The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1919-09-03
Sultan of Turkey Seems
To Appreciate Interest
Americans.
RELIEF COMMISSION
WILL HANDLE SAME
Will Cover Entire Area
Of the Old Turkish
Empire.
Associated Press

CONSTANTINOPLE. Sept. ALI
grain stored in Turkish government
warehouses, millions of bushels, has
been made available for distribution
by the American Commission for Re-
lief in the Near East by Mohammed
vi. the Sultan of Turkey. following
an audience that monarch has just
granted to Major David G. Arnold Of
Providence, r. L., director of the Com
mission.
The Sultan, according to Major
Arnold, expressed his appreciation of
the American effort to relieve condi-
tions in Turkey and upon the conclu-
sion of the interview, issued an or
der to the Grand Vizier to cooperate
with the Commission, which now num-
bers about $50 American workers.
aided by several thousand assistants.
The Commissions field of opera
tions covers the entire area of the old
Turkish Empire and stations are scat
tered from Smyrna to Tiflis, in the
Caucasus. Major Arnold. who arrived
less than two months e and who
has established headquarters here,
was formerly of the famous Rainbow
Division in France, and before the
war served with American troops in
Mexico. He is an attorney by pro-
fession. The personnel of the Com
mission includes many former army
officers.
The work of the Commission invol-
YES a monthly expenditure of about
$500, 900. Forty-two thousand tons
of supplies, including a large amount
of drugs and valuable hospital equip
ment, have already been put to use.
In addition the organization has sup
ervised the distribution of 80, 900 tons
of flour for the Food Administration.
The supplies have been shipped to
Turkey direct from America but their
delivery into the interior, it is said,
has involved every conceivable trans
port difficulty.
"The chief problems that confront
u.s." said Major Arnold today, are
the aare of refugees and orphans.
Conditions are particularly acute in
central Armenia and in the Caususus.
In those areas many cases of starva-
ton have occurred. We are making
every effort to deliver supplies to the
points in need. During the coming
winter there is certain to be an i'm
mense demand for clothing. In sum-
NAV fhn ~onrla ,ap ror~x alamo ,r.%L
vegetables and odds and ends of food
which are available but in the winter
their situation is bound to be far
more serious.
Our general object is to provide re-
lief for war sufferers. The four
classes of persons given first consid-
Grafton are refugees, orphans, wom-
en- and girls rescued from Moslem
homes and the sick. We do not dis
eliminate between nationalities or re-
ligions, the aim being simply to aid
suffering humanity. We aim to pro-
vide food, clothing, medical aid, en-
ployment n housing where possible.
, At the orphanages trades are taught.
Every effort is made to get refu-
gees, children and rescued women in
to communication with friends and
relatives in Europe and America who
can provide for them. Repatriation
of 100000 refugees, the reconstruc-
ton of their homes and the provision
of farm implements is a task so col
ossal that it can be undertaken only
by governments, we cooperating SO
far as we are able. Ours is a relief
work and is not political"