davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1918-05-17
AN OFFICIAL DOCUMENT

American diplomatic and consular
representatives and other American
residents recently returned from
Western Asia, assure me that many
thousands of lives were saved from
starvation by the gifts of the Ameri-
can people last winter. They also
bring full assurance Of the continued
effective distribution Of relief and re-
mort that the suffering and death from
exposure and starvation will inevitably
be very much greater this winter than
last unless the survivors can be helped
by further contributions from Amer
lea.
Reports indicate that OF orphans
alone there are more than 100000, be-
sides women and other dependent
children, reaching total Of more than
1000 900 destitute survivors. The sit
nation is so distressing as to make a
special appeal to the sympathies of all.
In view of the urgent need | call
again upon the people OF the United
States to make such further contribu-
lions as they feel disposed, in their
sympathy and generosity for the aid
Of these suffering peoples. Contribu-
tons may be made through the Amer
lean Red Cross, Washington, d. c.,
or direct to the American Committee
for Armenian and Syrian Relief,
Cleveland H. Dodge, treasurer, One
Madison Avenue, New York City.
WOODROW WILSON.
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1918-05-17
MoHAMMEDANS MOVED BY
CHRISTIAN ACTS
BY DR.. Frederick G. Coan,
Distinguished American, Many Years
Resident Of Turkey, an Eye-Wit-
ness OF Deportations and
Massacres.

Massacres.
Today, after over three years OF
terrible war, thousands OF Christian
congregations are scattered, schools
are closed, churches and other prop
erty lie in ruin, and millions have been
massacred, while the wretched rem
nants of the martyred nations scat
tered everywhere, homeless, naked
and starving, are refugees whose con-
ditions beggar description.
We can never forget that great
martyr throng died for their faith
This awful storm has been test OF
their fidelity and loyalty to Christ and
millions have proved faithful,
Again, no massacr or human
cruelty has been able to crush the
spirit of many who have suffered SO
terribly. They are wonderfully brave
and patient in their suffering. | have
heard many say: Never mind what
has gone, what we have suffered, il
only such things are made impossible
for our children in the future"
Many have gone back to their
homes, where all is ruin and are ready
to begin again and rebuild, If satisfied
that they will be protected.
| was riding by ruined Armenian
village one day when my Turkish
guard stopped and began to curse.
Look at that" he said. Three years
ago we completely destroyed that viii
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1918-05-17

and general ability are concerned.
Without them the country must
miserably go TO ruin. The committee
therefore now is collecting funds for
keeping the refugees alive, but is look
work Of repatriation, which will mean
the moving OF more than Z,000,O 900 des-
titute and stricken people-some OF
them across a thousan ! miles of in
tervening territory-and their re-
establishment in their homes upon a
self-supporting basis.
Persia committee asks American APP
proval for the inclusion of special re-
lief work for another Proup of 10000
driven from home by war. Villages
destroyed. Extreme restitution. AT
least children should be saved. No
hope except America. Wholesale re-
lief is most strategic measure for
race problem. This the most AFFECT
case of suffering we have seen. They
come pleading for work until it seems
sometimes as though we must go
crazy from being constantly compelled
to refuse them. 1t is one constant
stream of ragged, .forlorn women with
drawn faces, begging with tears, and
demanding work 1t is impossible for
the people to return to their old
homes; conditions are too uncertain.
Local farmers and merchants feel the
stress of the times too much to en-
ploy help, so the refugees are depend
ent almost wholly on charity. 1t IS
pitiful to see people once well to do
now begging.
1t seems inconceivable that in this
day and age, human beings could
cruelty, drown, tear to pieces, burn by
wholesale, other human beings.
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1918-05-17

son of a Moslem priest, and again to
the son of Kurdish chief. AT one
time. upon her absolute refusal to
marry and change her religion, she
was beaten until she became sick. A
Kurdish woman pitied her and bought
her for $50 She was cared for until
her final escape with the family that
had protected her to the Russian lines,
The Kurds had looted and pillaged
until one man had 28 rooms full of
plumber. He soon found he couldn't
buy from the distributors and he was
hungry. The loot would not serve as
bread, and at last he ca bringing all
that he had stolen to the relief agents.
Some of these Kurds instead of being
robbers became helpers.
Mother" sobbed little child just
outside a relief station, don't God
send usebread?" "Yes, my child. God
makes the wheat to grow and that
means bread. Don't cry; the kind
Americans will give us Gods bread
Wen have to wait in line"
The last news received from Syria
and Palestine confirm the tidings that
the present conditions in that country
are of the worst. Thousands of the
people are dying from hunger, and il
is asserted on good authority that in
one province alone $4,000 persons
have so died.
The three races that are suffering
most~severely from this blow are tn,
backbone of the Turkish empire, 81
far as industry, intelligence, enterprise
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1918-05-17

end of their days. Help feed these
people Help bind up their wounds.
1t is little TO do and the reward IS
great and sure.
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1918-05-17

| have taken over the wool and cot
ton carding and spinning industries
here in Erivan. We now have 1851
women and about fifty men in the
Erivan carding and spinning alone.
We are glad for the funds that are
coming. They relieve a lot OF distress.
1t is a great satisfaction to know that
some thousands have clothing and
bedding and other thousands food,
much of it earned in our own shops.
BY this means the women are free
from temptations which are terrific,
as we'll as being assisted in forgetting
the horrors which they have so re-
Gently passed through.
The army ration department is al
lowing us to purchase most of our
food at the military rate, which will
save a considerable sum each month.
Lastly, we have obtained first order
OF work from the ordnance depart
ment, for the washing and mendlng OF
large quantity of army clothing. We
hope to give the satisfaction necessary
to obtain further orders. Everyone
recognizes the necessity OF getting
work for the bigger girls, in order
that they shall not only assist in their
own support, but also that they m y
not remain unoccupied during great
part of the day. Of course the little
boys and girls go to school. AS a
number of the inmates of the orphan
age are reported to be skillful with the
needle (many of the Armenian women
of the North do extremely fine work.
they will begin to prepare articles for
a sale of work later on in the year.
Conditions reported in previous
| kilograms now more acute. Strongly
urge need of support for fatherless
children in their homes, 5000 now on
our lists; about $4,000 others require
immediate help, widows as we'll as
children. Thus aided, families are in
tact; no funds available at present for
this department.
1t is hard for decently fed Ameri-
cans to conceive of the horrible depths
to which helpless Armenian children
have had to go for food" that is not
food. American consuls have seen
them in crowds quarreling over the
diseased flesh left on the carcasses Of
| dead animals in the streets. Discarded
Feelings and we'll nigh unspeakable
garbage are prizes.
We gave relief to about $4,000 il
the mountains and Beirut district. The
people bake their bread in loave:
which weigh about one and a hal
pounds Every individual gets {
quarter of loaf day. Fifteen thou.
sand people were receiving this ration
They had to make Breakfast, dinner
and supper of it. 1t was not much
but it kept them from starvation.
In Aleppo the largest single relic
measure has been an orphanage caring
for 1000 children. 1t cost about 2!
| piasters per day per child, and ever
then the children work from morning
to night The orphanag uses its owr
| flour mill and makes its own bread
There are shoe making and repairing
departments. Cows are kept and but
ter made for sale. Children peddl,
about town the vegetables they hell
to garden. Children are learning lact
making, weaving, carpentry, etc.
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1918-05-17
INCIDENTS TO STIR ONES
S0ITI,


1t gives some idea of the appalling
catastrophe that has overtaken this
people when one considers that out of
a population of about 100000 refugees
in this province, fully 10000 are
fatherless children. To these must be
added also many more in the Baku,
Kars and Erzroom regions.
America did not realize the hunger
that existed in some parts of Turkey.
| can best illustrate it by telling you
about a little boy who was brought
to one Of the hospitals. His condi-
ton was such that he could not eat
solid food, but he cried for piece of
bread. When the physicians told him
he couldn't eat bread he said he didn't
want to eat it, he just wanted to put
it under his pillow so that he could
feel that food was near.
An American doctor coming down
the mountain side from the Lebanon
noticed in the distance a throng of
children and wondered why so many
were gathered in one place. Upon
coming near he discovered that a
camel had died by the roadside and
these famished children were in des-
peration picking the last shreds of
flesh from the skeleton of the fallen
beast. Children eagerly picking grains
from the dung of animals in the street
have become common sight.
Tender-hearted American women
have been compelled to steel them
selves against the sight of children in
the street dying for lack of food-to
pass by without helping, having no
resources to warrant adding one more
to the number already being fed.
A hard task is assigned the mission
aries, that of practical signing the
death sentence of children. For ex-
ample, IN one case there were 430 chill
dren with funds sufficient for only
seventy. The missionaries were
forced to select the seventy and say
no to the equally or possibly more
destitute 800.
So far as Syria is concerned Beirut,
Palestine and the Lebanon have suf-
fered most. Many villages have be-
come depopulated. An American pass
ing through a village last summer saw
only one house open. The people had
either migrated or persisted. In one
doorway sat little girl. apparently
alone in the world. She kept saying
over and over, I'm hungryl Pm
hungryl" The children in all the vii
lagos look like old men and women.
In Aleith no grapes are expected be-
cause children have eaten the shoots
and young leaves. The mulberry
orchards were planted with wheat, but
in many cases children have plucked
the wheat to eat the seeds clinging
to the roots.
Great as is the tragedy of massacre,
greater tragedy was the forced de-
portations, 100000 women and chill
| dren from one district alone. 1t is ter
rible to contemplate their fate after
the war. The nations should provide
means for searching out and restoring
any survivors to their homes and
| loved ones.
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1918-05-17

Tender-hearted American women
have been compelled to steel them
selves against the sight of children in
the street dying for lack of food-to
pass by without helping, having no
resources to warrant adding one more
to the number already being fed.
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1918-05-17

1t gives some idea of the appalling
catastrophe that has overtaken this
people when one considers that out of
a population of about 100000 refugees
in this province, fully 10000 are
fatherless children. To these must be
added also many more in the Baku,
Kars and Erzroom regions.
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1918-05-17

Ernest Z. Lazy writes from Bagdad
The stories of horrors, etc, are SINH
lar from all quarters. There is nc
need for one to say over again what
has often been said before. But it is
impossible to exaggerate the or city
and fiendishness OF the deeds perpe-
trated."
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1918-05-17

In deserted village { Asia Miner
one OF our missionaries c me upon a
little girl bout ten years OF age sit
ting on doorstep Her mind was
absolutely blank. She was taken to
the Rellet station, and it was learned
later that this poor child had seen
every member OF her family killed be-
lore her eyes.
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1918-05-17

The three races that are suffering
most~severely from this blow are the
backbone of the Turkish empire, so
far as industry, intelligence, enterprise
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1918-05-17

have taken over the wool and cot
ton carding and spinning industries
here in Erivan. We now have 1850
women and about fifty men in the
Erivan carding and spinning alone.
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1918-05-17

Great as is the tragedy of massacre,
greater tragedy was the forced de-
portations, 100000 women and chill
dren from one district alone. 1t is ter
rible to contemplate their fate after
the war. The nations should provide
means for searching out and restoring
any survivors to their homes and
loved ones
The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1918-05-17

In Aleith no grapes are expected be-
cause children have eaten the shoots
and young leaves. The mulberry
orchards were planted with wheat, but
in many cases children have plucked
the wheat to eat the seeds clinging
to the roots
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-08-15
ADMINISTRATORS is
ACCUSED BY SISTER
Mrs. Sunderland's Brother
Charged With Fraud.

Charges that fraud was practised to
obtain the issuance OF letters of admins
tration in the settlement of the estate of
Margaret Sunderland, who died in a New
York hospital February II and was
buried two days later in Toronto, were
filed In the Surrogates' court yesterday
AS a result Surrogate Fowler suspended
James Clarke as administrator.
Rose Clarke OF 573 West 19lst street, a
sister OF the administrator and also a
sister OF Mrs. Sunderland, charged that
her brothers real home Is in Toronto
but that he told the Surrogate his resi-
dence was at 4 Warwick avenue, or
Boulevard, Jamaica, l.. l., where he
visits occasionally. The hearing will be
in September.
Benno Loewy of 206 Broadway, attor-
ney for the petitioner. filed an affidavit
that he had known Mrs Sunderland sew
eral years and that she had always
shown great hostility to her brother
James and that she had accused him Of
neglecting their mother, who was living
In Toronto Mrs. Sunderland, he said,
sent regular remittances for her support.
Loewy says he advised Mrs Sunderland
to make a will, as II she did not a por-
tion of her property would go to her
brother
Mrs, Sunderland refused Loewy said,
giving as her reason that any one who
made a will was likely to die soon after
ward Mrs, Sunderland died intestate
and her brother James was appointed
| administrator.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-08-15
WOMAN IO4 YEARS
OLD TO CELEBRATE
Mrs. Yourth of NeWark W'H
Receive Four Generations.

Five generations will b" rep'' >-
to-day when Mrs Catherine f'N'
ceives her friends and relatives o..
bratIon Of her lO4th brit day an. .'
sary in her home, 40 Dui<aa street Sea
ark. The celebration will be op"n.' "
a communion service conducted
Rev. Rudolph Huelsenhush ~ - \
tines Roman Catholic rhur0n MA
Yourth has observed this custom "'
many birthdays,
A big birthday cake has ho''
pared with lO4 small America ma
adorn the table, Mrs. Nourth las
slightly indisposed for seNcrai da'- .
cause OF cold hut sh" would q.
aside the idea Of the "olehrdt'". .'
tations therefore were sent tn Pho
Herbert, fourteen grandchildren
eight great grandchildrou and onr
great grandchild one OF htr oa'-
is the wife of cant Anthony Wee
manding French mortar Un. ''
France
Mrs Yourth was born n S".'r
in 1914 Her husband died 4 quar-
a century ago.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-08-15
HUGHES'S $1.25 GAS
DECISION BLOCKED
Power of Public Service Com
mission to Fix Rate Is Up
held in Court.
LAW UNCONSTITUTIONAL
Cannot BE Binding on One
Party and Not on Other, Says
Justice Benedict.
LAW UNCONSTITUTIONAL

Cpholding the power OF the Public
service Commission to Ak gas rates.
Supreme Court Justice Benedict in
Brooklyn signed an injunction yester-
day restraining the Brooklyn Borough
Gas Company from charging its Gus
toners more than 95 cents thousand
cubic feet The injunction prevents the
company from making any use OF the
recent decision of ex-Justice Hughes to
the effect that the concern may charge
s1.25 a thousand feet
Justice Benedict holds that the judg-
ment based on MIR Hughes's findings Is
in no way binding on the Public Service
Commission. and was filed Tuesday in
the Manhattan Supreme Court in viola
ton OF the courts preliminary order
staying all proceedings in the action of
the gas company to nulify the COM
missions order of 1918, fixing the 95
cent rate.
Commenting on Mr.. Hughess con-
tention that the law Of 1916 Ia invalid
only so far as the rate is confiscatory
the court said:
THE fallacy Of this line of argu-
rnent seems to me TO be patent. can the
act of 1916, fixing the SO cent rate. be-
ing from it's enactment invalid and not
binding as to the defendant. yet be valid
as to and binding upon the commission
in its relations with tho defendant? And
can It, although invalid as to the de-
PENDANT from its enactment because con-
fiscatory. be nevertheless perfectly valid
in 20 far as It relieves the defendant
from the restrictions of all previously
existing lave?
And can we tolerate for moment
the conclusion to which an affirmative
answer to these questions would lead.
namely. that the defendant is now free
to charge any price he pleases for gas,
however extortionate or oppressive. and
that the Public Service Commission is
powerless to prevent II from so doing?
Il can see no merit in the suggestion
that the act Is only conditionally un-
constitutional so to speak. instead OF
absolutely 80
In conclusion Justice Benedict pointed
out that the gas company, in its Man
haitian action, complained that the 95
cent rate was still in force and that no
higher or lower maximum had been
rSed
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-08-15
TERM OF VOCATIONAL
SCHOOLS EXTENDED
Hylan's Letter Also Keeps
Fairgrounds Open.

Upon receipt Of letter from Mayor
Hylan requesting the continued opera
ton of vocational schools and public
Fairgrounds the Board OF Education yes
terday unanimously voted $4,000 for
the extension OF time. The Fairgrounds
will be open until August 81.
In his letter the Mayor said some one
not connected with the Board of Educa-
tion had notified him that because Of
lack OF funds the schools would be forced
to close. The Mayor urged President
Somers to do everything possible to keep
the schools open and offered the aid OF
policemen TO keep order II necessary.
Mr.. Somers replied that policemen would
not be necessary, as tho children are
welt behaved,
The board adjourned until President
Somers returns from Washington, where
he will confer with the War Industries
Board to obtain needed materials for
school house building here.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-08-15
CATHOLICS PILGRIMS
GO TO COMFY TO-DAY
Feast Of Assumption of Blessed
Virgin Mary Will Be
Observed.

To-day, the feast of the Assumption
of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is oh
served as a holy day OF obligation by
Roman Catholics. II is also the day on
which many OF the faithful visit the
beaches and enter the water as a
preparation for religious duties. This
form of ablution is rractised in many
countries. II Is believed that the
Blessed Virgin releases many souls from
purgatory on this day, besides granting
favors TO her clients.
There Is no place adjacent to New
York where the day is observed with
AS much ceremony as at Coney Island.
Three years ago the custom Of holding
special pilgrimage devotions TO the
Blessed Virgin was naugurated at the
church Of our Lady Of SOlacP. West
Seventeenth street, Concy Island. The
crowds making the pilgrimage have in
crea sed in numbers annually. ard this
year, in view Of the fact that the names
NJ the soldiers and sailors now in ser
vice may be prayed for at every pub
lie service; it ia expected that the
number making the pilgrimage will ex-
coed that of former years,
In this church is the shrine OF Our
Lady of Solace. there being only three
in the United States Those who visit
II obtain the same benefits as could be
had on a visit to a station church in
Rome. The benefit takes the form of
plenary indulgence, which is only
applicable TO the souls in purgatory.
To obtain this Indulgence 1t is first nee
esslry to make confession and then re-
ceive communion. This may be done
in any parish church. A visit to the
shrine and lrayers for the intentions
of the Pope are all that are necessary
to complete the preparation.
The pilgrimage exercises will take
place in tho church at 4 o'clock this
afternoon. The petitions will be read,
followed by n special sermon. after
which will follow the prayers at the
shrine Remembrance will be made of
the American soldiers and sailors.
Then Will follow the procession of the
pilgrims. on the return to the shrine
the candles carried by those in the pro-
cesson will he lit and left TO burn for
their intentions.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-08-15
SIDEWALK DELIVERY
URGED ON CROCERS
Wholesalers Ask Aid in War
Conservation.

The New York Wholesale Grocers AS
ISOLATION is seeking the cooperation Of
retail grocers and delicatessen dealers In
campaign for sidewalk deliveries to
stores in order to conserve men. money
and materials for the Government.
The association makes the following
suggestions:
Accept sidewalk deliveries In al
cases where possible.
Count and check your items care.
fully before signing receipt
Give the driver his receipt promptly
do not delay him unnecessarily.
After receipting for goods move them
Immediately inside your store to avoid
loss by theft.
Report any shortage directly to tho
house at once.
Avoid delays of every description
and cooperate In all possible ways tc
facilitate deliveries.
Combine your regular orders &c
avoid unnecessary extra deliveries"
observance of these suggestions" the
association announces, will help ma.
terially in giving you better service. and
will eliminate unnecessary costly delays
and waste.
1T Is our desire to cooperate with the
Government as well as to give you the
best and cheapest service possible, and
to this end we earnestly urge your coop.
Grafton"
II. NJ. Foster. secretary and genera
manager of tho association, said yester-
day the Sidewalk delivery" applies &c
cities and not to small towns.