Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-11-23
HUNGER, MADNESS,
SUICIDE RAVAGE
90 REFUGEE SHIPS
Cannibalism Is Feared on
Craft Strung Along
BOspOrus.
WOMEN OFFER JEWELS
FOR CRUST OF BREAD
Mothers Part With Babes to
Get Them Drink of
Water.
COLD INCREA Asses MISERY
French Government, Incapable OF
Dealing With Situation, Appeals
to Near East Relief.
WOMEN OFFER JEWELS
FOR CRUST OF BREAD
COLD INCREASES MISERY
French Government, Incapable OF
Dealing With Situation, Appeals
to Near East Relief.
IRy Associated Press.

ONSTANTINOPLE Nov. o2.-The
condition of the refugees aboard the
ninety or more ships strung along
the Bosporus is appalling and a
terrible catastrophe is feared unless
the promptcst measures are taken to
land the thousands who are writhing
in misery and pain. The correspon-
dent visited several of,thesc floating
hospitals and madhouses" today and
returned to shore with forebodinGs
OF impending calamity. None of the
refugees have as yet been taken
ashore. excepting the sick and dis
cased and the insane. the latter OF
whom have been extremely nuncr-
Gus.
AS the correspondent rode across
the Bosporus an unpleasant odor
from the ships was apparent. not :
withstanding 4 strong. cold sea breeze.
An American relief officer accom-
panieA him. AS soon as the pair
boarded the ships tho clothing OF
both were virtually torn Off by half
maddened refugees, who begged to
be taken to land on the open hills
which border the Bosporus.
All Herdcd Together.
Men. women and children. regard
less of cage or sex. are herded to-
gether promiscuously on the ships
day and night in a state of appall
ing misery. Many women of dis
tinguishcd demcanor. despite thei,
bedraggled appearance. offered to bar.
ter their valuables. jewels and furS
for a crust OF bread or n glass OF
water. In some cases the refugees
have been without water for eleven
days.
The correspondent heard that there
had been numerous suicides OF dcs-
perata refugees going insane during
the night hours. They spoke OF
ghostly temptation and the sobb!ng
call of the sea at night when they
were dying with thirst. Numerous
refugees were restrained from jump
ing overheard. but many succeeded
The American navy is assisting in
transporting sick women to the hos
pitals, and the Near East Relief also
has been prominent in the work.
War-hardened relief nurses were
Offering their children to visitors and
the scenes OF separation havo been
beyond description.
Death Rnte Abnormal.
The death rate has been abnormal
as tho result OF the biting cold and
the lack OF food. The American Red
Cross Is Offering $4,000 rations daily
and several Americans are Offering
donations and subscriptions.
The French government. which Is
in full charge OF the relief work. Is
incapable OF dealing with the situa-
ton and is appealing to the Near
East Relief. whose funds are limited.
The fear was expressed by the ships
officers that cases of cannibalism
would occur unless food supplies are
received promptly. In many cases
they had to fight OF maddened men
from Staying children, they de-
clarcd. The American hospital at
Stanboul is crowded 10 sunocation
and the American Red Cross Is Civ
ing it's available medical supplies.
4 Paris dispatch says that the
Greek government has agreed to re-
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