Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-09-25
Rescue Work at Smyrna
New York Times)

In the hell that was Smyrna when
the Turkish soldiers got out of hand,
the members of the American colony,
women as We'll as men, relief work
ers, teachers, nurses, merchants and
the consular officers, thought less of
the perils of their position than of
succoring and saving others. 1T is
my duty" said Consul General Hor-
ton, ITO speak of the splendid hero
ism and self sacrifice of the Ameri-
can colony in Smyrna" There is
thrill in the story of Jean Christie,
Director of the American Women's
rescue of Armenian children when
the home was in flames. leading them
through mobs of Turkish soldiers in
the streets, and getting them I'M
scathcd down to the waterfront and
the protection of the American blue
jackets. For ten days" said this
Massachusetts girl. I'VE did not take
Off our clothes. l shall never forget
the look of terror on the faces OF
those little Armenian children as I
marched them through the streets"
Unafraid American womanhood COM
manded the respect of the Turks.
At a meeting called by Consul Cen
cral Horton the American merchants
made liberal subscriptions for the re-
lief of refugees. Professors of the
American College put themselves at
the service of a central committee.
Automobiles and motor trucks flying
the American flag were driven all
over the city by volunteers, who dis
tributed food and supplies until the
conflagration threatened to envelop
them. They had to abandon some
cars to the flames. The American wo-
men teachers in the girls schools re
fused point-blank to leave their posts
until driven away by fire" Some of
them still remain in Smyrna. Hor
ton and his wife Gid not leave the
Consulate until it was burning. One
American merchant Communicated a
launch and brought off fifty refugees
to the steamer Winona. Her captain
took aboard refugees under Turkish
fire. An American with a big house
outside Smyrna threw it open to all
the Greeks and Armenians it would
hold. AS in every emergency, the
American sailors who were put
ashore behaved with the utmost gall
lantry, showing the efficiency char
acteristic of them in handling ter
ror- stricken fugitives and guiding
them to safety. The American peo-
pie" says H. c. Jacquith of the Near
Eastern Relief. should he proud of
the intrepidity of their sailors. who
displayed reckless unconcern for
their own security. helping women
and children to escape from the con-
f1agration." The only American war
ships in the harbor were three
dcstroyers. and in saving life and get
ting the overflow of refugees aboard
merchant ships the crews worked day
and night. In the cause of umanity
the American flag won new prestige
at Smyrna.
TT is very apparent" says Presi-
dent Harding in letter to Chairman
Warren of the Senate Appropriations
Committee. that we have an obliga-
ton to afford relief" 1t should not
stop with the appropriation Of $780,
600 recommended Private charity
also has a duty to perform. Funds Of
the relief societies are low, and the
need of aid for the distressed people
in the Near East is more urgent than
ever. The practical way to recognize
the self sacrifice of American men
and women in Smyrna is TO make a
contribution to carry on their work.