W;
II no objection to it, if it was properl
II carried ON. Naturally they would pr
:, fer to have it done through the Re
: Crescent society, which is the Turks
organization corresponding to the /
3 ternational Red Cross, but | explaint