Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1920-04-12


politics. Thus reasoned the three lead
ers of the Turkish government during
the war. Elmer Pasha. Minister OF War
Taiaat Pasha. Minister Of the Interior
and later Grand ylzier and Djemal
Pasha. the Minister Of Marine.
THE discrimination OF about a mil
lion Armenia-.s was accomplished by
three successive steps. First. the ma
tional leaders. very largely members
OF the national church and educators,
were deported from their communities.
Some Of the leaders were killed.. while
others survived the long and frightful
years of exile. Next, the Turkish au-
thorities gathered the men of military
age, after first having disarmed all the
Christian populations. Some Of these
men were used for constructing roads,
trench digging. and other similar
forms Of army and camp work. which
did not allow of their bearing arms.
But large numbers OF these unfortu-
mates were slaughtered in cold blood.
The third step was 10 do away with
the remainder of the people. the old
men, women and children. This was
the most heinous of all misdeeds. At
various times in different towns and
villages. the Armenians were gathered
together. and notified that they were
TO be deported Where an excuse was
given. it was military necessity. a ne
cessny which certainly did not exist
over any large part OF Asia Minor.
But in the vast numbers Of cases de
portation was Synonymous with death,
under the most horrible circumstan-
COS. The route of travel was TO the
desert, and no provision was made for
feeding or Safeguarding the great
rains of unfortunates. who were goad-
cd along the roads. SO that throngs
choked the highways.
But it was impossible 70 eytermi-
nate millions. The task was too great
for even such experienced hands as
the Turks. Some individuals escaped
after marvellous experiences. which
of death. Others escaped by bribing
tho Turkish authorities The Moslem
authorities themselves gathered to-
gether thousands of the Christian chill
dren, putting them in orphanages,
that they should be brought up as
Moslems. to restock the Ottoman race.
Girls and young women were taken by
The Turkish officers and soldiers and
forced into lives worse than death.
Words cannot describe, pen cannot pic
ture, the cruelty vented and the suf-
ferings endured during those heart
rending times.
THE first rays Of hope came with
American relief. Even during the
years of the war, American relief had
accomplished much for these persecut-
ed and unhappy victims of oppression
and misrule But with the coming of
the Armistice, there appeared the say
ing hand of the Near East Relief or
ganization. Thanks TO the generosity
of the American people, food supplies
and clothing were sent to the Near
Cast 80 feed the starving and clothe
he naked The first work Of the Near
East Relief was largely alternative in
character, but more and more il is be-
,oming permanently constructive
Christian boys and girls are being res
,ued from the Moslem homes. Or
phanages, which are really grade
choois, and vocational schools are be-
ng organized and operated. Thous-
,nds owe not only lives, but whatever
chance they now have in life to this
american endeavor.
but there is still great work to be
lone and that work must be made
possible, and the continuation OF the
work already begun must be assured.
by the generosity OF American men,
women and children. Now that We
are turning away from the great task
IF helping in the political reconstruc
ion of modern civilization task, an
opportunity and challenge which is
ours 20 rise to-, we must give bf our
wealth to aid in the social and eco
nomic relief and reconstruction o.
these sad, war-saddled and crime-stain
ed lands. We are living in the lap of
luxury and are spending recklessly.
We must keep ourselves saved from
Becoming the International Dives. Is
it nothing to you all. We who pass
by?' That is the appeal which comes
to each one of us. No one of US can
afford to let the opportunity escape Of
aiding in this great work of Near East
Relief.