New-York tribune., 1920-03-06
Turks Assail
u. S. Mission
For p Days
Continued from page i

Continued from page
being hit. Every compound is filled
with frightened refugees, alarmed over
the fate of their relatives. The Amer
ican Committee for Relief in the Near
East is feeding 1000 orphans and refu-
gees, with only few days. supply, and
the bread problem is grave.
l.. To-day we raised the American flag
mast than a salute from dozen guns
sent US scampering to cover. The
whole country is in the fame Of revolt.
While the days are exciting the nights
are more so, with the great guns BOOM
ing and soldiers creeping stealthily
forth with benzine torches and
hand grenades. Fires are raging in
various sections and the city is like
Dante's inferno.
January rs: Hundreds of Armenians
are trying to reach our compound, but
the light made by Ares the Turks are
setting to Armenian quarters makes
their escape impossible.
Saw Husband Shot
January 27: At this moment there
is young woman in our house who
tells US she prayed for five nights in a
cellar with 100 other persons. The
Turks asked them to surrender, prom
ising them protection. They agreed.
The Turks told the men to come out Of
the house. The woman said her hus-
band went first and was shot by their
own Turkish neighbor, whom she knew
we'll.
January %: A pitiful case arriving
to-day was that of. Mrs. Selattian, wife
of the pastor of the third church. She
was bleeding from bullet and knife
wounds. She says her child of eigh-
teen months was slain.
January 30: No relief in sight.
January 81: Nine persons were
shot to-day on the college grounds,
some of them seriously. Fortunately,
we have plenty Of wheat now and by
keeping the women grinding from sun
rise to sunset we can feed the people.
Mrs. Selattian died to-day. The uncer-
tain situation is a great strain on the
nerves of the ladies of our party, but
they are bravely and checrfully min
istering to the 'unf6rtunates.
February l: More children have been
shot in orphanages, and hospitals con-
tinue to be attacked. The refugee%are
much alarmed at the success of the
| Turks.
Try to Burn Orphanage
February 2: A shell fell to-day
through the roof Of a hospital and
into the attic just above the floor where
many patients were quartered The
Turks tried to set fire to the Bartell
orphanage. The French retaliated by
burning the house of the instigator
of the plan to burn the orphanage.
There is no news of reinforcements.
fear other cities and towns are be-
sicgcd and help may not reach US.
February 8: Surely nobody in the
outside world realizes the seriousness
of our situation or an airplane from
Beirut would drop message of cheer
Bullets continue to enter the American
buildings. and we have all had narrow
escapes. The French horses and mules
are slowly starving. They will have
to be killed to feed the hungry multi
tudes. The French are living in hopes
that help will come.
"February 4: This has been a tragic
I day, stories of fresh massacres reach
ing US. We are resolved to stay here
at all hazards. God help the Armenians
! it the Americans leave them
February s.: Turkish officials held
prisoner by the French asked us for
an interview to-day. They sought our
to try to persuade the Turks to make
peace terms but the general would not
release them. The French decided to
kill the horses and mules, as there is
no forage for them. We had a mule
roast to-day and liked it. 1t is better
than horse meat.
Airplane Drops Messages
"February g. This is the eighteenth
day Of the siege of Marash. We had
a joyful surprise. An airpane flew
over the city, dropping several mes
sages, which high wind carried into
the Turkish part OF the city. But we
knew help was near. We were not for
gotten. More victims to-day for the
operating table. More graves in the
cemetery | hope help will come before
all the Armenians have to pay the
awful price of this needless war.
February 7: At last reinforcements
are in sight. Already they are fight
ing their way into the city. Guns in
the planes are shelling the hills. over
which scouts expect to reach the bar
racks We heard to-day that eighty
girls, inmates of a rescue home, have
been killed by the Turks, who after
ward fired the building. And we had
20 stand by without being able to lift
u hand.
Many Deaths Daily
February g.: French troops are in
the valley, their guns sheling the hills,
but it may be days before they can
encircle the city. Wounded continue
to come in, and there are many deaths
daily. We spent the afternoon watch
ing the battle in the plain from the
upper college windows. We saw French
relieving troops finally effect g con-
nection with French forces in the bar
racks.
February 9: General Querette in
formed US to-day u:at he has orders to
evacuate the city at midnight. This
news has caused wild alarm among the
women and children. who are crazed
with fear. We urged General Querette
to delay evacuation. He said he would
try to secure a delay of twenty four
hours. If the French evacuate We are
not sure what treatment we will re-
ceive at the hands of the Turks. We