The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1917-10-24
STARVATION CLAIMS
A THOUSAND LIVES
DAILY NEAR BEIRUT


Ing from war. il was declared here by
the Rev. William IT, Hall of the Syrian
Protestant College, who recently re-
turned to- this country from relief
work tn that district
Continuing Mr.. Hail described the
tragic disappointment u the people
there. whose spirits we're Kept NJ FOR
weeks by the promised arrival last
Christmas time of the American relief
ship Caesar. which would have meant
life 70 thousands, hut which never ar
rived owing the refusal Of Germany
and Austria-Hungary 20 grant her safe
pc usage 20 Recruit.
The Caesar. q naval collier loaned
"a the Red cross by the navy depart
ment. left New York months before
the entry ~ this country into the war.
~ a Christmas ship for the needy
In syria, carrying more han a quarter
of u million dollars worth II foo and
clothing contributed la his ,onntry
Day after day the poor, stavins
people along the coast and through
the mountains looked and prayed for
the coming Of the American ship
Mi. Han said The country was cam.
Ntssed by well organized committees.
the needy were listed, the work n
distribution was thoroughly prepared,
offices were opened and men chosen
to dircct the distribution. The people
waited Their hopes were raised high
Wcck followed week and month
followed month-in suspense the neo-
pie daily looked out TO sea for her
but the ship which meant life and
hope 90 thousands never appeared She
was held hy military necessity white
the people starved
D'uG has forgotten u.s. was heard
again and again les hopeless and hun
CRY they stood face to face with death
by starvation.
"lf the Caesar had arrived II would
have meant that other ships would fol-
low but her failure To- come dashed
an hope FOR relief. Her cargo was
sold aud the funds finally found their
way tu Beirut for the purchase aud
distribution ~ food there. hut there
was little food ro Dee bought
We know for . Iact tha' thousands
~ our friend, there vii die this win
ter despite the great good hut can
be accomplished by sending funds
uom America Co huv what food can
be- obtained of the ground for distri-
button In an effort 90 save as many
as possible
The city % Beirut Is As sorely AZ
fllctod ls the mountain districts. Mr
Han went ON ana day OF night one
hears the cry along the streets Il an
hungry give me bread This w not
from bcggars but from laborers ana
tradcsmcu. people who ave known
the comforts Of lie.
In Jerusalem" ne continued, zone
cannot pass along a street without
being beset FOR prayers for aid There
are mothers with babes pulling az
then barren breasts and children
whose parents have sucCumhed ard
left them 10 face starvation alone.
syria and Palestine have no story
~ massacre or deportation, hut these
districts. once prosperous aud self
supporting are now caught In the
world strife. and the people are slowly
! hut surely starving TO death through
no fault OF their own Figures apTHll
one-competeut authorities assert
that not less than l. 900, 900 persons
are today In dire distress IN these his
toric Bible lands,
'Of this number at least 20 geo are
L illlfAlfA nfltN INV Akf VI - wv ~
land girls and little children with no
older person TO provide the food with
out which they will perish or to soothe
the last hours when hunger viii have
overcome the forces ~ nature and the
hour has come for them 10 face the
great eternal without father or mother
near
\ plague Of locusts, the dcnudins
Of the fields of men FOR the armies
the hlockad" of the coast the lack oi
tourists and the breakdown ~ trans
|portutiUn are x incvh 1895 l2346l2A
portaiiou are given hy Mr. Han as the
reasuus for the failure 81 q % and
prosperity m these lands which
boosted they never could suffer fam
Inc. So rich was their productivity
But PARTICULAR ywere conditions due
10 speculation in food supplies b,
IrurFish officials and their friends, he
said.
some men In high positions hold.
iug the food ~ the country In theii
hands have gamhled with death am
won Mr. Han said The people have
died while they stored away ouc know
not what fortunes m gold
The ottoman government he said
has tone somcthiug in relief measure
% opeuing hu-piccs Tor children on'
distributing food, nut such help hn
reached only q few thousands. Will
the work OF the American Red eros
1t Beirut wl- stopped % WITH" hr"'klui
off Of diplomatic relations hctwce
fish couutr, and Turkey
"But relief MONEY, can Vet he son
10 buy and distribute food, as Their
are sttll enough American mission
aries remaining iu tho country 20 az
tend 90 IT," ne added The who.
people cannot he saved nut q goo
number can Doe. and ever q remnant
worth saving Their is a land while
historically has q claim upon IN
charity Of the world hut It's chic
claim nov IS no, historical, 1t Is hu
man We are iu q war 90 ihcr1te hu
manity II Is on this ground that Syri
appeals TO the world
"The funds collected In this c0ur
try hs the American Committee Z,
Armenian and syrian Relief are beiu
Il dlsbursod through these American
j Missionaries aud ttlDhers 4 the Amer