The New York herald., 1922-09-16
TURKS SEIZE GIRLS
AT AMERICAN COLLEGE
More Than 1000 Christians
Perish in Fire and Massacre.

LONDON. Sept Is (Associated Press)'
IT Is believed here that the fourteen
naturalized Americans reported MISS
ing I'm smyrna are members of the
American International College, which
harbors the bulk of the American pop
ulation in Smyrna. They were at the
Paradise College compound. three miles
from Smyrna, according 10 telegram
dated Tuesday. Several teachers OF this
college already have fed.
That 1000 to 10000 Christians had
been massacred in Smyrna by the
. Turks before the fire was started Is
Charged in semi-official and other Greek
messages from Athens received here
to-day, Among the Turkish outrages
was the carrying Off of many girl pupils
: OF the American Girls College, 1t is al
legged.
The Greek belief is that the fire was
set by the Turks to conceal the traces
OF their alleged misdeeds. A consider
able share Of the property loss from
the fire. the total OF which Is estimated
In Greek quarters at about SIS 900, 900,
fell upon American firms, and foreign
consulates are in danger.
A message from Greek semi-official
sources from Athens dated Thursday
reads: Absolutely trustworthy persons
belonging to the foreign colonies at
Smyrna, and notably Americans ar
irving here on the destroyer Simpson,
which also brought United States Con-
sul-General Horton, relate terrifying de-
tails regarding the massacre OF Smyrna
Following the big fire which reduced
the Armenian, Greek and European sec
tons of the town to ashes.
According to the general conviction
the ire was started by the Turks to ef-
face the traces of their massacres and
other crimes. Miss Mills. ma iron of the
American Girls College, declares she
saw an officer. or non-commissioned Off
Ger of the Turkish regular army, enter
house carrying several cans OF petrol
Soon after he came out the house burst
into flames.
Fire appeared Immediately in other
sections OF the town, even near the Turk
ish quarter Of Basma Khane. This was
the first day after the Turkish occu-
pancy. A southeasterly wind drove the
flames westward the Turkish quarter
thus escaping untouched
Besides the pupils, about 800 refu.
gees had been taken into the college,
which was near the place where the fire
started. The fate OF many of the girt
pupils is unknown. 1t Is alleged they
have been carried Off by the Turks
Foreign trade suffered enormous
/ losses. especially branches of agencies OF
lthe big American tobacco houses. such
las the Gary Tobacco Company and the
sftandard Commercial Trading Company
ov New York nearly all OF whose stocks
weye destroyed.
/Great quantities OF provisions were
Vstroyed. creating a food shortage
Several French and British establish
ments. the French College OF ST. Joseph
and other French schools and the Amer
lean Y. VI. G. A. were destroyed The
outlying Greek and American villages
and the suburbs Of Burja and Burma
bat. where Europeans reside, were
burned"
An Exchange Telegraph dispatch from
Athens says "The Turkish population
IN smyrna continues master OF the sit
uation. A number Of Turkish officials
accused OF having aided the Greeks
wete executed in front or the Govern
me u buildings.
Refugees arriving in Athens from
Smyrna recount terrible stories regard
Ing the state OF the city. owing 10 the
ferocity Of the Turks. Immediately on
their arrival the Kemalist troops gave
tho nselves over 10 massacre and rob-
berry OF the Christians"