Evening star., 1924-11-30
RUSSIA HAS FREED
HELPLESS ARMENIA
Turks Driven From Country
and Conditions Improve.
Still Want Freedom.
Correspondence Of the Associated Press

ERIVAN. Armenia, November s.
Armenia, which three years ago was
starving and destitute, is now on its
feet If the Bolsheyik regime, under
which the country at present exists.
has not given Armenia all the po-
utical advantage and freedom its peo-
pie sought, 1t has at least brought
peace and security to the desolate lit
tie state in the northern reaches Of
Asia. The Armenian no longer fears
the Turkish invaders, who for hun
dreds of years made him a prey to
their racial hatred and religious fa-
naetieism. Where the European
armies failed to keep Turkey at bay,
the Red army OF the Bolsheviks has
held II in repression and has given
the Armenian people chance to live
their own lives unmolested by war
like neighbors.
From the standpoint of their mate
rial welfare and health. the people
are better off today than they have
been for many years. Officials of the
government estimate that within three
years the country will be self-sup
porting, and that within ten years II
VIII be prosperous community.
Abundant Food supply.
Crops this year have been good
and there is an abundant supply of
food. Clothing. however. is scarce and
expensive, and good part of the
rural population is still clad in
thrsadeare garments. The tens of
thousands of orphan children which
successive wars and maSsacres left
in their wake are especially we'll off.
They are being cared for by workers
OF the American Near East Relief or
sanitation in the huge Russian army
karYankS tho plaip
Financially, Armenia, like most
other Soviet states. Is not in a -four
ishing condition. Its deficits are met
by subsidies from the Moscow ex
chequer With its limited funds,
however, the government is doing
notable work In the way of recon
structien, irrigation, hydraulic and
electrifcstion projects, the removal
of marshy maiariai lands, the es-
tahlishment of agricultural and In
fustFiai schools, and the cultivation
OF cotton, silk. tobacco and vineyards.
There is considerable unemployment
In the larger towns. but most of this
was absorbed during the Summer
and Fall by the need of labor for
the harvests.
University Established.
The Armenian government has
established a splendid university at
E,rivan, employing rs professors and
accommodating 600 students. An
equally fine library has been opened
in the capital with 100000 books, the
gifts of the Arm enian people them
selves. Another unique institution Is
the Erivsn Tropical Institute. which
is a model pathological laboratory
for the study and treatment of para
sitieal and epidemiological diseases.
which are very prevalent in the Cau-
casus. This Is in the charge of Prof
PopoH, an eminent Russian pathologist
The government has inaugurated
sanitary and hygienic stations
throughout the country, where the
poor are instructed in conserving
their health and given free soap and
Gisinfectants. The government is
carrying on an intensive cultivation
Of cotton which has given remark
able results. In 1922 Armenia had
only 1850 acres of cotton under culti-
vation. In 1923 1t had 1880, and in
1894 this number increased to 10000
acres.
Desfre Independence.
The desire for Independence and
freedom from foreign domination still
persists in the Armenian people, and
their hope Is that in the course of
time q way will be found of detach-
tHk IaGJh tH6 Ol MUS
COW. So far as can be judged by out
ward appearances. communism has
taken no deep hold on the people.
While all those in power in the gov
ernment are Armenians of Bolshevik
persuasion, who have the approval Of
Moscow, the total number of regis
tered communists in the country is
extremely small. Out of a population
of 100000. only 1914 are active
members of the communist party.
But it must be said again that the
Boisheviks have given Armenia new
lease of life by protecting the coun-
try and people from the inroads of
their ancient enemy, the Turks. They
have helped the country financially
and economically, IL not politically.
With continued peace and security
Armenia should, before many years.
retrieve its old place in the family of
nations and replace the grievous
losses 1t has suffered through con-
tiaued massacres and evictions.