Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-02-15

the present time between three anS
! four thousand women and children in
the Hans too sick to move. ARABIA
transportation must he provided
otherwise they viii all die. I'm route
/ they are the prey Of countless wan
dcrng bands, for which the Interior
of Anatolia is famous. What few
possessions they originally had are
taken from them ana when they ar
rive at the coast all their belongings
arc on their backs. Those OF the
people being in possession of a few
Liras gladly exchange these for pass :
age to Constantiroplc. absolutely
unaware of what awaits them, thc,r
only desire being to leave the Interior.
They are arriving in Constantinople
by the thousands, and in spite Of the
ships sent by the Greek Government
to take them the numbers slowly nc
cumulate. With the already crowded
condition of COnstantinOplp, it is cE-
tremcly difficult to secure shelter for
these people. All of the Grcol,
churches, schools and church prop
crty arc filled to overlooking.
In addition to these. are those with
out funds, waiting at the seacC2st
towns IN hopes that some one VIII
take them away. The Greek Gov
crnment in answer TO this has
sent two chartered ships. Now that
Greek ships are permitted to enter the
ports of Anatolia. VIC are in hopes
of getting al of these people away,
direct to old Greece.
The Near East Relief has just given
for their use four of their large
orphanage buildings. However. these
were quickly filled and the search for
more space goes on. These camps
arc simply IL hotbed Of diseases Of all
sorts, but small poX is most serious.
Most of the ships arriving in Con
stantnOple report twenty or thirty
deaths from this disease. ana in spite
of repeated vaccinating this state Of
affairs continues. The people seem
to disregard diseases of any sort
and will simply not take any pre-
cautions. 1t is a common occurrence
to find members of I, family sleeping
under the same blanket with one hay
ing the disease. OF course with Il
condition like this. it is impossible to
keep it in check and so you can i'm
aginc the terrible conditions existing.
All of these camps are guarded by
Turkish police and II is a pitiful sight
to pnss by and see the thin and
emaciated faces peering through the
bars.
We are distributing between ten
and fifteen thousand rations of food
daily to these people en- route and in
Constantinople. in addition to the
huge amount Of medical work neces-
Sary.
In the face Of these difficulties.
received this morning the following
telegram:
"On account Of alarming increase
cases small pox and spotted fever.
also Governments inability cope with
situation or provide accommoda-
tions decided to discontinue next ten
days Black Sea evacuation:' show
ing something of the conditions in
Greece, where there are at the pres
ent time over one million refugees.
The influx of refugees still con-
tinucs, and we still try to do our hest
and cope with the situation, but it
certainly seems a hopeless task.
Love.
Signed: GEORGE II. DENNIS.
Director Relief Department.
Thanks for the paper, Political
situation rather serious again. But
before you receive this the thing will
be settled one way or the other.
Love to all,
GEORGE.