Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-02-13
RELIEF FOR THE
NEAR EAST To Be
ORGANIZED HERE

Judge r. II. Hanna has accepted
the county craftsmanship for the
near east relief work which has
been pretty well organized all over
the state, and which aims at a
campaign to raise substantial funds
for the aid and succor of the thou
sands of suffering and starving
Christians in Armenia.
Hunger knows no armistice, and
although the war is over, and the
consequent interest and sympathy
in countries devastated by the war
have somewhat abated, the need OF
these people has not been lessened,
but rather has been rendered more
acute by the coming of a new win
ter without crops or industries.
Surely the first Christian nation OF
the world, which through centuries
of persecution by the Turks has
still remained Christian, with UNI
destroyed spirit or faith, deserves
our aid.
President Wilson said in an ad-
dress at Kansas City: There is one
pitiful example which is in the
hearts of all of us. l mean the
example of Armenia. They are a
Christian people, helpless, at the
mercy of the Turkish government
which thought it the service of God
TO destroy them. Great populations
are driven out upon desert where
there is no food and can be none,
and they are compelled to die.
Then men, women and children are
thrown into a common grave so
lmperfectly covered up that here
and there is pitllul arm stretch-
ed out to heaven out Is there no
pity in the world? When shall we
awake to the moral responsibilities
OF this great occasion?"
Here are some of the facts in the
tale of misery unadorned' sent
by cablegram to the near east reilel
headquarters in New York by earn
est workers in the field. Homeless
Assyrian people are in danger OIL
disappearance. over one hundred
and fifty thousand others are destl-
tute, many dying of starvation, ana
a large increase of funds needed
Immediately. The president OF lhe
Armenian delegation sent Word
that if the urgency of their needs
were not met they should see the
extinction of their entire nation,
and begged of their representative
here to make a supreme appeal 10
American friends.
Colonel William N. Haskell, Am
erican high commissioner in Ar
menia, appointee of President VII
son, is director of near east rellel
in the Caucasus, reports that SOV,-
600 persons in the Caucasus VIII
perisn from starvation before the
next harvest unless American sup
mort is continued, and that thou
sands of little children have but
single garment to cover their
nakedneSS ami to protect theIh
from the bitter cold of winter.
Herbert Hoover says the situation
in the near east is the most deSper-
ate situation in the world today
The Armenian people do not ask
charity but only a chance to win
back their industrial independence
The American Red Cross does not
operate in these fields, but has CIV
en- over six million dollars to the
near east relief committee Whlch
has been granted charter by con-
gress to help in the work.
There are from one hundred TO
two hundred thousand Armenian
women who cannot be released
from Turkish harems until proVis-
ion for their care is made by near
east relief Refugees and orphans
are pouring into Adana from syria
and Port Said; there is not
square inch of house room avail
able in many cities and large num-
bers are out on the plains. To pro-
vide living accommodations ana
employment is a tremendous task.
In every case possible manufac-
lures and textile works are being
started and a few dollars goes
long way in helping the people TO
reclothe and feed themselves.
The refugees are employed IN
roads and public works to reduce
expenses, and it is hoped the In
dustries will be self-supporting as
soon as expectation of manutac-
lures from trans-Caucasia COM
mence. Fourteen hospitals are al
ready operating and more are
planned in one city; and there are
in all under the direction of the
committee thirty hospitals,
fourteen rescue homes, 1853 orphan
ages, while 25O,OOO destitute are
being afforded every relief possible
through soup kitchens and bread
distribution.
The answer to this question is up
to the American people, they have
: Il iIt
must not let go. Harvard has
fund of $11,9O5,lSS, and supports
more than 1000 orphans. other
universities are answering the call
of humanity.