The Washington times., 1918-11-10
By Aurora Mardiganian


whom Agha Bekran paid great respect entered the khan
He a servant but from his clothes knew him to be
the of rich From those of us who were left
he selected three-and of the three He seemed
to be especially pleased with While stood he
barganed with Bekran At last the terms agreed
upon. was bought for ons edjidian-S5 cents
Outside the khan was ARABIA donkey cart The
two other girls and placed in this We were taken
outside the city, to the country house occupied by Devdet
Bey, the Vail of the province of Van who then
mander of the Turkish army operating against the Rus
SLAMS
We were taken to the haremlik, where there were
number of other young Armenian women Before even
ing the kafa, head servant in to u.s. and
asked one by one, if willing to become Moham-
mcdans. The Kalfa explained that only those would
remain in the and keeping of Devdet Bey the mighty
Pacha and have the honor of his protection who willingly
adopted the creed of Islam.
Though he was cruel and as his deeds show the most
INSCRIPTIONS of all Turkish Pachas Djevdet Bey desired
It was made plain to u.s. to Keep within the provisions Of
the fetva issued by Sultan Abdul Hamid and still effect
which pretends to prohibit the ensavey of Armenian and
other Christian girls unless they first become Mohamme
dams.
did not know what the Kalfa would do with me if
refused accept the creed of Islam feared the pun
ishment would be death the public khan once but
could not bring myself to deny God after having
manned faithful to Him so long. l asked Him what /
should do-and His came just clear and direct
when about to my knife outside the rocks of
Dyarbekr have told before. seemed to Father
Rupen the priest and even felt his hand my shout
der again. just when he said to me, Always trust in
God and remain faithful unto Him. l told the Kalfa
could not foreswear my God.
One of the other girls who had been brought Devde
Bey house with refused to give up her religion
to her life. The third girl had suffered much
her heart and soul were broken. She gave way. The
kafa put the other girl and me into another In
little while both of summoned put into separate
arabas and driven away What became of the other little
girl do not know. was taken to the house of Turk
whom soon learned Ahmed Bey, Of the rich
of MouSh a present to Ahmed from Djevdet Bey.
cannot forget the depression that over when
entered the courtyard of Ahmed Bey's house. Twice
before since the depOrtaOns began had been taken
captive into the houses of Turks and left at their mercy
Yet now, seemed TO feel all my hopes disappear
Perhaps it because the house of Ahmed outside
the city, in the painsas prison would be. And there
twentyfour other girls in the haremk, each with
her memory of suferngs, more terrible even,
of them, than had been my
Ahmed Bey himself very old, yet of these
twenyfOur girls had been sacrificed to him. The others
divided between his two Ahmed was perhaps
truer type of the fanaea Turk than any whose victims
had yet been His interest seemed not be much in
the young themselves in the children which he
wanted them to bear to his sons-children in whom the
blood of the noble Armenian might be blended with
that the savage Turk and who might live to perpetuate
the strain of his family.
was not summoned before Ahmed Bey until the next
day He had me brought to him in the selamlik-the
mems apartments. ] had asked for clothing, but the
haremlik attaches would not give any, would they
allow to accept garments from the other girls in the
harem Not until Ahmed indicates his DESIRES the
answer of the Kalfa to my pleadngs.
Ahmed Bey spoke to me gently but it was with the
gentleness that hurts than blows. g" to be
of the favored of his women he sad because had
been sent his house by His Excellency, DeVde Bey
He gave sign and little slave girl appeared with the
rich dress of favored Turkish girl MANY of these and
many ornaments, well kindness and affection shall
be yours long you obedent and respectful"
Ahmed said. First, you shall renOunce the God you
have been taught to worship and accept the forgiveness
of Allah and Mohapmed, his prophet"
told him weary of suffering but that had
that / would not desert Him. At this Ahmed became
furious All his gentleness passed away. He trembled
in his anger He upbraided me and my people and bias
phemed my religion cried with shame at hearing him,
but he had pity. pleaded with him to free me- that
might return to my mothers party and told him Of the
paper given my mother by Haidar Pachs of Ourfa But
he would not listen.
The little slave was sent from the room. to