The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1920-04-27

Bullets still continue to enter Ameri.
can buildings, We have all had very
narrow escapes. The French horses
and mules are slowly starving and
we will have to kill them and feed
them to the hungry mutlitudes. The
French are living in hope that help
will soon come.
This has been a tragic day. News
stories Of fresh massacres reached us
this morning. In one case nearly 200
surrendered to the Turks under pro.
mise of protection, but nearly all Of
them were bHtchered. One man es-
capped by stabbing a Turk, told this
gruesome story. Deep pits were dug
and men tied in punches of three and
led to the edge of It, and then shot and
Young girl of 10 was shot in the
abdomen while out getting a bit OF
wood. No news yet of help but we
shall not give up. We are resolved
to stay here at all hazard3. God help
the Armenians If the Americans ieave
them, and God help US If the French
leave.
This morning DR.. Wilson and Rev.
Lyman and | interviewed the French
General and his staff. Word reached
us that Turks were e~ncroaching on
Armenian homes and might soon at
tack the hospital. While we were on
our way to Headquarters, the Turk
ish officials, who were prisoners in the
buildings asked to see us. The Gen.
eral gave permission and we had an
interview with them. They pleaded
with us as Americans to persuade the
French officers to stop the war. They
promised that ii they were released
that they would do all they could TO
bring the Turks to terms. The Cen
eral would not release them. | pro-
posed that they should write a letter
to the Muttaserif and ask him to per
suade the leaders to request a con-
ference. This evening the letter from
the Turks came and will be ent as
soon as possible to the Turkish gov
eminent. The French today have de.
cided to kill the horses and mules as
there Is no food for them. We had
mule roast today, anS we like it fine.
We like it better than horse meat. a
fierce bombardment took place this
evening. A perfect hail storm OF bal,
lets rained through our compound. A
young woman in the basement Of the
house was MORALLY wounded. This
has brought the wal to our very doors.
Feb. 9Th.
This is the 18th day of the siege OF
Marash, and this morning We had
JOYFUL surprise. An aeroplane flew
over the city and dropped several
messages. Unfortunately the wind
wa very high and carried the mess
ages into the Turkish part Of the city
but we know now that help is neaI
and thai we are not forgotten, More
victims for the operating table and
more graves for the cemetery. This
s%fternoon we had another glimpse Of
IN aeroplane and the French head
quarters sent UP signals 80 that they
might know where TO land il they
wished. Everybody is elated 10 think
hat communication with the outside
vord has again been established. We
ad an answer from the Muttaeseril
oday in renly to our letter which &C
romlGn.ed the communicat ion sent by
he Turkish officials. He regretted
hat he could do nothing without con
iii ng the Commander of the forces
but appreciated our interest and thanh
81 us for our kind offer of mediation
I hope help will come before all tht
Armenians have to pay the awful price
Of this needless war.
Feb. 18th.
At last re endorsements are in sight
and are already fighting their way in
% the city, The guns in the pla' n are
sheling the hills over which this
scouts expect to reach the barracks
We heard today that all the girls il
the rescue home have bsen killed
There were about so OF them. To ado
to the horror of the c'rme, the Turk:
this afternoon set fire to the builg
ing, and We had the gruesome necessi
ty to tness the scene without being
able to lift a hand to save them, This
first church Is also on fire.
Feb Stk
Tho French troors are in the valley
and their guns are Smelling the hills
but 1t may be some days yet before
they can encirc'e the city and close
in on the enemy, The wounded con
tinue to come and new deaths take
place daily. This afternoon we spent
with the French General and his staff
in the upper story of the college build
ing watching the battle in the plain
and the attempt of the French re)iev
ing troops to make connection with
the soldiers in the barracks. This
they did later in the day. In the even.
ing we had a Thanksgiving service in
the college.
Feb. 9th.
sa -.