The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-07-15

Now that the ban is off ard Ameri-
cans interested in missions in Turkey
are permitted to speak freely. all sorts
OF interesting stories are being told
about conditions there. Some Of the
cryptic messages that came out OF the
Ottoman empire are also being explain
ed. Many American missionaries
practically all who are permitted to do
work-have elected TO remain at their
posts. even though America has broken
with Turkey.
Two reasons exist for this. One is
that the missionaries are willing TO take
all chances in order TO be able TO extend
relief work TO the suffering Americans,
syrians. Greeks and Turks. The other
is that they count on the friendship of
the officials. The break with America
came as the result Of German pressure,
chiefly through Enver Pasha, the prime
minister. II would never have come II
Turkey had been permitted to act of
her own free will.
In addition 10 this relief work. the
sick and wounded prisoners. The power
and efficiency Of a westerner, in coun-
Try like Turkey. is really beyond calcu-
lation one woman. Miss Graffam, Of
Sivas, after heroic experiences in con-
nection with Armenian relief. has elect
ed TO stay in that city the only foreign
er there. She is not the only heroine
in the present days Of Turkey, however,
Mrs Christie alone represents the west
in Tarsus.
Getting Out the News.
Those missionaries who have been
forced to leave are able to carry a con-
firmation and explanation Of hidden
messages that got past the censor in the
days when communication Of sorts was
permitted From Harput has come the
word, For weeks a strange bird has
been perched upon the hills above the
plain" This was the first news that
America had that the Russian forces
for Of course the Russian eagle was
meant-had penetrated that far west in
their Caucasian campaign.
From another city the word came.
Many members OF the Atkins family
have visited us lately, and our hospi-
tality has been heavily drawn upon. We
have found good use for our Episcopal
prayer books" Being interpreted this
meant that the British prisoners were
passing through the city and that all
were hungry. that many were sick. and
that the prayer book was needed for
burial services.
An official statement has recently
been made by Dr.. Cornelius II. Patton,
secretary Of the American board, upon
the conditions in Turkey. Dr. Patton
says
"A blow has fallen and the first feel
ing is one Of relief. At least the agony
OF uncertainty is over. We know that
technically we are belligerents and not
friends in the eyes Of the German. Aus
trian. Bulgarian and Turkish officials.
The second feeling is one Of salts.
faction TO find that our missionaries
under these flags are not regarded with
disfavor by the officials. We do not
fear for their personal safety or partic-
ularly as TO their freedom. The German
consul at Sivas has been most kind 10
at that point. and the Turkish governor
recently sent her presents OF flour, su
gar. coffee. tea and ola boon indeed
Priest Prays for American Doctor.
when DIR. Cyril Haas. Of our interna.
tional hospital at Adana, was III OF ty.
phus. the imam CMohammedan priest
and several Turkish notables went TO
the Doctors house and offered prayers
for the recovery of "the doctor effendi,
who cannot be spared from the coun.
try" He is reported out of danger. Miss
Davies being also i'll, an official caused
ice 10 be brought by night from Tarsus
for combating the fever. and this ap.
parently saved her life.
Liberty Of withdrawal was given by
way OF Constantinople. Bulgaria, Aus.
tria and Switzerland. and quite large
partly. mostly women and children.
have taken advantage OF the offer. W.
w Peet. our treasurer at Constantine
pie. prepared the missionaries through.
out Turkey for the break two weeks In
advance, the Turkish censor co-operat.
ing. Dr. Posts hospital at Konia has
been commandeered and Drs. Ward and
Case. OF Constantinople are not allowed
10 practice.
AT the interior stations where relief
work Is possible. the missionaries prefer
10 remain. and In spite OF the upheaval
not a few OF our schools are running.
II Is most significant that the Moslems
are coming 10 our institutions as never
before. There are still ways OF getting
money into the country. and relief work
has not stopped Naturally. the mis-
slonaries are hoping for a speedy Rus
sian advance.
-Four stations are already under the
Russian flag-Trebizond. Erzroo, Bitlis,
Van and these may form the nucleus
OF a Russian mission. The proclama.
ton Of complete religious freedom on
the part Of Russia Is Of the utmost i'm.
portance 10 our work; II opens the way
for large developments IN the Caucasus
region and beyond Already through.
out this region we have a considerable
force on the ground They are busy
disbursing the relief funds sent out from
America and also In ministering to the
stricken people In spiritual ways.
AT Eriyan DR. Reynolds and Mr..
lauow have put thousands Of refugees
90 work making woolen garments al a
living wage, thus stimulating industry
while saving niultitudes OF lives These
missionaries never counted more for the