The Washington times., 1918-09-29
Turks and Kurds and the Wicked
Harems of the Sultans Bloodthirsty Officials
Reveals, for the First Time. the Details Of the
Wholesale Massacres and Seizure Of Thousands
of Young Women. Which She Witnessed

felt very old and worn outnot if really but
little over fourteen. But knew would soon be carried
into of these Turkish houses and lost perhaps forever
If soldiers or Turkish gendames should catch me at large
I hid in little areaway
Suddenly realized that was huggng the walls Of
house which hung the American flag feeling Of
relief came The American flag very beautiful
to the eyes of all Armenans For many years has been
to my people the promise of peace and happiness We
had heard much Of the wonderful country it repre-
sented have learned to love it now because too have
found safety and friends beneath it.
When the street clear left my hiding place and
went to the door leading into the house raped but
group Of residents entered the street Just then and spied
They were citizens not soldiers but they shouted
and started to run at me- recognising me perhaps from
the bits of garments which had managed to gather to
cover my body, as an Armenian.
screamed and pushed at the door. It opened and
found myself in the arms Of lady who was coming to
let me in.
was too frightened to explain The Turks were at
the door. thought would be carried away. Turk
pushed himself into the into which the front
door opened Another followed and they reached their
The lady, who was not Turkish, stepped in front of
me. "What do You wantf-Why are you heref" she
asked in Turkish. "The gir-we want her. She has
escaped" they said.
''You will not take her. You have no authority You
must leave this house. This young woman is my guest
By now I knew the lady was American. She seemed
to be alone In the house. But she not afraid The
Turks moved as if to take from her by force She
Just Strengthened up and stood firmly in front of them
"The girl belongs to She has run away from the
refugees The Mutassarf has ordered citizens to take
escaped refugees into custody We must have her. said
the Turks.
"Your Mutassarif's orders have nothing to do with
me- shall protect the girl with my life You dare not
harm an Americana said the lady. Then the Turks
grumbng among themselves and threatening vengeance
went out. The lady took me in her arms.
She told me she was Miss McLaine, American mis-
sonary The house the home Of the American consul
at Maatia, but he had taken his wife, who was i'll to
Harpout Miss McLaine kept the American flag flying
while they gone She had tried to persuade the
officials to be less cruel to the refugees but could do
very little.
Miss McLaine gave me breakfast and bandaged my
feet. She tried to comfort told her how had
there and she promised to help find my mothers
party if it by. Miss McIaine had been pupil
of Dr. Clarence USHER the noted American missionary
surgeon of New York, and Mrs. USHER both of whom
famous throughout Armenia for their defiance of the
Turks and their kindnesses to our people during the
massacres at Van. Miss McLaine told me much about
Mrs. USHER who had saved the lives of many Armenians
Afterward learned that even while Miss MeLane was
telling of her, that very day. Mrs. Usher was killed
at Van.
Late that day a squad of soldiers came from the
Mutassarf to the consus house and demanded of Miss
McIaine that 'the girl she hiding be given up to
them. Miss McLaine again refused to surrender me.
Dr. Clarence D. Usher. of New York the
y Famous American Surgeon, Who Was
81 in Turkey When the MasSacIes
4 Began, and Who Earned the