Arizona republican., 1920-02-05
IN CITY ID ASK
 AID IF AMERICA
 F0R H|S NATION
General Azgapetain Tells Church Federation Guests of Great Part Armenia Played in War and of Her Need

The heroic part played by Armenia in winning the world war was viv1dly portrayed by General MeSrop N- Azga- petian in address at the Y. M C. A yesterday, following a luncheon given by the Church federation Rapt atten- ton was given every word uttered by the little Armenian general who has done much for his people in the past and who is now devoting his time. and interest toward enliSting public sympathy for thousands of Armenian children who have been orphaned by the war.
 Armenia has been unjustiy criti- cized here in America said the gen. eral, who, by the way, is an American citizen. having been natIualized while a student of Columbia university, of which he is a graduate War. means the smaller the nation the keener have been the sacrifices and suffering. And though great destruction was meted eout. to such nations as Belgium and Seryia- I am here to tell you that there has been greater suffering and greater sacrifices among the Armenian people.
 The Armenians must be an awfuify helpless and tiInid people Why don't they help themselves, the same as Americans would in like position? This is common expression among you today. You would not ask it If you understood the real circumstances if you understood the great achieve Tnents of the Armenians as. soldiers, achievements which have been kept from the world by Russian bureauc racy-
 Turn Against Turks
 Tn the beginning of the war Turkey did everything possible to induce the Armenians to remain neutral When they refused and decided to cast their lot with the allfes against Germany the Turks were furious. Calling to their assistance the wild tribes of kurds, CircaSsians and Arabs, they raided and piIlaged our towns and cities devastated our farm lands mas sacred our people by the thousa nds and led our women and girls into cruel and degrading slavery The order went out deprfvfng every Armenian of his arms. and they were left to the mercy of mauraders armed to the teeth
 When the call to arms came, Ar menia did not hesitate There was no excuse offered that the male popula- ton was needed to protect the Sanctity of their homes In full realization or the possible dangers to those leIt pe- hind Armenia furnished 1So,0oo well trained and disciplined troops to the Russian armies Another 10000 came from all parts of the world, where the Arnenians have established colonies In addition Armenia furnished l5,VuV troops which fought under the French flag. and another 10000 who fought under the British jack, while more than 15-0oo Armenians served unoer o
 America to the Rescue
 During the early period or devasta- ton. the victims found their way into Russian Armenia Here they were taken care of by rfch countrsnsh. e, Miso through years of industry and thrift md under protection of the Russian courts were living in prosperity ana where many of them had amaSseo huge fortunes Armenia would not pc caii- e- ing upon America today except Tor bolsheyisrn With the establishment Of the reign of terror in Russia all nriy-ate wealth was confiScated, the rich were made poor, and Armenia was forgotten
 Al that critical moment America cayne to the rescue. New refuge sta lions were established. orphans were sheltered. A splendid work was done last wear Untold thousands were saved from starvation. This good work must 20 on Since the signing Of the arrnistice the field has expanded and wp have increased demands on all sides"
 where Armenian troops had won the day. At vcrcfun, he said. out of a unit of 1000 Armenian soldiers, there were but 27 survivors It was Armenian srara. in Persia and in recognition of their valorous assistance they had been the first to enter Damascus upon the surrender of that city to the aifed troops.
 Appeals to Arperictns
 General Azzapetian closed his re- marks with an appeal to Americans to hrrng about the recognition of the Ar rnenian republic by congress Poland has been recognized and given a sea mort he said That is all that Arme- nta is asking today. Otherwise we shall be divided among European pow er.. and must lose the very things Tor which our sons gave up their lives
 xr.1y-e, a sn rhe carly history of this country, and as you have come to the assistance of France in this great war, why not come to the assistance of Armenia at this time with the assurance that you vxfrI win the everlasting gratitude of a nation duly appreciative of all that has heen done in her behalf in the past