New-York tribune., 1919-03-16
Assyrians Demand
independence With
u. S. ProtectOrate
Presbyterian Mission Board
Accused by Speakers at
Dinner of Promoting an
Antagonistic Campaign

Proposals for an American pro
tectoratc over new Assyria were
cabled last night to President Wilson
by representatives of the Assyrian pop
ulation of the United States.
The aspirations of these people,
whose territory includes part of Meso-
potamia ard Persia, for an independ-
ent commonwealth, and their desire
that the United States take it under
its wing, were embodied in a rcsolu-
tion adopted at dinner given by the
Assyrian National Associations of
America at the Hotel Pennsylvania
l.. Werda, Assyrian delegate to the
peace conference, who, with DR.. A. X
Ioosuf, will place the aspirations of
Assyrians in America before the peace
table.
The 200 representatives, coming
from all over the country were some
what startled by assertions of several
speakers that the Presbyterian Board
of Foreign Missions was bending every
effort to thwart the national aims of
the Assyrian people. The Persian De-
partment of the board, they asserted, is
conducting systematic propaganda
against them.
Persecution Is Charged
ave sincerely regret" said A. H.
Graham, leading Assyrian, who was
active in securing the appointment of
the delegates, that while we have been
redeemed from our first oppressors,
we are now being subjected to the in
justice of another autocracy, the Per-
sian Department of the Presbyterian
Board of Foreign Missions. 1t has
prosecuted our people, pursued our
leaders with hatred, conducted secret
propaganda against the fair name of
our people, and has in every way op-
posed the work of our national organi-
cations.
at has tried to discredit the accom-
plishments of Assyrian leaders and has
sent it's agents into our colonies to
arouse discord. 1t is impossible to
enumerate all the deeds Of injustice
perpetrated against US by this board in
America
Mr. Oraham's remarks were supple
Inented by statements from Charles
Dartley, secretary of the executive
committee OF the association, and
Thomas Ellby, chairman of the Boston
branch of the organization.
Declares Relief Work Opposed
Mr.. Dartley spoke of the opposition
experienced from the Presbyte rian
body. He said relief work among the
Assyrians was opposed by the Presby-
terrain board, which suppressed their
enorts and created a fund of its own.
giving large sums to enemies Of the
Asgyrians. He asserted the board also
1ried TO prevent appointment of AS
syrian delegates to the peace confer
ence.
Dr. Werda, in outlining the pro-
gramme for the proposed new nation.
believes it should comprise the 500 900
people now in that section and should
not include the 10000 Assyrians in
India nor the 10000 in Russia.
~ Is the purpose of the Agsyrian
delegates in Paris he said, "to claim
reasonable portion Of the old Assvria
which embraced in It'd original boun-
daries about 250000 square miles. The
Assyr'ans are entitled TO this claim
because Mesopotamia is their home. Il
is their land from generations back.
They are entitled TO it because thev
entered the war on the side OF the
Allies, and important victories were
won by the ASsyrian army.
1T is the purpose Of the Assyrian
delegates to ask for and ins;st upon
the pYotectorate Of the United States.
The country presents marvellous and
unique possibilities for American
capital"