Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-10-22


deaths n day from starvation out of a
population OF s5o.ooo in the Lebanon
Mountains near Beirut. Syria, is the
toll OF famine conditions there result
ing from the war. It was declared here
today by the Rev. William H. Hall Of
tho Syrian Protestant college, who re-
Gently returned 10 this country from
relief work in that district.
Continuing Mr.. Halyl described the
tragic DISAPPOINTMENT Of the people
there whose spirits were kept up for
week. by the promised arrival last
Christmas time NJ the American re-
lief ship Caesar. which would have,
meant life 20 thousands. but which
never arrived owing 10 the refusal of
Germany and Austria-Hungary to
gran, her safe passage TO Beirut.
The Caesar. a naval collier loaned to
the Ped Cross by the navy depart
ment. left New York months before
the entry Of this country into the war,
as q Christmas ship for the needy
IN SYRIA. carrying more than a quar-
ter ~ a million dollars worth Of food
ard clothing contributed in his coun-
try.
DAY after day the poor starving
" nDlf dlONk llf ADdci ~ pu6h
the mountains looked n prayed for
the coming of the American ship"
Mr.. Hall said. The country was can-
vas-ed by we'll organized committees
-h. needy were listed. the work Of dis
trfbutfon was thoroughly prepared. Of
fees e ere opened and men chosen 10
direct the distribution. The people
waited Their hopes were raised high.
Week followed weeek and month
followed month-in suspense the peo-
pie daily looked out 10 sea for her
u The ship which meant life and
hope 20 thousands never appeared. She
was held nv military necessity while
-hs people starved
God has forgotten us" was heard
again and again as hopeless and hungry
they stood face 10 face with death by
starvation.
III the Caesar had arrived It would rave
meant that other ships would follow. but
her failure - come dashed all hope for
relief Her cargo Was sold and the funds
finally found their way 20 Beirut for the
purchase and distribution Of food there.
but there was little food to be bought.
" know for a fact that thousands Of
cu- friends there will die this winter. de-
rpi,e to great good that can be accom-
.nrtef y" sending funds from America
=, hl what food can Re obtained on the
gropns FOR distribution In an effort to
So" =. ANY Sn possible
-Ne c.ty ~ Beirut IL as screly afflicted
a.. Ire rauntsin districts. Mr.. Hall went
~. ard d." Or night one hears the cry
s;e-S the n;rce's I am h~unsry-give me
treas This Ia not from begsars hut
From 'stcr-rs ard ,radesmcn 7eople who
rave known th- comforts ~ life.
'r- Jerusalem" he continued, "one
esrrNt rA.s along y stree. without helrg
N..s. r. rra,ers for AID. There are
r,o,r sr- ~1t, rahes pulling ~ their bar
rem trsar,s aaa children whose parents
hive ~.ur-lmNrd and left them 70 face
starvation a'c-e
svria 3 1-'e.ti-e have 70 stor;
~ r.assr gro or deportation. but these
districts. orce prosperous ard SELF
s4rnn~tinr are now caught in the
ve,ia atri 70. md TIE people are slowly
III, surely starving ~ dce:h tN-orsI
~ faui' ~ thei- own Figures ap.
pail competent n-th"r.ties sSrsrt
that rot less tbs LOO. non rerscas ere
.oda, IN dire distress - tteeo N'7tor!c
rNbie lands.
''Of this number az least lS.o06 are
children below TIE ass o. IL -hoys and
siris md little children vit!. no older
person 60 provide the food without
which they will perish, or 10 soothe the
last hours when hunEar Will have over
come the forces Of nature and the hour
"a. come for them 20 fac the great
eternal without father or mother
near
A plague OF iccusts: the denudins OF
the neids ~ men for the armies. the
hiockade ~ the coast; the lack OF tour
i..s and the breakdown Of transporta-
,ion are given by Mr.. Hail as the rea-
.cns for the failure ~ food and pros
perity IN these lande which boasted
they never could suffer famine" SO
rich was their productivity. But par
iicuiariy were conditions due 20 spec
uiaticn in food supplies by Turkish Of
rciais and their friends. he said.
Same men In high positions. hold
inc the food 81 the country In their
hard.A have gambied with death and
won Mr.. Hall said. The people have
died while they stored away n knows
mo- what ~sortunee IN gold.
The Ottoman government. he said
hss dcne something IN relief meas-
uree IN opening hcepices for children
and distributing food. but such help