The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-09-22
Armenian Obliteration Plan
+ Shown in Continued turkish
Massacres of-the Helpless

The United States government hav-
ing been asked to assume mandate
over Armenia an American mission oil
sixteen mem bers. headed by Major
General James Harbord. U. S. A. ID
now on its way to study social finan-
cial and economic conditions in tina,
suffering country.
In view of that fact the following
articles Is OF particular interest:
BY W. G. SMITH.
American Relief Commission to
Armenia
London, Sept lo.--No one OF the
tragic episodes that have marked the
war exceeded In cruelty the deiiber-
ate massacre and deportation of the
Armenian people of the Turkish En-
pire. -; 50,
Eigat hundred Thousand wa-s
slaughtered or driven In caravans to
die lingering death from hunger and
thirst and exhaustion. Neither age
nor sex nor condition WAS spared
Speaking generally. the surviving
Armenians were, driven over the
northern borders OF Turkey into
Georgia and Russian Armenia. and In
part southwark and eastward into
Syria and Mesopotamia-
/ The. condition of the refugees now
remaining I'm Turkey proper la bad
tno1SH ttltff SunEfiHES HdNe ptfl
greatly mitigated by foreign relief.
The Caucasus presented the most
difficult problem, after actual hostili-
ties were closed. The reserve provi-
sions had been destroyed or carried
away, and the refugees, estimated a,
SOC, 900, could not be fed without i'm
rortation Of food. So soon as the
situation was reported in Ameriea
popular subscriptions were opened
a a. H. L.
00o, 900 has been expended. under the
direction of the Armenian and Syrian
Relief Commission, now merged II
the American committee for the re
lief of tho Near East
This organization has established
torphanages, hospitals, schools ant
factories at many places in the Turk.
ish Empire. In addition to their aid
[aliotments of grain and fpur Nave
sion. under express provision OF tho
law.
Relief was possible mp to the close
of July by reason Of the presence oI
British troops under the command ol
General Milne. guarding the line VI
railway from Ratoum on the Black
Sea to Baku on the Caspian, and run
ming southwark to Erivan, Alexan'
dropol and Kara The centers OF &C,
tlVlJy I0F Inc american TeileI organ
ization were Tiflis. the points jus
named and Sgdeir, with other sta
tions-M arsovan. Sives. Cesarea and
Trebixond.
The Georgian Republic was com,
PEELED to permit passage Of trains
from Tifis southwark into tho tsrri.
tory OF Armenia proper. This coun-
try In surrounded on all sides by hos
tile elements. Kurds, Tartaru and
Turka Notice was served by the
British cabinet on the peace confer
ence, sittingin Paris, as early az last
March that the British troops would
be withdrawn in June. but no or lit.
tie publicity was given To this fact
It was reported during the early sum
mar that Indian troops would repiace
the British. If there was any such
intention II has been given up.
In the closing days Of July public
announcement WAS made thAt all
Dr1ttsh troops would Be withdrawr
late IN August
This was the signal for immediate
activity on the part OF the enemies OF
the Armeniank Sporadic massacre.
~ TArtaxs and Kurds were reported
torsther with the seizure Of trains and
the maaalng Of Turkish troops q
stxaGetac points.
since July ~ tslsgzanns from
lDnuHun 49, 4 Y -