The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-02-01
Fly PATRIOTIC PATRICIA

pangn, Mrs. Thompson said Although the people of Alabama and the nation have given and given again, until it seems that every possible needy person in the world has been reached, a ca re- ful investigation of the needs of these people of Armenia and the sur rounding countries, just recently con cluded by Dr. Barton of the Near East Relief and a number of other eminent Americans has brought forth the cry ing need that exists here at this very moment, in such a way that I feel 1t my duty to do what I can to help ale viate this terrible suffering A writer in a recent number of the National Geographic Magazine called it "The Land of Stalking Death" and such 1t is in very truth, as shown by the reports of these men who have seen the actual conditions that exist there today. Her bert Hoover recently sad that the Near East presents the most desperate situ- ation in the world, and that he had made a personal investigation of con- ditions there. He said that S00,000 per sons were homeless in Armenia alone, over a quarter of a million of whom were helpless orphans. The Near East Relief is now taking care of about S0, 0o0 and will help the others as fast as the American people provide the means. reel sure that the peOpIS oA Anniston and Calhoun county will do their share in this great humanitarian work"
 Mrs. Thompson will be assisted in Anniston during the campaign by Mrs Chivera NJ Woodruff. Miss Mary Read Smith and Miss Martha Sproull
 The women's clubs of the country are cooperating in the Near East Relief. Several expect to adopt an orphan. and the Sunday schools are taking an ac- tive part. The Anniston Masons in De- cember contributed sfS0 for relieving the distress of the starving and suffer- ing in Armenia and Syria and several other fraternal organizations here will contribute for this cause liberally dur ing the campaign.
 All who attended the state conference from Calhoun county pronounced it a wonderful meeting. All of the dele gates were inspired with the urgent necessity of this great work they have undertaken and received a vision of the crying need that is in the Near East to- day. The workers in this campaign realize that the cause demands the best that they have, and have conse- crated their time and talent to this great work of saving precious lives. Alabama's quota is 3.3S3 orphans, and it is believed by the states patriotic citizens that support will be provided for 3,S33 and many more besides.
 M Derovasian, the Armenian soldier, who made so many friends during his stay at Camp Mcclellan sends frequent letters to Anniston from his sister in Armenia. telling of the woeful plight of the women and children there.
 Volnteer field workers are visiting every part of Alabama and report that the appeal of nearly a million starving women and children (there are few men left, owing to the massacres by the Turks and deaths in battle) is one that the big-hear.ed people of this state will respond to freely.
 So complete and efficient is the relief organiza ton in the Near East that every cent contributed gets maximum of re- suits. We should be proud to be a part of the organization over here and to be able to take part in the wonderful work they are carrying on for the benefit of humanity.
 Col William N. Haskell, allied high commissioner representing the peace con ference. who is now in the Near East has just cabed from there of the desti- tuition and starvation that exists there today Among other things, he says in Lis cablregram: There are practically more than 800, coo destitute in the Caucasus alone. There are practically no food stuffs available in that section except those brought in by the American relief administration. and they are about ex- hausted. Unless supplies are continued at least 1000 tons of wheat flour each month there will be inevitably death from starvation on an unprecedented scale These people are normally industrious and thrifty. Now they are helpless. The Near East relief is working with splen-