Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-09-28
PLAN OBL|TERAT|0N
OF ALL ARMEN|ANS
Turks Continue Massacres of
Helpless People of the
Near East.
ORPHANS DOOMED TO STARVE
America Fails to Act on Mandate
and Military Protection
Is Pending.
ORPHANS DOOMED TO STARVE
BY w. G.. SMITH.

thirst and exhaustion. Neither age nor
sex nor condition was spared. Speak
ing generally, the surviving hr!nenians !
were driven over the northern borders
of Turkey into Georgia and Russian
nto syr and
The condition of the refugees now
remaining, in Turkey proper is bad.
greatly mitiEated by foreign relief.
The Caucasus presented the most
difficult problem, after actual HOSTILE
visions had been destroyed or carried
away, and the refugees. estimated at
100000. could not be fed without inn
portation Of food. SO soon as the situa-
ton vas reported in America, popular
subscriptions were opened and up TO
the present time about s25.00O.0oO has
the Armenian and Syrian Relief Com
mission. now merged in the American
Committee for the Relief of the Near
East.
orphnnnEeS. Hospitals, Schools.
This organization has established or
phanages, hospitals. schools and fac
tories at many places in the Turkish
made BY the Hoover commission, under
express provision of the law.
Relief was possible up to tho close
Of July by reason of ,he presence of
British troops under the command of
General Milne guarding the line of
Sea- 20 Baku. on the Caspian, and run
ming southwark to Erivan, Alexandra
pol and kars. The centers of activity
for the American relief organiza ton
were Tifis, the points just named and
Sgdeir, with other stations-Marsovan
Sives, Cesarea and Trcbizond.
British to Withdraw Troops.
he Georgian republic was compelled
to ermit passage of trains from Tifis
southwark into the territory of AR
menia proper, This country is sur
rounded on all sides by hostile ele-
rlrl.S
Notice was served by the British Cabi-
net on the peace conference, sitting in
Hrltish troops would be withdrawn in
June. but no or little publicity was
given to this fact. 1t was reported
troops would replace the British If
there was any such intention. ii has
been given up.
announcement was made that all Brit
ish troops would be withdrawn late in
August.
This was the signal for Immediate
activity on the part of the enemies of
the Armenians: Sporadic massacres by
aartars and kurds were reported. to-
sether with the seizure of trains and
the massinS of Turkish troops at stra-
tegic points.
States consul and relief WORKERS have
been pouring in showing the approach
ing crisis Azerbaijan organizations.
co operating with the Turks and Tar
tars and with the unfriendiy Georgian
republic, have been daily more agrees
sive The railway between Erivan and
Erivan and Kars The evident inter-
ton of the Turks is the total EXITING
ton OF the Armenian race.
lncomprc hcnsible Inactivity.
While these events were taking place
the British have done nothing more
IMAM TO warn the Azerbaijan govern
send eighty men TO Erivan as guards
Their officers stated that orders pre-
affairs of the Caucasus. Many Of these
are outspoken in condemnation of
policy which makes them passive wit
nesses OF the last acts of the Arme-
Appeals have been made repeatedly
10 the British Cabinet TO rescind the
This was refused. though there has
been remote unofficial intimation that
a LONGER time might be granted before
were given by. the United States gov
ernment that 1t would accept man
replace the British with American SOL
diers or offer to bear the expense of
their maintenance.
No omcinl Information.
To do this. even if authorized by an
gress already authorized it. It would you'd
transport troops to Batoum in time
BUT Congress has not authorized it. The
american people nave had no official
information of the urgency of the sit
uation unless publicity has been given
To. private dispatches sent from Paris
within the last few days.
Giving full weight TO the embar-
rassment OF the British Cabinet. owing
to pressure of public opinion for the
return Of troops. it is not too much
sweep through the United States when
1t is known that the Armenians have
been left to their fate, and that the
American relief workers, men and wo-
men. share in the common peril.
Orphans Doomed to Stnryc,
twenty-five thousand orphans will
starve. All that has been done for
relief with the millions subscribed by
all elements Of the American people,
but especially by the church organiZn-
tions. will have been in vain. No ex-
PLANTATION or excuse will be accepted
The cordial relations between the two
great Notwithstanding peoples will be
strained.
What horrors WI. follow the British
withdrawal can be imagined. 1t seems
certain met the original plan for the
EXTERN inat:on of the Armenians will
succeed. and a new and more awful
chapter be written in the history OF
the relations of the European powers
In the Near East
=, 1t is too late to avert great evil. but
the supreme calamity can be prevented
II the British troops now in the eau
casus be maintained and the Paris con-
Terence be stirred TO immediate action
TO settle the Armenian question.
3.000.0no Greeks Driven From Home.
ATHENS. Sept 27.-Omcial govern
say 100000 Greeks were driven from
their homes in Asia Minor by the Turks