Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1920-01-13
General Axgapstian Says Coun-
try Must Have Independence
and Looks to United States
to Right Many Wrongs.
PRAISES THIS COUNTRY
Total Armenian Population Re-
duoed Over One Million
Through Acts Of Turks and
Losses in War.

The terrible suffering In his native
land, Armenia, and the desire of that
country for Independence and assist
ance from America was yividly told
today by General Mesrop N. Azgape-
tian, an Armenian soldier, who, ac-
compsnied by his wife, arrived in Boise
this morning. At noon General Aga
petian spoke on the Armenian situa-
ton at a special luncheon arranged
in his honor at the Chamber Of Com
merce.
General Azgapetian is a graduate of
Robert College. Constantinople, the
University of Geneva and Columbia
university. New York.
For many years he was engaged
In the military and diplomatic services
of Persia and was raised to the rank
of major general. He was also aid
f. de-camp to his imperial majesty the
shah and upon his return to America
in 1904 he was appointed first secre-
tary of the legation at Washington.
BACK FROM CAUCASUS.
In 1915 General Azgapetian and his
wife went to Russia and entered the
service of the Russian Red Cross, the
general as q physician and Mrs. Aga
petian as nurse. Their efficiency
and devotion was greatly appreciated
and they were awarded the medal of
merit and the Cross of Vladines.
Besides several ancient languages.
General Azgapeuan speaks English,
German, French, Armenian, Persian,
Turkish, Greek and Russian. He has
also written a number of magazine ar
ticles on oriental topics.
General Azgapetian has just re-
turned from Persia and the Caucasus.
He is strong speaker and has an au-
thentic message to deliver to the
American people before returning to
the orient to continue the relief work
to which he has devoted his life.
ALWAYS HELPED ALLIES.
"There were 100000 Armenians be-
fore the war;" said General Azgape-
tan. To-day there are less than 4,00O,-
600 due to massacres by the Turks and
losses on the battlefield. The Arme-
Man armies fought on many fronts
with the allies. While the men were
away at war, the Turks invaded Ar
menia and massacred the people right
and left. Today they are hiding in the
mountains, fearful to return too their
own country. The Turks made bold
by the delay in the making ofspeace
have shot and killed on all sides. The
suffering Of my people has been terri
BILE. %@rlsS
1.-THE United States can bring this
suffering to an end by declaring for
the independence of Armenia. This
is what the Armenians want. They are
a sturdy, Industrious Christian people.
Had the Armenians been able to return
to their farms last year they could
have raised sufficient crops to have
carried them through the winter and
would not now be appealing to Ameri-
ca for help. But they were unable to
90 so, no crops were grown and they
are in need of help. Armenia alone
has 100000 orphans to take care of.
America has been kind and good to us
and the Armenians are thoroughly APP
preciative of their assistance. 1 find
in my travels about the country that
the people of the United States want
TO help Armenia.
WANTS U. S. TO RATIFY.
MY country was disappointed over
the failure of the United States to rati-
~ the treaty. We had hoped Amer
lea would say to England, France and
Italy during the peace negotiations
that Armenia must be made free and
independent nation, just as was done in
the case OF Poland. There were no for
eign entanglements following the stand
This country made with regard to Po-
land. That country is today free and
Independent. So can Armenia be made
u the United States will only insist on
AS for the Turk, he will be segre-
gated In the far east and we hope will
never again be able to massacre our
people The Turk touches nothing that
he does not blight. It was SO with
our country. 1t was SO with all other
countries"
General Azgapetian and his wife are
touring the United States in the in.
terests of the Armenian and far east
drive for funds which will be on from
Feb. I to %.
r.. M. McCracken q ca ipcor. ~