Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-09-20
AME R|CAN FLAG
SAVES ORP HANS
FROM De EATH At
HANDS Of TURKS
Smyrna Youngsters Secure
Emblem Which They
Hold Aloft During Night,
Each Taking His Turn.
KEROSENE POURED ON
BUILDINGS, IS CLAIM
KemaIists also Set Fire to
the Bundles of Clothing
Dropped by Refugees
Crowds Plead for Aid,

Constantinople, Sept. 19.-
Smyrna was an amphitheater OF
flame with it's struggling, despair
ing population helpless in the arena
formed about the water 'front.'
caught between the fire ana the
sea, according to the description
given to the Associated Press by
Edward NJ. Fisher of Reading. Pa
director of the Y. M. c. A. at
Smyrna, who went through the
catastrophe and has just returned
here. Mr.. Fisher said:
"The Turks had deliberately
poured kerosene ON the buildings.
/ saw stream of kerosene run
ming through the street on which
the American consulate was To-
Gated. The Turks also set fire to
bundles of clothing and bedding
dropped by the fleeing refugees,
Soon the whole European quarter
was enveloped in flames.
Terrifying Spectacle.
Burning Smyrna, an amphl-
theater, built around the great bay,
was a terrifying but magnificent
spectacle. The fire penetrated the
water front, destroying the customs
house, located on the harbor. |
had previously observed Turkish
iregulars pouring large cans of
benzine on the wooden frame work
of the latter structure. 1t was
clear that Smyrna had been fore
doomed.
THE personnel of the Y. M. Z.
A.. the American college and other
american organizations were Or
dred aboard the American Destroy
ers, as the quay was no longer ten
able on account of the terrible
heat. From the shores. Lelpless
crowds raised their arms, and in
agonlzing chorus, supplicated to be
taken on our boats. In their help
lossness the Americans broke down
and wept Many of the frantic
refugees had been to the United
States and spoke English.
THE Turks chose fire to solve
tie question of Christian minori-
ties in Asia Minor forever,
Bravery of Miss Mills.
Through the bravery OF Miss
Mary Mills of the American college
and DR.. Wilfred Post of Washing
ton. d. G., who with myself work.
ed incessantly. we succeeded In
taking coo Armenian orphan boys
from the fire zone, marching them
10 the pier. Unfortunately, there
was no room for them on the
American destroyers, so we were
forced to place them on the quay.
"In some unacCOuntable way,
two of the Youngsters secured
American flags, which they held
aloft throughout the night. each
boy taking turn at holding a flag.
This saved them from mistreat-
mcnt by the Turks.
TT was an inspiring example of
the potency of the Stars and
Stripes, when death was threat
cned.
Children Prostrate.
"The morning found the help
less children PROSTATE with eXhaus-
ton on the stone pier. Two of
their number we're still bravely
holding the American flags. Then,
by miracle, the American steam
or Winona came into the harbor
and we evacuated the orphans to
1iraeus.
Another American hero was
Raymond Moreman, a young grad
uate of Pomona college, California,
who, in spite of the flames and
the threats of the Turks. refused to
desert the Christian orphanage, in
which were housed 500 orphans,
under his direct charge.
"T shall die with them il they
are killed. he told the Turkish |
q mi hOritieS "