New Britain herald., 1923-11-15
HdinuiHe News

Antonio Ahonasis Files s5o,o0o
 Claim Against Turkish Govt. ! DECISION RESERVED IN SUIT Town Pays s3.OOO In Taxes To state -Heayy Fines Handed Down For
 Automobile Law Violations - En-
 .arement Is Aunounccd-Bricfs. Antonio Athomasis, partner in the C1arendon hotel and Palace of Swee;s husiness in Plainyille will, within the
 next few days, file a claim with Fran cis A. Pallotti, secretary Of the state of Connecticut. for damages amount ing to s50,00h against the Turkish government for properties seized by Turkey during the world war. Tho property is located about 30 miles I from Constantinople and consists Of l four houses and about 20 pieces Of land. The seizure was made from 1 Athomasis' family which was cNlied from the country during the war. .Tommy" as he is familiarly known. l is an American citizen and served with the United States forces in the world war. He spent 12 months in 1 the battle zones in France as a mem ber of the 4th |. $. Pioneer infantry In speaking of the case, Athomasis told a tale which would excite the pity 1 of anyone for the plight into which i his family was thrown through the ac- 1 tions of the Turks towards the Greeks ] and Armenians who were residing in Turkey when the war brok" out "Tommy's" mother and four brothers were quietly living in the country ad- jucent to the Turkish capital, were well-off financially, and from letters which the son in America received from time to time. they were happy The brothers were prosperous farmers and had collected d moderate amount of wealth in land and money.
 Exiled From Home
 The world war then broke out with Turkey aligning herself on the side of the kaiser and Germany, and in the excitement which followed the Turks turned their wrath on the aliens living within their boundaries and vented their feelings especially on the Ar menians and Greeks. "Tommy's" mother and brothers were among the first selected. They were arrested, de- | prived of their property through an order from the sultan, and when tried | m court were not allowed to defend | themselves, but were sentenced 10 banishmont from the land.
 Died From Starvation
 They were taken from their homes, | not allowed to take anything with them and were sent into the interior Of Turkey, there to suffer their fate and 1.-Two the best they could. For sew ,rai years, the boy in America learned nothing from them.
 InIists In Army
 Fired with indignation over the treatment accorded his relatives, An- l tonic. then living in New York state. 1 offered himself and his services to the | United States when this country en- tered into the war. He enlisted in the army and was placed with the Pioneer infantry. He served i2 months in the fighting lines in France and returned 10 this country.
 shortly after his discharge. he nov cd to Plainville and while there, re. ceiNed word that his mother and brothers had died of starvation in exile. He got into communication with the authorities in Washington and verified this report and was then advised to take up with this govern ment, the claim for loss Of his fam ily's property,
 Athomasis plans 10 visit Secretary pallotti and enlist his aid in his ef- forts 10 get redress for somc Of the suferings which lis people have been put through. The United States gov ernment, acting in his interests. win then take up with tho Turkish govern ment. settlement for the property and Tommy" expects to hear something from the claim within the next six months.
 DeiSiOn Re>rrNcd
 Judge William Maltbic. in the su- perior court ir Hartford sterday. re- served decision in the suit of Mrs. burgess against tho town for damages Of s10.6"o. WitnC sscs. both for Mrs. Burgess and for the town were put on tho stand during The trial yesterday and arguments of counsel for both parties were heard. The judge re- his decision. but it is expected hat he will render ore within q few days.
 Town FaNc~ Paid f
 The town Of piainSille has paid I E.. nO0 to tho state in taxes this year. |, according 10 an announcement by . First Selcctman William Johnson. this I This amount covers both f Inc regular assessments and the miH- I tary tax. The asscssmnnts have been i -ut doEn by about sl 900. according | 10 the statement. as last year. the amount paid by Tlainsiile to the state ras little over s4.6oo
 CnBdnion l. Serimns
 The condition of Thomas NIather of : Mountain View who has been ilI at T lis home. has grown worse. it was rr. s ported this morning. lIe is not cx- : ,ected to live. {
 Hcatt Tincs ln Court
 Prank poElitsch of New Britain was . ined sthg and costs or the charge of Irving a motor trhicte while under ll hc irhu.urT of intoxicating liquor and H 25 and costs on the charge of rrck- III fss 5rving. in the town police court III asf evening by Justice F.. P. Prior III ie was arrested bv members of ths faar Frs7H