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AMERICA'S RELIEF EXPEDITION 




TO ASIA MINOR 



UNDER THE RED CROSS 



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In response to a universal demand, the Red Cross has pub- 
lished^^g^PECiAL Illustrated Edition of the Armenian Relief 
Report, of one hundred and forty-three pages, copies of which 
may be obtained, postage paid, by addressing and forwarding 
thirty cents to 

The American National Red Cross, 

Washington, D. C. 

The returns from this edition, less cost of publication, will be used for the 
further relief of the Armenian sufferers. 

In justice to the Armenian Relief Committees, it is eminently proper to 
emphasize the fact that all business relations between them and the Red Cross 
naturally closed on our return home. This fund is, therefore, -entirely in- 
dependent, and will go direct from the Red Cross to the needs of the field so 
well known to it. 



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RED CROSS HEADQUARTERS, CONSTANTINOPLE. 






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REPORT 



ERICA'S RELIEF EXPEDITION 




TO ASIA MINOR 



UNDER THE RED CROSS 



WASHINGTON, D. G. 
1896 



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PRINTED BY 

THE JOURNAL PUBLISHING COMPANY, 

MERIDEN, CONN. 



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REPORT OF 

MISS CLARA BARTON, 

PRESIDENT AND TREASURER OF THE AMERICAN 
NATIONAL RED CROSS. 



To the People of the United States: 

TN November, 1895, while busily occupied in editing a history 
^ of the Red Cross for publication, the press commenced to 
warn us of a possible call for the relief of the terrible suffer- 
ings of Armenia, which were engaging the attention of the 
civilized world. These warnings were followed later by a letter 
from Rev. Judson Smith, D. D., of Boston, Secretary of the 
American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions refer- 
ring his suggestion back to Rev. Henry O. Dwight, D. D., of 
the American Board of Foreign Missions at Constantinople. 
The American Red Cross was requested by these representative 
gentlemen, to undertake the distribution of relief funds among 
the sufferers of Armenia. Owing to the disturbed condition of the 
country and of its strict laws, combined as they were with exist- 
ing racial and religious differences, it was found almost impossi- 
ble at the moment to distribute the relief needed. The faithful 
but distressed resident missionaries were themselves helpless 
sufferers to a great extent and practically prisoners in their own 
houses. These had not always been spared to them in the wild 
excitement which reigned for several months previous, other- 
wise they would have been the normal channels for distribiiting 
aid. This written request from Dr. Smith was nearly identical 
with a similar one from Mr. Spencer Trask, of New York, who, 



4 REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 

with others, was about to form a National Armenian Relief 
Committee, to be established in that city. Following their 
letters, both of these gentlemen. Dr. Smith and Mr. Trask, 
came to Washington to personally urge our compliance with the 
request that we accept the charge of this distribution of relief 
funds. Accustomed to the trials, responsibilities and hardships 
of field relief labor, this proposition seemed something to be 
shrunk from rather tha-n accepted and we naturally hesitated. 
The idea, however, became public, and a general importunity 
on the part of the people became prevalent. The necessity for 
immediate action was urged ; human beings were starving and 
could not be reached, hundreds of towns and villages had not 
been heard from since the fire and sword went over them, and no 
one else was so well prepared for the work of field relief, it was 
said, as ourselves. It was urged that we had a trained force of 
field workers, and as Turkey was one of the signatory powers to 
the Red Cross treaty of Geneva, having given its adhesion as long 
ago as July, 1865, it must consequently be familiar with its 
methods and humanitarian ideas. Thus it was hoped that she 
would the more readily accept its presence than that of a more 
strange body of workers. These are only a shadowing of the 
reasons urged on behalf of our acceptance. Under this pres- 
sure, coupled with our strong S5^mpathies, the subject was taken 
into serious consideration with the simple demand on our part 
of two positive assurances : First, we must be assured by the 
committees that we were the choice of the people of the entire 
country, that there was no opposition to us, and that there was 
perfect unanimity between themselves ; there must be nowhere 
any discord ; the task would be difficult enough under the best 
conditions. Second, that they had the funds to distribute. 
Assured on both these points, our promise was given that we 
would go and do our best to make the desired distribution in 
the interior of Asia Minor. 

With this ray of hope that something might be done, the pent, 
up sympathies of the people burst forth. Public meetings 



REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 5 

were held, addresses made, Armenian conditions estimated, 
horrors reproduced, responsibilities placed, causes canvassed, 
and opinions expressed ; honest, humane, and entirely natural, 
precisely the course to rouse public sentiment and indignation, 
if that were the only or the main object in view. In con- 
sideration, however, of the relief effort, it was of question- 
able wisdom perhaps, when it is borne in mind that we had 
yet to ask the opening of a door hitherto closed against the 
world, when we needed permission to enter, in order to reach 
the starving sufferers with the relief that was planning for them. 
In the enthusiasm of the hour, this fact seemed to be entirely 
lost sight of. It also seemed to be forgotten that if this diffi- 
cult and delicate task were to be assigned to the Red Cross and 
its officers, that the making of their mission or of themselves 
personally, prominent or laudatory features of public gatherings 
where Ottoman officials or representatives were always listeners, 
could not fail to render the post more difficult, and prospects 
of success more doubtful. 

The international and neutral character of the Red Cross, as 
a medium of relief in mitigation of war or overwhelming calam- 
ity, appeared to be overlooked or wholly misunderstood. It was 
not recognized that only by abstaining from discordant opinions 
could we be in a position to perform our work. By the 
obligations of the Geneva treaty, all national controversies, 
racial distinctions, and differences in creed must be held in 
abeyance and only the needs of humanity considered. In this 
spirit alone can the Red Cross meet its obligations as the repre- 
sentative of the nations and governments of the world acting 
under it. But American enthusiasm is boundless, and its expres- 
sion limitless; and the same breath that crushed the Ottoman 
Empire, scattered it to the winds or sunk it in the lowest depths, 
elevated the Red Cross and its proposed relief out of sight 
among the clouds. Precautionary remonstrance from us was 
in vain, but it was not until after we had publicly given our 
consent, made all arrangements and appointed our aids, that the 



6 REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 

fruits of these ardent demonstrations became visible in a pro- 
nunciamento through the Turkish Minister resident at Wash- 
ington, prohibiting the Red Cross from entering Turkey. 

I found this decision on the part of the Bey and his govern- 
ment very natural and politically justifiable — our own govern- 
ment and people would probably have done the same or even 
more under similar conditions, provided similar conditions 
could have existed among them. I was ready to abide by the 
decision and remain at home. This, neither people nor com- 
mittees, would consent to. Of course our selected force of more 
than a score of trained and experienced field workers, each a 
specialist, must be given up. If any relief were now attempted 
it could only be individual, with two or three officers from head- 
quarters as indispensable aids. 

Previous to the annoimcement of the Turkish Minister pro- 
hibiting the Red Cross from entering Turkey, the promise had 
been gained from us to leave by the S. S. "New York" on the 
2 2d of January, and notwithstanding the reply to a cablegram 
from the Department of State to Constantinople, asking if the 
prohibition against the entrance of the Red Cross was really 
official and from the government itself, or but semi-official, had 
not been received, our promise was kept and we sailed with 
this uncertainty resting over us. 

The picture of that scene is still vivid in my memory. 
Crowded piers, wild with hurrahs, white with parting salutes, 
hearts beating with exultation and expectation — a little shorn 
band of five, prohibited, unsustained either by government or 
other authority, destined to a port five thousand miles away, 
from approach to which even the powers of the world had 
shrunk. What was it expected to do or how to do it? Visions of 
Don Quixote and his windmills loomed up, as I turned away 
and wondered. 

A week at sea, to be met at midnight at Southampton, by 
messenger down from London, to say that the prohibition was 
sustained, the Red Cross was forbidden, but that such persons 



REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 7 

as our Minister, Mr. Terrell, would appoint, would be received. 
Here was another delicate uncertainty which could not be com- 
mitted to Ottoman telegraph, and Dr. Hubbell was dispatched 
alone to Constantinople ( while we waited in London ) to learn 
from Mr. Terrell his attitude toward ourselves and our mission. 
Under favorable responses we proceeded, and reached Constan- 
tinople on February 15th; met a most cordial reception from all 
our own government officials, and located pro tern at Pera Pal- 
ace Hotel ; it being so recently after the Stamboul massacres 
that no less public place V\^as deemed safe. 

The following day we received in a body the members of the 
Missionary Board in Constantinople, including its treasurer, W. 
W. Peet, Esq., and Dr. Washburn, president of Robert College, 
and here commenced that friendly intercourse which continued 
without interruption, strengthening as the days wore on through 
the half year that followed, till moistened eyes and warm 
hand grasp at parting told more plainly than words how fraught 
with confidence that intercourse had been. If one would look 
for peers of this accomplished Christian body of our country- 
men, they would only be found in the noble band of women, 
who, as wives, mothers and teachers, aid their labors and share 
their hardships, privations and dangers. I shall always feel it a 
privilege and an honor to have been called, even in a small 
way, to assist the efforts of this chosen body of our countrymen 
and women, whose faithful and devoted lives are made sacred 
to the service of God and their fellow men. 

The first step was to procure an introduction to the Govern- 
ment which had in one sense refused me ; and accompanied by 
Minister Terrell and his premier interpreter, Gargiulo, perhaps 
the longest serving and one of the most experienced diplomatic 
officers in Constantinople, I called by appointment upon Tewfik 
Pasha, the Turkish Minister of Foreign affairs or Minister of 
State. To those conversant with the personages connected with 
Turkish affairs, I need not say that Tewfik Pasha is probably 
the foremost man of the Government; a manly man, with a 



8 REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 

kind, fine face, and genial, polished manners. Educated abroad, 
with advanced views on general subjects, he impresses one as a 
man who would sanction no wrong it was in his power to avert. 

We were received at the Department of State in an uninter- 
rupted interview lasting over an hour. As this was the main 
interview and the base of all our work, it is perhaps proper that 
I give it somewhat in detail. Mr. Terrell's introduction was 
most appropriate and well expressed, bearing with strong 
emphasis upon the suffering condition of the people of the 
interior in consequence of the massacres, and the great sym- 
pathy of the people of America, their intense desire to help 
them, the heartfelt interest in their missionaries whose burdens 
were greater than they ought to bear, and the desire to aid 
them, and that for all these reasons we had been asked to come ; 
that our objects were purely humanitarian, having neither 
political, racial, or religious bearing as such; that as the head 
of the organization thus represented I could have no other ideas, 
and it was the privilege of putting these ideas into practice 
and the protection required meanwhile that the people of 
America, through him and through me, were asking. 

The Pasha listened most attentively to the speech of Mr. 
Terrell, thanked him, and rejolied that this was well understood ; 
that they knew the Red Cross and its president, and turning to 
me repeated : ' ' We know you, Miss Barton ; have long known 
you and your work. We v/ould like to hear your plans for relief 
and what you desire." 

I proceeded to state them, bearing fully upon the fact that 
the condition to which the people of the interior of Asia Minor 
had been reduced by recent events had aroused the sympathy 
of the entire American people until they asked, almost to the 
extent of a demand, that assistance from them should be allow- 
ed to go directly to these sufferers, hundreds of whom had 
friends and relatives in America — a fact which naturally 
strengthened both the interest and the demand; that it v\^as 
at the request of our people, en masse ^ that I and a few assist- 



REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 9 

ants had come; that our object would be to use the funds 
ourselves among the people needing them wherever they were 
found, in helping them to resume their former positions and 
avocations, thus relieving them from continued distress, the 
State from the burden of providing for them, and other nations 
and people from a torrent of sympathy which was both hard to 
endure and unwholesome in its effects; that I had brought 
skilled agents, practical and experienced farmers whose first 
efforts would be to get the people back to their deserted fields 
and provide them with farming implements and material 
wherewith to put in summer crops and thus enable them to 
feed themselves. These would embrace plows, hoes, spades, 
seed-corn, wheat, and later, sickles, scythes, etc., for harvesting, 
with which to save the miles of autumn grain which we had 
heard of as growing on the great plains already in the ground 
before the trouble ; also to provide for them such cattle and 
other animals as it would be possible to purchase or to get back ; 
that if some such thing were not done before another winter, 
unless we had been greatly misinformed, the suffering there 
would shock the entire civilized world. None of us knew 
from personal observations, as yet, the full need of assistance, 
but had reason to believe it very great. That if my agents 
were permitted to go, such need as they found they would be 
prompt to relieve. On the other hand, if they did not find the 
need .existing there, none would leave the field so gladly as 
they. There would be no respecting of persons; humanity 
alone would be their guide. ''We have," I added, "brought 
only ourselves, no correspondent has accompanied us, and 
we shall have none, and shall not go home to write a 
book on Turkey. We are not here for that. Nothing shall be 
done in any concealed manner. All dispatches which we send 
will go openly through your own telegraph, and I should 
be glad if all that we shall write could be seen by your 
Government. I cannot, of course, say what its character will 
be, but can vouch for its truth, fairness and integrity, and for 



lO REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 

the conduct of every leading man who shall be sent. I shall 
never counsel nor permit a sly or underhand action with your 
Government, and you will pardon me, Pasha, if I say that I 
shall expect the same treatment in return — such as I give I 
shall expect to receive." 

Almost without a breath he replied — "And you shall have 
it. V/e honor your position and your wishes will be respected. 
Such aid and protection as we are able to, we shall render." 

I then asked if it were necessary for me to see other officials. 
*'No,"he replied, "I speak for my Government;" and with 
cordial good wishes, our interview closed. 

I never spoke personally with this gentleman again ; all further 
business being officially transacted through the officers of our 
Legation. Yet I can truly say, as I have said of my first meet- 
ing vvdth our matchless band of missionary workers, that here 
commenced an acquaintance which proved invaluable, and here 
were given pledges of mutual faith of which not a word was 
ever broken or invalidated on either side, and to which I owe what 
we were able to do through all Asia Minor. It is to the strong 
escorts ordered from the Sublime Porte for our expeditions and 
men, that I owe the fact that they all came back to me, and that 
I bring them home to you, tired and worn, but saved and useful 
still. 

Dr. Hubbell, and the leaders of the five expeditions tell us 
that they were never, even for a portion of a day without an 
escort for protection, and this at the expense of the Turkish 
Government, and that without this protection they must not and 
could not have proceeded. 

This interview with Tewfik Pasha was equal to a permit. 
Both Minister Terrell and myself cabled it to America as such. 
Dr. Hubbell, as general field agent, commenced at once to fit 
himself for a passage by the Black Sea, through Sivas to Har- 
poot. He had engaged a dragoman and assistants, and with 
Ernest Mason, who went with us as Oriental linguist, was pre- 
pared to ship next day, when at Selamlik I was officially waited 



REPORT OF MISS BARTON. II 

Upon by a Court Chamberlain who informed me that although 
greatly regretting it, they were compelled to ask me to delay my 
expedition, in order to give the Government time to translate 
and read some of the immense quantities of newspaper matter 
which was being thrown in upon them from America, and which 
from its context appeared to be of&cial, representing all our 
State Governors as engaged in a general move against Turkey, 
and that the chief seat of operations was the National Capitol. 
The Chamberlain tried by motions to show me that there were 
bushels of papers, and that it was impossible for them to translate 
them at once; that if they proved to be official as appeared 
by the great names connected with them, it was imperative that 
the Government consider them ; but if it proved to be mere news- 
paper talk it was of no consequence, and I was begged to 
delay until they could investigate. Having received some 
specimens myself, I did not wonder at this request, I only 
wondered at the kindly courtesy with which it was made. I 
will take the liberty of inserting one of the clippings which I 
had received as a sample of what Turkey had to consider. This 
is only one among scores, which had led me to consider how, 
with these representations, we were ever to get any further : 

PRO ARMENIAN ALLIANCE. 

ITS WORK TO BE EXTENDED TO THE REMOTEST SECTIONS OF THE UNITED STATES. 
GOVERNORS OF STATES WILL AID. 

[Special dispatch to the Sunday Herald.^ 

Washington, D. C, February 8, 1896.— The pro Armenian Alliance, 
with headquarters in this city, says the Evening News, which is working 
hand in glove with Miss Clara Barton and the Red Cross society for the 
relief of the Armenians, is rapidly completing arrangements for extending 
its work to the remotest sections of the United States. The permanent 
organization of the alliance was perfected in this city a little over a week 
ago, when the following officers were elected: President, R. S. Tharm; 
Vice-Presidents, B. Sunderland, D. D., and I. E. Gilbert, D. D. ; Secretary, 
H. L. Sargent; Treasurer, F. A. Stier. 

Within a few days the broadest promulgation of a pamphlet prepared by 
the alliance will begin. 



12 REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 

On the title page of the little book will appear these unique mottos, "God 
against Allah, Christ against Mohammed, Bible against Koran, Heaven 
against Hell!" 

It is proposed to proceed at once with the organization of local alliances 

throughout the Union, any person connected with a Christian organization 

or society, regardless of denomination, being eligible to membership, 
* -X- * * * * * * * -;{• * * * * 

The headquarters of the alliance at the National Hotel are open from 
lo to 12 o'clock. 

It is intended to send out about 2,000,000 of the pamphlets explaining 
the purposes of the alliance, in lots of 200,000 or more. The delegates to 
the national convention will be selected by the different local clubs. 

Well knowing, however, that investigation would show 
no trace of government or other official authority, we 
decided to lose no time, but to prepare ourselves for work at the 
earliest moment; and taking up the role of merchants, went 
into Stamboul, and purchased from the great wholesale houses, 
immense quantities of such material as could not fail of being 
useful and needed, to be later taken by caravan into the interior. 

Just at this interval, a request was brought to me by Dr. 
Washburn, of Robert College, from Sir Philip Currie, English 
Ambassador, asking if I could not be "persuaded" to turn my 
expedition through the Mediterranean, rather than the Black 
Sea, in order to reach Marash and Zeitoun, where the foreign 
consuls were at the moment convened. They had gotten word 
to him that ten thousand people in those two cities were down 
with four distinct epidemics — typhoid and typhus fevers, disen- 
tery and small pox — that the victims were dying in overwhelm- 
ing numbers and that there was not a physician among them, 
all being either sick or dead, with no medicines and little food. 
This was not a case for "persuasion," but of heartfelt thanks 
from us all that Sir Philip had remembered to call us whom he 
had never m.et. But here was a hindrance. The only means of 
conveyance from Constantinople to Alexandretta were coasting 
boats, belonging to different nationalities, and which left only once 
in two weeks and irregularly at that. Transport for our goods was 
secured on the first boat to leave, the goods taken to the wharf 



REPORT OF MISS BARTON. I3 

at Galata, and at the latest moment in order to give time, a 
request was made to the Government for teskeres or traveling 
permits for Dr. Hubbell and assistants. To our surprise they 
were granted instantly, but by some delay on the part of the mes- 
senger sent for them, they reached a moment too late; the boat 
left a little more than promptly, taking with it our relief goods, 
and leaving the men on the dock to receive their permits only 
when the boat was beyond recall. It was really the fault of no 
one. . With the least possible delay the doctor secured passage 
by the first boat to Smyrna^ and a fortunate chance boat from 
there, took him to Alexandretta, via Beyrout and Tripoli, 
Syria. The goods arrived in safety and two other of our assis- 
tants, whom we had called by cable from America, Messrs. Ed- 
ward M. Wistar and Charles King Wood, were also passed over 
to the same point v\rith more goods. There caravans were 
fitted out to leave over the, to them, unknown track to Aintab, 
as a first base. From this point the reports of each of these 
gentlemen made to me and compiled with this, will be living 
witnesses. I leave them to tell their own modest tales of expo- 
sure, severe travel, hard work and hardship, of which no v/ord 
of complaint has ever passed their lips. There has been only 
gratitude and joy that they could do something in a cause at 
once so great and so terrible. 

These little changes and accidents of travel, of not the 
slightest importance or concern to any one but ourselves, 
were naturally picked up and cabled to America as "news." 
The naming of the mere facts with neither explanations nor 
reasons assigned, could not be understood and only created 
confusion in the minds of the readers. They must, nevertheless, 
be accepted by our reporters, circulated, and discussed by our 
anxious people and perplexed committees. 

The transcript of a paragraph from a letter received from 
America March 25, will serve to recall, at this late date, some- 
thing of the state of feeling at the moment prevailing in 
America : 



14 REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 

" Great doubt and dissatisfaction is felt here at the changeable course 
you seem to pursue — why you should propose to go first to the Black Sea, 
then to the Mediterranean, then not at all. Why to Smyna, then to Alex- 
andretta, points where nothing is the matter and no help needed. They 
feel that you do not understand your own course, or are being deceived — 
will never get into the country — a fact which, it is said, is clearly seen 
here." 

To further elucidate the intense feeling in our sympathetic 
country, we give a few sentences from other letters received at 
that time : ♦ 

' ' What are those folks doing over there ? First we hear they 
are going to Harpoot by the Black Sea, next they have gone to 
Smyrna, there is nothing the matter at Smyrna, next to Alex- 
andretta; what have they gone there for? that is no place to go, 
anyone can go to Alexandretta. " "They don't seem to know 
what they are about." "They will never get into the country, 
we said so when they went, they ought to have known better 
themselves, we knew the Sultan would forbid them as he has ; 
they are only being duped." 

Unpleasant and somewhat ludicrous as these criticisms were, 
they served a purpose in coming back to us, as by them we were 
able to understand more fully the cables which had preceded 
them. "Give ns news in full of your doings, it is important that 
we know. " Every cable was answered with all the news we 
could send by that costly method. 

I had asked permission and escort for two caravans from 
Alexandretta but had learned later from them that they would 
unite and go together to Aintab, in company with the Rev. Dr. 
Fuller of that city, who requires no introduction to the mis- 
sionary or religious world. At this junction Mr. Gargiulo of 
the legation came to me in great haste (he having been sent 
for by the Sublime Porte), to know where our expeditions were. 
They had provided for two and could only get trace of one ; 
where was the other? Please get definite information and let 
them know at once. I had served on too many battle fields 



REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 1 5 

not to understand what this meant. I knew our men were in 
danger somewhere, and some one was trying to protect them, 
and sent back the fullest information that there was but one 
expedition out, and waited. Two days later came the news 
of the massacre at Killis by the Circassians. Killis lay directly 
in their track, unknown to them, and the Turkish troops had 
unexpectedly come up and taken them on. I can perhaps, at 
this distant date, give no more correct note of this and the 
condition of things as found, than by an extract from a letter 
written by me at the time to our world's friend and mine, 
Frances Willard. We were at this moment securing the med- 
ical expedition for Marash and Zeitoun. 

Dear Frances Willard: * * ■j^ * * May I also send a message 
by you to our people, to your people and my people ; in the name of your 
God and my God, ask them not to be discouraged in the good work they 
have undertaken. My heart would grow faint and words fail, were I to 
attempt to tell them the woes and the needs of these Christian martyrs. 
But what need to tell? They already know what words can say — alone, 
bereft, forsaken, sick and heartbroken, without food, raiment or shelter, on 
the snow-piled mountain sides and along the smoking valleys they wander 
and linger and perish. What more should I say to our people, but to show 
them the picture of what they themselves have already done. 

The scores of holy men and women sustained by them, with prayers in 
their hearts, tears in their voices, hovering like angels and toiling like 
slaves, along all these borders of misery and woe, counting peril as gain 
and death as naught, so it is in His Name. But here another picture rises ; 
as if common woe were not enough, the angel of disease flaps his black 
wings like a pall and in once bright Zeitoun and Marash contagion reigns • 
By scores, by hundreds, they die; no help, no medicine, no skill, iittle 
food, and the last yard of cotton gone to cover the sick and dying. To 
whom came the cry, "Help or we perish ! Send us physicians ! " The con- 
tributed gifts of America open the doors of classic Beyrout, and Ira Harris^ 
with his band of doctors speeds his way. In Eskandaroon sleep the waiting 
caravans. The order comes, "Arise and go ! henceforth your way is clear." 
Camels heavy laden, not with ivory and jewels, gold in the ingot and silk 
in the bales, but food and raiment for the starving, the sick, and the dying. 
Onward they sweep toward dread Killis — the wild tribe's knives before^ 
the Moslem troops behind — "go on ! we protect ;" till at length the spires of 
Aintab rise in view. Weary the camels and weary the men — Hub- 



1 6 REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 

bell, Fuller, Wistar, Wood, Mason — names that should live hi story for 
the brave deeds of that march but just begun. The quick, glad cry of 
v/elcome of a city that had known but terror, sorrow and neglect for 
months — a little rest, help given, and over the mountains deep in snow, 
weary and worn their caravans go, toiling on towards fever and death. 
Let us leave them to their task. This is the work of America's people 
abroad. My message, through you, to her people at home — not to her 
small and poor, but to her rich and powerful people is, remember this 
picture and be not weary in well doing. Clara Barton. 

While the first and second expeditions were fitting out from 
Alexandretta., the terrible state . of things at Zeitoun and 
Marash was confirmed by the leading missionaries there, and 
we were asked to assume the expense of physicians, drug- 
gists, medicines and medical relief in general. This we were 
only too glad to do. Negotiations had already been opened by 
them with Dr. George E. Post of Beyrout, the glorious outcome 
of which was the going out of Dr. Ira Harris of Tripoli, Syria, 
with his corps of local physicians, and the marvelous results 
achieved. For some cause the doctor took the route via Adana, 
rather than by Alexandretta, and found himself in the midst of 
an unsafe country with insuiiicient escort. After a delay of two 
or three da3^s, he got a dispatch to us at Constantinople. This 
dispatch was immediately sent through our Legation to the 
Porte, and directly returned to me with the written assurance 
that the proper steps had been instantly taken. On the same 
day Dr. Harris left Adana with a military escort that took his 
expedition through, leaving it only when safe in Marash. 

Dr. Hubbell had arrived some days previous, but following 
instructions left immediately on the arrival of Dr. Harris, to 
pursue his investigations in the villages, and supply the general 
need of the people wherever found. This formed really the 
foiu'th expedition in the field at that early date, as the separate 
charges later so efficiently assumed by Messrs. Wistar and 
Wood, who were on the ground previous to the medical expe- 
dition, became known as the second and third expeditions. 



REPORT OF MISS BARTON. I? 

It will be inferred that the assignment, furnishing and direc- 
tion of these several expeditions, nearly a thousand miles distant, 
four weeks by personal travel, six weeks to write a letter and get 
reply, from two days to almost any time by telegraph, accord- 
ing to the condition of the wires, and in any language from 
Turkish and Greek to Arabic, with all other duties immediately 
surrounding, could not leave large leisure for home correspond- 
ence. While conscious of a restlessness on this score, we be- 
gan to be mystified by the nature and text of dispatches from 
committees at home: "Contributors object to Turkish distribu- 
tion." What could it mean? We could only reply: "Do not 
understand your dispatch. Please explain." These were fol- 
lowed by others of a similar character from other sources; 
finally letters, expressing great regret at the means to which I 
had been compelled to resort in order to accomplish my distri- 
bution, and the disastrous effect it could not fail to have upon 
the raising of funds. "Well, it was probably the only way to 
do, they had expected it, in fact, foretold it all the time."— 
What had I done? The mystery -deepened. Finally, through 
the waste of v^aters and the lapse of time it got to me.— A little 
four line cablegram from Constantinople as follows : 

"The council of ministers has decided that Miss Clara Barton can work 
only in conjunction with the Turkish commission in the distribution of re- 
Hef , and can only use their lists of destitute Armenians. An Irade to that 
effect is expected." 

No one had thought to inquire if this statement were true, 
no one had referred it to me, and as well as I ought to be known 
by our people, the question if I would be likely to take such a 
step, seems not to have been raised. It had been taken for granted 
through all America, England, and even the Missionary Boards 
of Turkey, th.at I had pledged myself and signed papers, to dis- 
tribute the funds entrusted to me, under Turkish inspection and 
from lists furnished by Turkish officials. Myself and my officers 
appeared to be the only persons who had never heard of it. As- 
tonished and pained beyond measure it was plainly and emphati- 



l8 REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 

cally denied. Our press books of that date are marvels of denial. 
Sir Philip Currie and the Turkish Government itself, came to 
the rescue, declaring that no such course was ever intended. 
Secretary Olney was cabled to try "to make the people of 
America understand that the Turkish Government did not inter- 
fere with their distribution. " In spite of all this, it went on until 
people and committees were discouraged ; the latter cabling that 
in the present state of feeling little or nothing more could be 
expected, and gently suggesting the propriety of sending the 
balance in hand to other parties for distribution. My own 
National Red Cross officers in America, hurt and disgusted at 
the unjust form affairs were taking, in sympathy advised the 
leaving of the field and returning home. 

Here was a singular condition of affairs. A great interna- 
tional work of relief, every department of which was succeed- 
ing beyond all expectation, wherein no mistakes had been made, 
letters of gratitude and blessing pouring in from every field of 
labor, finances carefully handled and no pressure for funds. On 
the other hand a whole nation in a panic, strong committees 
going to pieces, and brave faithful officers driven through pity 
to despair and contempt, and the cause about to be abandoned 
and given tip to the lasting harm of all humanity. So desper- 
ate a case called for quick and heroic measures. Realizing the 
position of the committees from their own sad reports, I at 
once cabled relieving them from further contributions : ' ' We will 
finish the field witho2it further aid.'' To my Red Cross officers 
I dictated the following letter, which I believe was used some- 
what by the harrassed committees in struggling on to their feet 

again : 

Ayaz-Pacha, Taxim, Constantinople, April i8, 1896. 
P. V. DeGraw, Esq., Corresponding Secretary, 

American National Red Cross, Washington, D. C.,*U. S. A. 

Dear Mr. DeGraw: I received both your and Stephen E. Barton's 

heavy-hearted and friendly letters, and they fell on soil about as heavy. I 

could not understand how it could be, for I knew we had done our best and 

I believed the best that could have been done under the circumstances and 



REPORT OF MISS BARTON. I9 

conditions. I knew we held a great, well organized relief that would be 
needed as nothing else could be. That besides us, there was no one to 
handle the terrible scourge that was settling down— no one here, no one to 
come, who could touch it. I knew I was not interfered with; that no 
"restrictions" nor propositions had been imposed or even offered; that the 
Government was considerate and accorded all I asked. But what had 
stirred America up and set it, apparently, against us ? The relief societies 
going to pieces, and turning sad glances here ? We could not understand 
it. I did not wonder that you thought we "had best come home," still I 
knew we would not ; indeed, we could not. I have a body of relief on these 
fields, hundreds of miles away in the mountains, a thousand miles from me, 
that I could not draw off in six weeks, and if we were to, it would be to aban- 
don thousands of poor, sick, suffering wretches to a fate that ought to shock 
the entire world. Sick, foodless, naked, and not one doctor and no 
medicine among them; whole cities scourged and left to their fate, to 
die without a hand raised to help excepting the three or four resolute 
missionaries, tired, worn, God-serving, at their posts until they drop. The 
civilized world running over with skillful physicians, and not one there ; no 
one to arrange to get them there ; to pay expenses, take special charge and 
thus make it possible for them to go. And we, seeing that state of things, 
holding in our grasp the relief we had been weeks preparing and organizing 
in anticipation of this, to turn back, draw off our helpers, send back the 
doctors already started, give all up because somebody had said something, 
the press had circulated it, the world had believed it, our disappointed 
committees had lost heart and grown sore struggling with an occupation 
rather new to them, and the people had taken alarm and failed to sustain 
them. Was this all there was of us? No purpose of our own ? "On 
Change," like the price of wheat on the market? In the name of God and 
Humanity this field must be carried, these people must be rescued ; skill, 
care, medicines and food for the sick must reach them. And it is a glad 
sight to my soul to think of Turkish troops taking thsse bands of doctors 
on to Marash. They have done it, and are at this very hour marching 
on with them to their field of labor. What does one care for criticism, 
disapproval or approval, under circumstances like these ? Don't be troubled 

v>re can carry it. We are fair financiers, not dismayed, and God helping, 

can save our hospitals. 

It remains to be said that the remedy was effective. The 
panic settled away and it is to be hoped that there are few 
people in any country to-day who do not understand that 
America's fund was distributed by its own agents, without mo- 



20 REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 

lestation or advices from the Turkish or any other government. 

I have named this incident, not so much as a direct feature of 
the work of distribution, nor to elicit sympathy, as to point a 
characteristic of our people and the customs of the times in 
which we are living, in the hope that reflection may draw 
from it some lessons for the future. One cannot fail to 
see how nearly a misguided enthusiasm, desire for sensational 
news, vital action without thought or reflection, came to the 
overthrowing of their entire object, the destruction of all that 
had been, or has since been accomplished for humanity, and the 
burial of their grand work and hopes in a defeated and dis- 
graceful grave, which, in their confusion, they would never 
have realized that they had dug for themselves. They are to- 
day justly proud of their work and the w^orld is proud of them. 

Our very limited number of assistants made it necessary that 
each take a separate charge as soon as possible ; and the divis- 
ion at Aintab and the hastening of the first division, under Dr. 
Hubbell, northeastward to Marash, left the northwestern route 
through Oorfa and Diarbekir, to Messrs. Wistar and Wood; the 
objective point for all being Harpoot, where they planned to 
meet at a certain date. Nothing gave me greater joy than to 
know they would meet our brave and world-honored country- 
woman. Miss Shattuck, isolated, surrounded by want and misery, 
holding her fort alone, and that something from our hands could 
go to strengthen hers, emptied by the needs of thousands every 
day. If they might have still gone to Van, and reached our 
other heroic, capable and accomplished countrywoman. Dr. 
Grace Kimball, it would have been an added joy. But the way 
was long, almost to Ararat; the mountains high and the snows 
deep ; and more than all it seemed that the superb management 
of her own grand work made help there less needed than at 
many other less fortunate points. It seemed remarkable that the 
two expeditions separating at Aintab, on the sixth day of April, 
with no trace of each other between, should have met at Har- 
poot on April 29, within three hours of each other; and that 



REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 21 



when the city turned out en niassp, with its missionaries in the 
lead, to meet and welcome Dr. Hubbell and the "Red Cross," 
that far away in the rear, through masses of people from house- 
top to street, modestly waited the expedition from Oorfa. 

This expedition containing as it did two leadmg men, again 
divided, taking between them, as their separate reports show, 
charges of the relief of two hundred villages of the Harpoot 
vilayet, and later on Diarbekir, and that by their active provis- 
ion and distribution of farming implements and cattle and the 
raising of the hopes and courage of the people, they succeeded 
in securing the harvest and saving the grain crops of those 
magnificent valleys. 

While this was in progress a dispatch came to me at Con- 
stantinople from Dr. Shepard of Aintab, whose tireless hands 
had done the work of a score of men, saying that fevers, both 
typhoid and typhus of a most virulent nature had broken out in 
Arabkir, two or three days north of Harpoot; could I send 
doctors and help? Passing the word on to Dr. Hubbell at 
Harpoot, the prompt and courageous action was taken by him 
which his report will name, but never fully show. It is some- 
thing to say that from a rising pestilence with a score of deaths, 
daily, in five weeks, himself and his assistants left the city in 
a normally healthful condition in which it remained at last 
accounts, the mortality ceasing at once under their care and 
treatment. 

Durine this time the medical relief for the cities of Zeitoun 
and Marash was in charge of Dr. Harris, who reached there 
March i8th. The report of the consuls had placed the daily 
number of deaths from the four contagious diseases at one 
hundred. This would be quite probable when it is considered 
that ten thousand were smitten with the prevailing diseases, 
and that added to this were the crowded conditions of the 
patients, by the thousands of homeless refugees who had flocked 
from their forsaken villages ; the lack of all comforts, of air, 
cleanliness, and a state of prolonged starvation. Dr. Harris' 



22 REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 

first report to me was that he was obliged to set the soup kettles 
boiling and feed his patients before medicine could be retained. 
My reply was a draft for two hundred liras, with the added 
dispatch: ''Keep the pot boiling; let us know your wants." 
The further reports show from this time an astonishingly small 
number of deaths. The utmost care was taken by all ou.r ex- 
peditions to prevent the spread of the contagion and there is no 
record of its ever having been carried out of the cities, where it 
was fou.nd, either at Zeitoun, Marash, or Arabkir. Lacking 
this precaution, it might well have spread throughout all Asia 
Minor, as was greatly feared by the anxious people. On the 
24th of May Dr. Harris reported the disease as overcome. His 
stay being no longer needed, he returned to his great charge in 
Tripoli with the record of a medical work and success behind 
him never surpassed if ever equalled. The lives he had saved 
were enough to gain Heaven's choicest diadem. Never has 
America cause to be so justly proud and grateful as when its 
sons and daughters in foreign lands perform deeds of worth like 
that. 

The appalling conditions at Zeitoun and Marash on the arrival 
-of Dr. Harris, naturally led him to call for more physicians, 
and the most strenuous efforts were made to procure them, but 
the conditions of the field were not tempting to medical men. 
Dr. Post had already sent the last recruit from Beyrout, still he 
manfully continued his efforts. Smyrna was canvassed through 
the efforts of our prompt and efficient Consul, Col. Madden, on 
whom I felt free to make heavy drafts, remembering tenderly 
as we both did, when we stood together in the Red Cross relief of 
the Ohio floods of 1884. Failing there, I tu.rned my efforts 
upon Constantinople. Naturally, we must seek national ties 
outside of Armenians. We succeeded in finding four Greek 
physicians, who were contracted with, and sailed May nth, 
through perplexing delays of shipping, taking with them large 
and useful medical supplies and delicacies for the sick, as well as 
several large disinfecting machines which were loaned to us by 



REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 23 

the Turkish Government, Dr. Zavitziano, a Greek physician, 
who kindly assisted us in many ways, conducting the negotia- 
tions. Through unavoidable delays they were able to reach 
Alexandretta only on May 25th. By this time the fevers 
had been so far overcome that it was not deemed absolutely 
necessary for them to proceed to Marash ; and after conferring 
with Dr. Harris, they returned to Constantinople, still remain- 
ing under kindly contract without remuneration to go at once if 
called upon by us even to the facing of cholera, if it gained a 
foothold in Asia Minor. We should not hesitate to call for the 
services of these gentlemen even at this distance if they became 
necessary. This was known as the fifth expedition, which, al- 
though performing less service was by far the most difficult to 
obtain, and the most firmly and legally organized of any. 

The closing of the medical fields threw our entire force into 
the general relief of the vilayet of Harpoot which the relieving 
missionaries had well named their "bottomless pit," and where 
we had already placed almost the entire funds of the Boston 
and Worcester committees. 

One will need to read largely between the lines of the modest 
skeleton reports of our agents in order to comprehend only 
approximately the work performed by them and set in motion for 
others to perform. The apathy to v/hich the state of utter nothing- 
ness, together with their grief and fear, had reduced the 
inhabitants was by no means the smallest difficulty to be over- 
come ; and here was realized the great danger felt by all — that 
of continued almsgiving, lest they settle down into a condition of 
pauperism, and thus, finally starve from the inability of the world 
at large to feed them. The presence of a strange body of friendly 
working people coming thousands of miles to help them, awak- 
ened a hope and stimulated the desire to help themselves. It 
was a new experience that these strangers dared to come 
to them. Although the aforetime home lay a heap of stone and 
sand, and nothing belonging to it remained, still the land was 
there and when seed to plant the ground and the farming 



24 REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 

utensils and cattle were brought to work it with, the faint spirit 
revived, the weak, hopeless hands unclasped, and the farmer 
stood on his feet again; and when the cities could no longer 
provide the spades, hoes, plows, picks, and shovels, and the 
crude iron and steel to make them was taken to them, the 
blacksmith found again his fire and forge and traveled weary 
miles with his bellows on his back. The carpenter again swung 
his hammer and drew his saw. The broken and scattered 
spinning wheels and looms from under the storms and debris of 
winter, again took form and motion, and the fresh bundles of 
wool, cotton, flax, and hemp, in the waiting widow's hand 
brought hopeful visions of the revival of industries which 
should not only clothe but feed. 

At length, in early June, the great grain fields of Diarbekir, 
Farkin and Harpoot valleys, planted the year before, grew 
golden and bowed their heavy spear-crowned heads in waiting 
for the sickle. But no sickles were there, no scythes, not even 
knives, and it was a new and sorry sight for our full -handed 
American farming men, to see those poor, hard, Asiatic hands, 
trying by main strength to break the tough straw or pull it by 
the roots. This state of things could not continue, and their 
sorrow and pity gave place to joy when they were able to drain 
the cities of Harpoot and Diarbekir of harvest tools, and turned 
the work of all the village blacksmiths on to the manufacture 
of sickles and scythes, and of the flint workers upon the rude 
threshing machines. The}^ have told me since their return that 
the pleasantest memories left to them, were of those great val- 
leys of golden grain, bending and falling before the harvesters, 
men and women, each with the new sharp sickle or scythe — the 
crude threshing planks, the cattle trampling out the grain, and 
the gleaners in the rear as in the days of Abraham and Mcab. 
God grant that somewhere among them was a kind hearted 
king of the harvest who gave orders to let some sheaves fall. 

Even while this saving process was going on, another condi- 
tion no less imperative arose. These fields must be replanted 



REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 25 

for the coming- year, or starvation had been simply delayed. 
Only the strength of their old time teams of oxen could break 
up the hard sod and prepare for the Fall sovv^ng. Not an ani- 
mal—ox, cow, horse, goat or sheep had been left. All had been 
driven to the Kourdish mountains. When Mr. Wood's telegram 
came, calling for a thousand oxen for the hundreds of 
villages, some of which were very large, I thought of our not 
rapidly swelling bank account, and all that was needed every- 
where else, and replied accordingly. But when, in return, came 
the telegram from the Rev. Dr. Gates, president of Harpoot Col- 
lege, the live, active, practical m.an of affairs, whose judgment 
no one could question, saying that the need of oxen was imper- 
ative, that unless the ground could be ploughed before it dried 
and hardened, it could not be done at all, and the next harvest 
would be lost, and that " Mr. Wood's estimate was moderate," 
I loosened my grasp on the bank account and directed the 
financial secretary to send a draft for 5,000 liras ($22,000) to care 
of Rev. Dr. Gates, Harpoot, to be divided among the three 
expeditions for the purchase of cattle and the progress of the 
harvest of 1897. 

This draft left something less than $3,000 with us to finish 
up the field in all other directions. As the sum sent would be 
immediately applied, the active services of the men would be 
no longer required, and directions went with the remittance 
to report in person at Constantinople. Unheard of toil, care, 
hard riding day and night, with risk of life, were all involved 
in the carrying out of that order. Among the uncivilized and 
robber bands of Kourds, the cattle that had been stolen and 
driven off must be picked up, purchased and brought back to 
the waiting farmers' field. There were routes so dangerous 
that a brigand chief was selected by those understanding the 
situation as the safest escort for our men. Perhaps the greatest 
danger encountered was in the region of Farkin, beyond Diar- 
bekir, where the official escort had not been waited for, and the 
levelled musket of the faithless guide told the difference. 



26 REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 

At length the task was accomplished. One by one the ex- 
peditions closed and withdrew, returning by Sivas and Samsotin 
and coming out by the Black Sea. By that time it is probable 
that no one questioned the propriety of their route or longer 
wondered or cared why they went to Smyrna or Alexandretta, 
Sivas or Samsoun. The perplexed frowns of our anxious com- 
mittees and sympathetic people had long given way to smiles of 
confidence and approval, and glad hands would have reached far 
over the waters to meet ours as warmly extended to them. 

With the return of the expeditions we closed the field, but 
contributors v/ill be glad to know that subsequent to this, before 
leaving Constantinople, funds from both the New York and 
Boston committees came to us amounting to some $15,000. 
This was happily placed with Mr. Peet, treasurer of the Board 
of Foreign Missions at Stamboul, to be used subject to our 
order, and with our concurrence it is now being employed in 
the building of little houses in the interior as a winter shelter 
and protection where all had been destroyed. 

The appearance of our men on their arrival at Constantinople 
confirmed the impression that they had not been recalled too 
soon. They had gone out through the snows and ice of winter 
and without change or rest had come back through the scorch- 
ing suns of midsummer — five months of rough, uncivilized life, 
faring and sharing with their beasts of burden, well nigh out of 
communication with the civilized world, but never out of danger, 
it seemed but just to themselves and to others w^ho might yet 
need them that change and rest be given them. 

Since our entrance upon Turkish soil no general disturbance 
had taken place. One heard only the low rumbling of the 
thunder after the storm, the clouds were drifting southward 
and settling over Crete and Macedonia, and we felt that we 
might take at least some steps towards home. It was only 
when this movement commenced that we began to truly realize 
how deep the roots of friendship, comradeship, confidence, and 
love had struck back among our nev^^ly found friends and country- 



REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 27 

men ; how much a part of ourselves — educational, humanitarian, 
and official — their work and interests had become, and surely 
from them we learned anew the lesson of reciprocity. 

Some days of physical rest were needful for the men of the 
expeditions after reaching Constantinople before commencing 
another journey of thousands of miles, worn as they were by 
exposure, hardship, and incessant labor, both physical and 
mental. This interval of time was, however, niainly employed 
by them in the preparation of the reports submitted with this, 
and in attention to the letters which followed them from their 
various fields, telling of further need but more largely over- 
flowing with gratitude and blessing for what had been done. 

For our Financial Secretary and myself there could be neither 
rest nor respite while we remained at a disbursing post so well 
known as ours. Indeed there never had been. From the time 
of our arrival in February to our embarkation in August, there 
were but two days not strictly devoted to business — the 4th of 
July and the 5th of August — the last a farewell to our friends. 
For both of these occasions we were indebted to the hospitality of 
Treasurer and Mrs. W. W. Peet, and although held in the open 
air, on the crowning point of Proti, one of the Princes' Islands, 
with the Marmara, Bosphorus and Golden Horn in full view, 
the spires and minarets of Constantinople and Scutari telling us 
of a land we knew little of, with peoples and customs strange 
and incomprehensible to us, still there was no lack of the 
emblem that makes every American at home, and its wavy 
folds of red, white and blue shaded the tables and flecked the 
tasteful viands around which sat the renowned leaders of the 
American missionary element of Asia Minor. Henry O. 
D wight, D. D., the accomplished gentleman and diplomatic 
head, who was the first to suggest an appeal to the Red Cross, 
and I am glad to feel he has never repented him of his decision. 
One fact in regard to Dr. Dwight may be of interest to some 
hundreds of thousands of our people : On first meeting him I 
was not quite sure of the title by which to address him, if 



28 REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 

reverend or doctor, and took the courage to ask him. He 
turned a glance full of amused meaning upon me as he replied : 
"That is of little consequence; the title I prize most is Captain 
Dwight. " "Of what ? " I asked. ' ' Co. D, 20th Ohio Volunteers 
in our late vrar. " The recognition which followed can well be 
imagined by the comrades for whose interest I have named the 
incident. 

Rev. Joseph K, Greene, D. D., and his amiable wife, to 
whom so much is due towards the well being of the missionary 
Vvork of Constantinople. I regret that I am not able to repro- 
duce the eloquent and patriotic remarks of Dr. Greene on both 
these occasions, so true to our country, our Government and 
our laws. Rev. George P. Knapp, formerly of Bitlis, whose 
courage no one questions. Mrs. Lee of Marash, and Mrs. Dr. 
George Washburn of Robert College, the worthy and efficient 
daughters of Rev. Dr. Cyrus Hamlin, the veteran missionary 
and founder of Robert College, living in Lexington, Mass. 
A half -score of teachers, whose grand lives will one day grace 
the pages of religious histor}'. And last, though by no means 
least, our host, the man of few words and much work, who 
bears the burden of monetary relief for the woes and wants of 
Asia Minor, W. W. Peet, Esq. 

It was a great satisfaction that most of our field agents were 
able to be present at the last of these beautiful occasions and 
personally render an account of their stewardship to those who 
had watched their course with such interest. The pleasure of 
these two days of recreation will ever remain a golden light in 
our memories. 

As the first ofScial act of the relief work after our arrival in 
Constantinople was my formal presentation to the Sublime 
Porte by the American minister, ' Hon. A. Y^ . Terrell, diplo- 
matic courtes}^ demanded that I take proper occasion to notify 
the Turkish Government of our departure and return thanks 
for its assistance, which was done formally at "Selamlic,"a 
religious ceremony held on the Turkish Sabbath v/hich corre- 



REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 29 

Spends to our Friday. The Court Chamberlain delivered my 
message to the palace. It was received and responded to 
through the same medium and I took my departure, having 
finished my diplomatic work with that Government v/hich had 
from first to last treated me with respect, assisted my v/ork and 
protected my workers. 

To correct certain impressions and expressions which have 
been circulating more or less extensively in this country, and 
for the correct information of the people who through their loyal 
interest deserve to know the facts, I make known my entire 
social relations while residing in Turkey. Personally I did not 
go beyond Constantinople. The proper conduct of our work 
demanded the continuous presence of both our Financial Secre- 
tary and myself at headquarters. I never saw, to personally 
communicate with, any member of the Turkish Government 
excepting its Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tewfik Pasha, as 
named previously. I never spoke with the Sultan and have 
never seen him excepting in his carriage on the way to his 
mosque. 

On being informed through our Legation that the Turkish 
minister at Washington, Mavroyeni Bey, had been recalled and 
that his successor was about to leave for his new position, I felt 
that national courtesy required that I call upon him and, at- 
tended by a member of our legation, my secretary and myself 
crossed the Bosphorus to a magnificent estate on the Asiatic 
shore, the palatial home of Moustapha Tahsin Bey, a gentleman 
of culture, who had resided in New York in some legal capacity 
and who, I feel certain, will be socially and officially acceptable 
to our Government. 

I have never received from the Turkish Government any 
decoration or other testimonial of approval, although that is its 
customary and usual method of expressing pu.blic satisfaction. 
If later any such expression of approval of the relief sent by 
our country be given I will make it known, as due to the gen- 
erosity of our people and by no means personal for myself. 



30 REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 

I have, however, received a decoration, officially described as 
follows : 

"Brevet of Chevalier of the Royal Order of Melusine, founded in 1186, 
by Sibylle, Queen and spouse of King Guy of Jerusalem, and re-instituted 
several years since by Marie, Princess of Lusignan. The order is conferred 
for humanitarian, scientific and other services of distinction, but especially 
when such services are rendered to the House of Lusignan, and particu- 
larly to the Armenian Nation. The Order is v/orn by a number of reigning 
sovereigns, and is highly prized by the recipients because of its rare 
bestowal and its beauty. This decoration is bestowed by His Royal High- 
ness, Guy of Lusignan, Prince of Jerusalem, Cyprus and Armenia." 

The first notice of this honor came to me through our own 
Smithsonian Institute, as indicating its scientific character. 

On the ninth of August we took passage on board the S. S. 
' ' Meteor, " a Roumanian steamer plying between Constantinople 
and the ports of the Black Sea, our objective point being Cos- 
tanza at the mouth of the Danube River. This was our first 
step toward home, and the leaving of a people on whom, in 
common with the civilized world, our whole heart interest had 
been centered for more than half a year ; having no thought, 
however, until the hour of parting revealed it, of the degree of 
interest that had been centered on us. 

On the spacious deck of the steamer were assembled our 
entire American representation at Constantinople, prepared to 
accompany us through the Bosphorus, their boats having been 
sent forward to take them off near the entrance of the Black 
Sea. 

The magnificent new quay in either direction was crowded 
with people without distinction of nationality, the strange cos- 
tumes and colors commingling in such variety as only an 
Oriental city can produce, patiently waiting the long hour of 
preparation. When at length the hoarse whistle sounded and 
the boat swayed from its moorings, the dense crowd swayed 
with it and the subdued tones pealed out in tongues many and 
strange; but all had one meaning — thanks, blessings and God 
speed. We received these manifestations reverently, for while 



REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 3 1 

they meant kindliness to us and our work, they meant far more 
of homage and honor for the nation and people we represented. 
And not only in Constantinople but the shores of the Bosphorus 
as we proceeded, presented similar tokens of recognition — the 
wavy Stars and Stripes from Robert College, Bebek, and 
Hissar, told more strongly than words how loyal to their own 
free land were the hearts and hands toiling so faithfully in 
others. 

Touching at Budapest for a glimpse at its Millennial Exposi- 
tion ; at Vienna to pay respects to our worthy Minister, Hon. 
Bartlett Tripp ; we hastened to meet the royal greeting of the 
Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Baden, at their beautiful 
island of Minau in Lake Constance — the wedding gift of the 
Grand Duke to his young princess bride forty-three years ago. 
It was a great pleasure to be able to bring our hard-worked 
men into personal contact with these active royal personages, 
who know so well in their own philanthropic lives how to appre- 
ciate such labor in others. 

Lest some may not recall directly the lines of royal succes- 
sion, our readers will pardon me if I say that the Grand Duchess of 
Baden is the only datighter of the old Emperor William and 
Empress Augusta, the sister of Germany's "Fritz," the aunt 
of the present Emperor, the mother of the Crown Princess of 
Sweden, and the granddaughter of the beloved Queen Louise, 
whom she is said to very much resemble. 

One day was given to Strassburg — another labor field of the 
Franco-German war, of longer duration than Armenia — reach- 
ing London on the 24th day of August. 

Our passage was engaged on the " Servia," to sail September 
I St, when the news of the terrible troubles in Constantinople 
reached us. We were shocked and distressed beyond words. 
The streets w^here we had passed, the people who had served 
us, the Ottoman bank where we had transacted business almost 
daily for nearly half a year, all in jeopardy if not destroyed. 
Our men of the interior feared a general uprising there, in 



32 REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 

which case we might be able to help. Our sense of duty did 
not permit us to proceed until the facts were better known. We 
cancelled or rather transferred our passage by the ^'Servia," 
telegraphed to Constantinople and cabled to America, express- 
ing our willingness to return to the field if .our services were 
in any way needed. Kindly advices from both directions_, to- 
gether with a more quiet condition of things, decided us to con- 
tinue our journey, and engaging passage by the " Um^bria" for 
the 5th, we arrived in New York on the 12th of September, 
eight months lacking ten days from the time of our departure 
on the 2 2d of January. 



DISTANCES AND DIFFICULTIES OF TRAVEL, TRANSPORTATION 
AND COMMUNICATIONS. 

For the convenience of the closely occupied who have not 
time to stud}^ as they read, I have thought it well to condense 
the information above referred to in a paragraph, which can be 
taken in at a glance, in connection with the map. 

The one great port of Asia Minor, is Constantinople. To 
reach the center, known as Anatolia or Armenia, there are two 
routes from Constantinople. One by way of the Mediterranean 
sea to Alexandretta, the southern port or gateway ; the other 
by the Black Sea, to reach the northern ports of Samsoun and 
Trebizond, lying along the southern coast of the Black Sea. 
There is no land route, but a " pony post, " like the overland days 
of California, takes important dispatches for the government, or 
money. The way is infested by brigands. 

There are no regular passenger boats, but Russia, Austria, 
France and Greece have despatch — in reality, coasting boats, 
one of which aims to leave Constantinople each week, although 
at first we found it at least two weeks between the times of 
sailing and irregular at that. 



REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 33 

The time from Constantinople to Alexandretta is eight to ten 
days. From Constantinople to Samsonn, two days. From 
either of these ports the interior must be reached by land. 
From Alexandretta to Harpoot is fifteen (15) days. 
*' " '' Marash is five (5) days. 

" " '' Zeitonn is seven (7) days. 

" " Oorfa is six (6) days. 

*' " " Diarbekir is twelve (12) days. 

On the north from Samsoun to Harpoot is fifteen (15) days. 
These journeys were made by horse, mule or donkey, over 
mountain paths, rocks and precipices. Only in comparatively 
a few places are there roads allowing the passing of a wheeled 
vehicle of any kind, even the passing of a horse along the 
steep declivities is sometimes dangerous. 

COMMUNICATIONS. 

As will be seen, the sending of a letter from Constantinople 
to the interior, requires at the best six weeks, or forty-six days 
with no delays. 

Only the large and more important towns have telegraphic 
communication. This requires tM^o, three, four days or a week, 
according to circumstances. These despatches are all sent and 
must be answered in Turkish. The larger towns have 
m.ai1s usually leaving once a week, carried on horses with a mil- 
itary guard. No newspaper is published in Asia Minor. 

The missionary stations, with but two or three exceptions, 
are not near the seacoast, but from three to fifteen days travel 
from either the Mediterranean or the Black Sea, or three to 
twenty-five days to the nearest Mediterranean port. As will be 
seen by reference to the map the following stations are on the 
seaboard : Trebizond on the Black Sea ; Smyrna and a small 
station near Merisine on the Mediterranean, and Constant- 
inople on the Bosphorus. 

The following are inland and during several months in the 
winter and spring must be nearly, if not quite, inaccessible to 



34 REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 

outside approach: Adabazar, Bardezag, Brousa, Cesarea, Mar- 
sovan, Hadjin, Tarsus, Adana, Mardin, Aintab, Marash, Sivas, 
Harpoot, Oorfa, Erzingan, Erzroom, Van, Bitlis. 

FUNDS. 

It should be distinctly understood by contributors, that neither 
their letters, nor any individual contributions came to us; these 
were received by the committees or parties raising the funds in 
America. The letters were doubtless faithfully acknowledged, 
and the various sums of money placed in the general fund for- 
warded to us by them. All contributions received by us 
directly at Constantinople are acknowledged in our report. 

Although an account of the disposition of all funds is ren- 
dered in the report of the financial secretary, which, after verifi- 
cation, I signed jointly with him, I will however at the risk of 
repetition, take the liberty of adding the following remarks on 
the subject: 

It is to be borne always in mind that the amotint of money to 
be distributed was never made a concern of ours, provided 
there were actually ^^ funds to distribute.'' To the question so 
frequently and kindly asked of us, ' ' Did you have money 
enough, or were you embarrassed in your operations by want of 
funds? " I beg to have this reply intelligently understood; that 
we had alv/ays money enough in hand for the work in hand. 
We were never embarrassed in our operations by lack of funds, 
holding as I always have, that charitable relief in order to be 
safe and efBcient, should be conducted on the same reasonable 
basis as business, and that a good business man unless by acci- 
dent on the part of other persons, or of circumstances, will 
never find himself embarrassed, as he will never undertake more 
than he has the means to successfully accomplish. We were 
never embarassed in our operations by lack of funds, and our 
committees will testify that no intimation of that kind ever came 
to them from us. This would have been both unv/ise and un- 
just. According to the universal system of charitable relief. 



REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 35 

all was being done that could be done ; but if asked if we had 
enough for the 7ieeds of the people, enough to relieve the distress 
through desolated Asia Minor, enough to make those people 
comfortable again, then a very tender chord has been touched. 
No hearts in America are more sore than ours ; its richest mine 
might drain in that attempt. Our men in the interior have 
seen and lived among what others vainly strive to picture ; they 
are men of work not words, and under Heaven have labored to 
do what they could with what they had. It is their steward- 
ship they are trying to render to a great-hearted, sympathetic 
and perplexed people, racked by various emotions, seeking light 
through every channel, and conclusively solving and settling in 
a score of ways, every day, problems and questions which have 
unsettled a considerable portion of the world for centuries. 

THE COMMITTEES. 

On behalf of the wrechedness and suffering met through Asia 
Minor, we return heartfelt thanks to the committees who la- 
bored with such untiring zeal toward their relief. We were 
never unmindful of the difficulties which they were constantly 
called to encounter and to overcome. Not having in hand the 
funds desired or even guaranteed, they must raise them, and 
this largely from persons whose sympathies outran their gene- 
rosity, if not their means. This naturally opened the door for 
excuses for withholding, until it could be seen that ' ' something 
was actually being accomplished;" then the doubt if anything 
" could be accomplished; " next the certainty that it " could not 
be," and so on through whole chapters of dark prophecies 
and discouragements sufficient to dishearten the most hopeful 
natures, and weaken at times the best efforts that could be put 
forth. Against volumes, nay, oceans of these discouragements, 
our committees must have struggled, with more or less of suc- 
cess, and again for their efforts on behalf of such suffering as even 
they never witnessed, we return with reverence our sincerest 



36 REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 

gratitude. Their efforts have been herculean, their obstructions 
scarcely less. 

The cause of these difficulties lay in the customary concep- 
tion and methods of charitable relief, which they were naturally 
compelled to adopt and follow. Until the world comes to rec- 
ognize that charity is not beggary, and should not be made to 
depend upon it, that a legitimate and ready fund to draw from 
in order to facilitate and validate its transactions is as necessary 
as in other movements, the difficulties of our tireless and noble 
committees will be everywhere met. 

It is with these views that the Red Cross has never solicited 
means in aid of its work of relief. Heretofore on all its fields, 
the people have been left free to contribute what they desired, 
and through whom they desired, and it is we believe, a well 
understood fact, that the use of the name of the Red Cross in 
the raising of funds for the late Armenian relief, was simply 
incidental, one of the methods naturally resorted to in order to 
secure the end, and by no concurrence of ours, as has been pre- 
viously and fully explained. 

TO THE PRESS OF THE UNITED STATES. 

Among the dark hours that came to us in the hopeless waste 
of work and woe on every side, the strong sustaining power has 
been the Press of the United States. While naturally com- 
pelled to give circulation to unauthorized reports from other 
sources, it has evidently done it with regret, and hastened by 
strong editorials, in words of no uncertain sound, to set right 
before its readers any errors that may have crept in. The 
American press has always been loyal to the Red Cross and to 
its work, and once more it is our privilege to tender to it our 
meed of grateful praise. 

TO THE CONTRIBUTORS OF THE UNITED STATES; 

Whose sympathy, God-like pity and mercy prompted them to 
the grand work of relief for the half million suffering and dying 



REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 37 

in a land they had never seen, whose purses were opened, whose 
own desires were repressed that they might give, not of their 
abundance, but of their scantiness ofttimes, whose confidence 
made ns their almoners, whose whole-hearted trust has strength- 
ened us, whose hearts have been with us, whose prayers have 
followed us, whose hopes have sustained us, and vv^hose beckon- 
ing hands were held out in tenderness to welcome us back to 
them, what can be said, what can be done, but to bow our heads 
in grateful recognition of the words of unexpected commenda- 
tion which nearly overwhelm us, and pray the gracious God that 
He bless our work, to the measure of the praise bestowed. 

TO OUR GOVERNMENT AT WASHINGTON; 

To its cordial sym.pathy so warmly expressed through its 
honored Secretaries of State and Navy, and through whose 
ready access we were at all times able to reach the public, our 
earnest and respectful thanks are rendered, begging our warm- 
hearted people to bear in mind that our rulers are a part of, and 
like themselves ; that the security of the government lies largely 
in the fact that responsibility tends to conservatism — not necessa- 
rily less sympathetic, but less free, more responsible and more 



thoughtful. 



TO OUR LEGATION IN CONSTANTINOPLE. 



Our thanks are due to our genial minister, Hon. A. W. Ter- 
rell, his accomplished secretary, and charges d' affairs^ J. W. 
Riddle, his interpreter and dragoman, Gargiulo, our Consul 
General, Luther Short, Esq. , the consular interpreter, Demet- 
riades, from every one of whom we received unremitting care 
and attention during all the months of our residence at Constan- 
tinople, and without which aid we could not have succeeded in 
our work. There was not an hour that their free service w^as 
not placed at our command. Through them all governmental 
business was transacted. The day was never too long nor the 
night too short for any active help they could render ; I only 
hope that our diplomatic service at all courts is as faithfully 



38 REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 

and cheerfully rendered as at Constantinople. In this connec- 
tion I desire to make special mention of the assistance of U. S. 
Consul, Dr. Milo A. Jewett, at Sivas, and Consular Agent, Daniel 
Walker, at Alexandretta. 

Both personally and officially I believe the record of Minister 
Terrell will sustain him. While firm and direct of speech he is 
a man of uncommon courtesy, abounding in the old time hos- 
pitality of his native state, Virginia. If at the close of his 
official term, he shall be able to report that through all the 
months — nay, years of unheard-of troubles, dangers and deaths 
in the country to which he was assigned, while some hundreds 
of his fellow citizens were constantly and peculiarly exposed 
to these dangers, that with no direct governmental aid or 
aiithority, without even a ship of his own country in port, that 
no life in his charge has been lost, and that only such dangers, 
hardship and losses as were incident to the terrible transactions 
about them had been inflicted upon them, we will, I trust, look 
calmly at the results, and decide that if this were not diplom- 
acy, it was a very good substitute. 

TO THE AMBASSADORS OF OTHER NATIONS AT CONSTANTINOPLE. 

To these high and honorable gentlemen our thanks are due. 
To Sir Philip Currie of England, there seemed to come no dif- 
ference in sentiment between our people and his own ; a tower 
of strength wherever he took hold. Germany and Russia were 
cordial and ready to aid, as also our English Consul, R. A. Fon- 
tana, at Harpoot, and C. M. Hallward, at Diarbekir; and fol- 
lowing these, may I also name the ready help of Renter's Ex- 
press and the United and Associated Presses of both Constanti- 
nople and London. 

COMMENDATORY. 

Here is a phase of our work which should not be entirely 
passed by, and yet, if only partially taken up would overrun 
our entire report. Only one or two excerpts must suffice to 
show what the others might mean. 



REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 39 

From Rev. Dr. H. O. Dwight, one word among the many 
so generously spoken : 

"Miss Barton has done a splendid work, sensibly and economically man- 
aged. Wherever her agents have been, the missionaries have expressed 
the strongest approval of their methods and efficiency. The work done has 
been of great and permanent importance." 

Rev. Joseph K. Greene, D. D. : 

' ' After some six months of service Miss Clara Barton and her five able 
assistants have left Constantinople on their return to America. It was only 
on the earnest solicitation of the missionaries, the officers of the American 
Board and many other friends of the suffering Armenians that Miss Barton 
undertook the relief in this land. The difficulties of the work, arising from 
the suspicions of the Turkish authorities, the distance from the capital to 
the sufferers, the perils and discomforts in communicating with them, and 
from unfamilarity with the languages and customs of the people of the 
land would surely have appalled a less courageous heart. Under such 
circumstances it is only just and fair that the American public should be 
apprised of the substantial success of this mission of the Red Cross. 

* 'In the first place. Miss Barton has shown a rare faculty in getting on well 
with everybody. To facilitate her work she, and the assistants whom she 
loves to call "my men," laid aside all the insignia of the Red Cross and 
appeared everywhere simply as private individuals. She clearly under- 
stood that she could accomplish her mission only by securing the confidence 
and good will of the authorities, and this she did by her patience and re- 
peated explanations, and by the assistance of the American Legation. 
When the zrad(f, or imperial decree sanctioning her mission was delayed, 
she sent forward her assistants with only a traveling permit for a part of 
the way, trusting and not in vain, that the local authorities, instructed from 
headquarters, would facilitate their way. As a matter of fact, while Mr. 
Pullman, her secretary and treasurer, remained at Constantinople with 
Miss Barton, her distributing agents, namely, Dr. Hubbell and Mr. Mason, 
Mr. Wistar and Mr. Wood, either together or in tM^o parties, traveled in- 
land from Alexandretta to Killis, Aintab, Marash, Zeitun, Birejik, Oorfa, 
Diarbekir, Farkin, Harpoot, Palou, Malatia, Arabkir, Egin, Sivas, Tokat, 
Samsoun and back to Constantinople vnthout interruption or molestation. 
They were readily and constantly supplied with guards, and could not 
with safety have made their perilous four months' journey without them- 
Demands are said to have been made that the distribution of aid be made 
under the supervision of Government officials, but in fact. Miss Barton's 
agents knew how to make their distributions in every place, after careful 



40 .REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 

consultation and examination, without any interferance on the part of the 
authorities. 

"Miss Barton received in all, about $116,000, and an unexpended balance 
of $15,400 was committed to Mr. Peet, the treasurer of the American Mis- 
sions in Turkey, to be held as an emergency fund, subject to Miss Barton's 
orders. No expense has been incurred for Miss Barton or her agents save 
for traveling expenses and the wages of interpreters, and with this excep- 
tion the entire sum expended has gone to the actual relief of the sufferers. 
While the fund committed to the Anglo-American Committee, of which 
Mr. Peet is a member — a sum four to five times the amount committed to 
Miss Barton — has been expended through the missionaries, largely to save 
the hungry from starvation, the relief through the agents of the Red Cross 
has for the most part, been wisely devoted to the putting of the poor suffer- 
ers on their feet again and thus helping them to help themselves. Some 
500 liras (a lira is $4.40 of £-ood money) were given for the cure and care 
of the sick in Marash, Zeitoun and elsewhere, and some 2,000 liras' worth 
of cloths, thread, pins and needles were sent inland ; but many times this 
amount was expended in providing material for poor widows, seeds, agri- 
cultural implements and oxen for farmers ; tools for blacksmiths and car- 
penters, and looms for weavers. In some places Miss Barton's agents had 
the pleasure of seeing vegetable gardens coming forward from seed fur- 
nished by the Red Cross, and village farmers reaping the grain with sickles 
which the Red Cross had given. The great want now — a want which the 
funds of the Red Cross agents did not permit them to any large extent to 
meet — is aid to the poor villagers to help them rebuild their burned and 
ruined houses, and thus provide for themselves shelter against the rigors 
of the coming winter. The Red Cross agents have however, gathered a 
great stock of information ; and passing by the horrors of the massacres 
and the awful abuse of girls and women, as unimpeachable witnesses they 
can bear testimony to the frightful sufferings and needs of the people. We 
most sincerely hope and pray that Miss Barton and the agents and friends 
of the Red Cross will not esteem their work in Turkey done, but knowing 
now so well just what remains to be done, and what can be done, will bend 
every effort to secure further relief for the widows and orphans of the more 
than sixty thousand murdered men — mostly between the ages of eighteen 
and fifty — whose lives no earthly arm was outstretched to save. 

' ' While we gratefully bear witness to the wise and indefatigable efforts 
of Miss Barton's agents, permit us to add that during her more than six 
months' stay in Constantinople Miss Barton gave herself unremittingly to 
the work of her mission. She seems to have had no time for sight-seeing, 
and not a few of her friends are disposed to complain that she had no time 
to accept the invitations of those who would have been glad to enter- 




REV. JOSEPH K. GREENE, D. D., CONSTANTINOPLE. 




CEREMONY OF " SALAMLIC." 




THE OUTER OR PERA BRIDGE ACROSS THE GOLDEN HORN 
CONNECTING STAMBOUL WITH GALATA. 



REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 4 1 

tain her. The only relaxation she seems to have given herself v/as on 
two occasions— the first, a Fourth of July picnic with a few American 
friends, on one of the Princes' Islands, and the second, another picnic on 
the same island, on Wednesday, August 5th when, with three of her "men,' 
she met some twenty American lady teachers and missionaries, in order to 
bid them a courteous farewell. The first occasion she unqualifiedly de- 
clared to have been the happiest Fourth of July she had ever had ; and in- 
spired by the occasion, she penned some verses which she kindly read to 
her friends on ths second gathering, and which we very much wish she 
would permit the editor of I he Independent to publish. On the second 
occasion, at Miss Barton's request, Mr. Pullman read his financial report 
and Dr. Hubbell and Mr. Wood presented reports of the work of distribu- 
tion. We gratefully acknowledged the honor done us in permitting us to 
hear these reports ; and, remembering our concern for Miss Barton while 
preparing for the work of distribution six months ago, we gladly expressed 
our joy and congratulations now on the happy return of her faithful and 
efficient agents, of whom it may be truly said that they went and saw and 
conquered. We rejoiced that these new friends had come to know so well 
the American missionaries in Turkey, and were truly thankful for a mu- 
tually happy acquaintance. We wished Miss Barton and her "men" a 
hearty welcome on their arrival, and now, with all our hearts, we wish 
them god-speed on their return home." 
Constantinople, Turkey. 

The little '' verses " so kindly referred to by Dr. Greene, were 
not even written, but were a simple train of thought that took 
rythmic form as we crossed over the sea of Marmara, on our 
way to an island celebration of the 4th of July. Later I found 
time to put them on paper and read them to the guests at our 
farewell meeting, presenting them to our host, Mr. W. W. Peet. 
They appear to have gained a favor far beyond their merit, 
and by request of many friends they are given place in the re- 
port as a "part of its history. " 

MARMARA. 

It was twenty and a hundred years, oh blue and rolling sea, 
A thousand in the onward march of human liberty. 
Since on its sunlit bosom, wind tossed and sails unfurled, 
Atlantic's mighty billows bore a message to the world. 



42 REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 

It thunders down its rocky coast, and stirs its frugal homes ; 

The Saxon hears it as he toils, the Indian as he roams ; 

The buffalo upon the plains, the panther in his lair, 

And the eagle hails the kindred note, and screams it through the air. 

"Make way for liberty," it roared, "here let the oppressed go free, 
Break loose your bands of tyrant hands, this land is not for thee. 
The old world in its crusted grasp, grinds out the souls of men, 
Here plant their feet in freedom's soil, this land was made for them." 

The mother slept in her island home, but the children heard the call, 
And 'ere the western sun went down, had answered, one and all; 
For Britain's thirteen colonies had vanished in a day. 
And six and half a hundred men had signed their lives away. 

And brows v/ere dark, and words were few, the steps were quick and strong, 
And firm the lips as ever his who treasures up a wrong ; 
And stern the tone that offered up the prayer beside the bed. 
And many a Molly Stark that night, wept silent tears of dread. 

The bugles call, and swords are out, and armies march abreast. 

And the old world casts a wondering glance to the strange light in the west ; 

Lo, from its lurid lightnings play, free tossing in the wind, 

Bursts forth the star-gemmed flag that wraps the hopes of all mankind. 

And weary eyes grew brighter then, and fainting hearts grew strong, 
And hope was mingled in the cry, "How long, oh Lord, how long ?" 
The seething millions turn and stir and struggle towards the light ; 
The free flag streams, and morning gleams where 'erst was hopeless night. 

And grim Atlantic thunders still, adown its rocky shores, ' 
And still the eagle screams his note, as aloft he sails and soars ; 
And hope is born, that even thou, in some far day to come. 
Oh blue and rolling Marmara, shalt bear the message home. 

Dedicated to W, W. Peet, Esq, Clara Barton. 

Constantinople. July 4th, i8g6. 



Reports are always tedious. If some reader, having perse- 
vered thus far, if such there be, shall find himself or herself, say- 
ing with a little thrill of disappointment, ' ' But this does not 
give the information expected, it does not recommend any 
specific course to be pursued, whether emmigration for the Ar- 



REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 43 

menians, and if so, where, and how ; or Autonomy, and if so, 
how to be secured, and assured ; if more ships should be sent, 
and what they should do when there ; if greater pressure of the 
Powers should be demanded by us, or what course, as a nation, 
we ought to pursue. We had expected some light on these 
questions. " 

Appreciating and regretting this disappointment, we must 
remind our anxious readers and friends — for such they are — 
that we have never been required to do this ; that all conclu- 
sions to that effect, are simply inferential, and all such expecta- 
tions were born of anxious hope. But that which we feel does 
immediately concern us, and comes directly within our province, 
is, to state that notwithstanding all that has been done through 
all sources, infinitely more remains to be done by some one ; 
and while speculation upon the moral duty of nations, the rights 
or wrongs of governments, the problem of whether one ruler 
or another shall sit upon a throne for the next six months ; what 
expressions of individual principle in regard to certain actions 
should be given; the proper stand for a people to take and 
maintain on high moral and religious questions — all important 
subjects — none value them more than I — all marking the high 
tone and progressiv^e spirit of the most advanced stage of human 
thought and culture the world has yet known, it would seem 
that each and all of these, imperative and important as they are, 
admit of at least a little moment of time for consideration, and 
will probably take it whether admitted or not. 

But the facts are, that between the Archipelago and the Cas- 
pian Seas, the Black and the Mediterranean, are to-day living a 
million and a half of people of the Armenian race, existing under 
the ordinances of, at least, semi-civilization, and professing the 
religion of Jesus Christ; that according to the stated estimate of 
intelligent and impartial observers of various countries and con- 
curred in by our own agents, whose observations have been un- 
restricted, from 100,000 to 200,000 of these persons, men, 
women and children, are destitute of shelter, raiment, fire, food. 



44 REPORT OF MISS BARTON. 

medicines, the comforts that tend to make human life preserva- 
ble, or any means of obtaining them, save through the charita- 
ble beneficence of the world. 

The same estimates concm' in the statement, that without 
stLch outside support, at least 50,000 of these persons will have 
died of starvation or perished through accumulated hardship, 
before the first of May, 1897. 

That even now it is cold in their mountain recesses, the frosts 
are whitening the rocky crests, trodden by their wandering feet, 
and long before Christmas the friendly snow will have com- 
menced to cover their graves. 

These facts, bare and grim, are what I have to present to the 
American people ; and if it should be proposed to make any use 
of them there is not much time for consideration. V/e have 
hastened, without loss of a day, to bring them plainly and 
truthfully before the public as a subject pertaining peculiarly 
to it. 

I would like to add that this great work of human relief 

should not fall wholly upon the people of our own country by 

no means without its own suffering poor — neither would it. 
The people of most enlightened nations should unite in this 
relief, and I believe, properly conferred with, would do so. 

None of us have found any better medium for the dispensa- 
tion of charitable relief than the faithful missionaries already 
on the ground, and our Government officers, whose present 
course bespeaks their active interest. 

Clara Barton. 



REPORT OF 

GEORGE H. PULLMAN, 

FINANCIAL SECRETARY OF THE AMERICAN 
NATIONAL RED CROSS. 



The following financial report, of necessity, has to deal with 
the currencies of five different countries, viz. : American, Eng- 
lish, French, Austrian, and Turkish, but as nearly all except 
expenses of travel and maintenance are in Turkish money, and 
as American, English, French, and other moneys received were 
naturally reduced to the coin of the Ottoman Empire, we were 
obliged to make our accounts to correspond. As the report is 
made on the gold basis of loo piasters to a lira, our friends may 
easily find the value in American money by multiplying the 
number of piasters by 4.4, as a gold lira (100 piasters) is 
approximately worth four and four-tenths dollars. 

Owing to the difference in values between gold and silver 
coin, the wide range of values between the same coin in dif- 
ferent cities, also the singular variation of the purchasing power 
of the same coin in the same cities for various commodities, 
complicated and curious mathematical problems have constantly 
confronted us, and for the correctness and accuracy of our 
report we are under many obligations to W. W. Peet, Esq., 
treasurer of the American Board of Foreign Missions; the 
officers of the Imperial Ottoman and Credit Lyonnais Banks ; 
as well as George Kiinzel, Esq., expert accountant of the Ad- 
ministration de la Dette Publique Ottomane. Our grateful 
acknowledgments are also due and heartily given to Rev. Dr. H. 



46 REPORT OF MR. PULLMAN. 

O.Dwight, the executive head of the Missionary Board at Con- 
stantinople, and Rev. Dr. George Washburn, president of 
Robert College, for many valuable suggestions. 

To give a single illustration of the acrobatic acquirements of 
the sprightly piaster, the ignus fatuus characteristics of the 
mejidieh (nom. 20 piasters), and the illusive proclivities of the 
lira, we will outline a transaction connected with our first med- 
ical expedition, under Dr. Ira Harris, of Tripoli, Syria. We 
had sent four hundred liras to Dr. George E. Post, of Beyrout, 
who was fitting out the expedition for us, and presumed we 
would receive a receipt for that amount, or for 40,000 piasters, 
its equivalent. The acknowledgment came, and we were some- 
what nonplussed to note that we had been credited with a sum 
far exceeding that amount. A letter of inquiry was sent, as 
we supposed our good doctor had made an error. We quote a 
a paragraph or two in his letter of reply : "I am not surprised 
that you do not quite understand the intricacies of Turkish 
finance. After thirty-three years of residence, I am still trying to 
get some idea of what a piaster is. * * * In Beyrout it is 
worth one piaster and five paras, with variations; a mejidieh 
is worth from nineteen piasters to almost anything. Every 
town has its rate, * * * The nominal value changes daily. 
Thus if I credit you to-day with 123.20 piasters on the lira, 
next week I may be out of pocket, or vice versa, ^h * * i^_ 
ternally, it is well nigh impossible to keep accounts. * * * 
The only way our college books are kept is by giving the rate 
as it is when the account is entered and as it appears in all re- 
ceipts and other vouchers " 

We were much gratified with this assurance, for if a college 
president, after thirty-three years study had not solved the 
piaster puzzle, there was some excuse for us. Hundreds of ac- 
counts and bills have been received, audited and paid, and 
scarcely any two correspond in piaster equivalents. Therefore, 
although the money unit is the gold piaster, and the monetary 
standard the gold lira, the frequent changes in valuation is very 



REPORT OF MR. PULLMAN. 47 

bewildering to foreigners, and necessitates frequent conference 
with persons who, after long years of residence, have reached 
an equitable basis by which monetary equivalents can be ascer- 
tained. 

A glance at our column of receipts shows a considerable va- 
riation in rates of exchange, and also the selling price of British 
gold (most of our drafts and cabled credits were in English 
sovereigns). We sold the greater part of our gold at a rate 
exceeding no, which is the commercial rate in business trans- 
actions. In all credits received, the values are of course given 
according to the rate on the day of sale. 

Many of our accounts, receipts and vouchers are curiosities, 
as they are in various languages, Arabic, Kourdish, Turkish, 
Armenian, Greek, Italian, etc. They were interesting but at 
the same time exceedingly perplexing to us, though our expert 
accountant found no difficulty with any of them, and right here 
we desire to make special acknowledgment to Mr. Kiinzel for 
his excellent but unpaid services. 

In our column of expenses will be found an exceedingly rare 
Red Cross item, namely, "Wages Account." All the native or 
local doctors and apothecaries with one exception, had to be paid 
"contagious disease rates," as they called it. The exception 
was Dr. Ira Harris, of Tripoli, Syria, that brave and self-sacri- 
ficing American, whose great medical ability and splendid sur- 
gical skill accomplished so much in curing the sick in the 
terribly distressed cities of Marash and Zeitoun, with their 
many surrounding villages. We are glad to make this public 
acknowledgment in full appreciation of his heroic services. 
Beside the doctors, there .were interpreters and dragomen for 
the various expeditions in the field to whom wages were paid. 
No adverse reflection is designed in the making of this state- 
ment, as the conditions surrounding life and service in that 
region of operation made such remuneration an equitable 
necessity. 



48 REPORT OF MR. PULLMAN. 

It is, we think, a well understood fact, that the Red Cross 
officers neither receive nor ask any remuneration for their ser- 
vices, but away from our ov/n country we did not find the 
splendid volunteer aids we have had on former fields. But few 
could be found, and these we have had with us both in Con- 
stantinople and Asia Minor, and very efficient helpers they have 
been ; to these our thanks are due and cordially given. 

After our expeditions had entered the field amd begun w^ork, 
the first remittances to our chief officers were sent in a manner 
which for slowness and seeming insecurity would have appalled 
American business men. The modus ope7'aiidi wSiS as follows: 
A check for the amount desired was drawn and taken to the 
bank ; after half an hour or more the gold would be weighed 
out and handed over — our bankers would have performed the 
same service in two minutes. The coin was then put into a 
piece of stout canvas cloth, done up in a round ball, securely 
tied, and taken to the Imperial Turkish post office where it was 
placed in a piece of sheepskin, all the ends brought together 
very evenly, cut off square and covered with sealing wax, the 
strong cords binding the package in a peculiar manner were 
woven in so that the ends could be passed through a small 
wooden box like a pill box; this box was filled with wax. After 
the Imperial Post and our seals were attached, bakshish given, 
and the package insured in an English company, the only thing 
remaining after the three or four hours work and delay was to 
go home and with fear and trembling w^ait some twenty -five or 
thirty days until the pony express arrived at its destination and 
an acknowledgment by telegraph of the receipt of the money 
relieved the nervous strain as far as that package was concerned. 
This trying business was kept up until it became possible to 
use drafts in the interior. We are happy to report that though 
the money had to be taken through a country infested with 
robbers, outlaws, and brigands, v/e never lost a lira. 

Bakshish is another custom of the country, infinitely more 
exasperating than our ''tip" system, which is bad enough. 




REV. HENRY O. DWIGHT, D. D. 




W. W. PEET, ESQ. 




SUBLIME PORTE, STAMBOUL. 




XIFAX FROM RED CROSS HEADQUARTERS, SHO^YING GOLDEN HORN, 
KOSPHORUS AND MARMARA. 



REPORT OF MR. PULLMAN. 49 

This is trying to most people but peculiarly irritating to a 
financial secretary. Bakshish is a gift of money which an 
Oriental expects and demands for the most trifling service. 
Beggars, by instinct, seem to know a financial secretary, and 
swarm around in the most appalling manner. To make any 
headway with this horde at least two Turkish words must be 
mastered the first day, namely " Yok'' — No, and ''Hide-gW — 
Be off with you. These expressions are sometimes efficacious 
with beggars but the bakshish fiend must be paid something. 

As long columns of figures have no interest to the great 
majority of people, and detailed accounts of receipts and ex- 
penses are never read, as it is of no possible importance what 
moneys were received at certain times, or what goods were 
purchased on specific days for the field work, or gold or drafts 
sent into the interior, we give our statement in as condensed a 
form as possible. The committees have received their respec- 
tive reports, with all vouchers and other detail. 

We believe the account of our stewardship will be approved 
by our countrymen ; we know that the people whom we came 
to assist, are grateful and thoroughly appreciative, as number- 
less letters of gratitude, testimonials and personal statements 
abundantly prove. 

To the $116,326.01, at least a third if not a half more 
should be added, as in all kinds of industrial business we have 
made the money do double duty. For instance : we purchased 
iron and steel and gave to the blacksmiths to make tools. That 
started their work. They paid us for the iron and steel in tools ; 
these we gave to other artisans to start their various trades. In 
like manner spinning, weaving and garment-making avoca- 
tions were commenced. Speaking of values, the consensus of 
opinion of our countrymen in the interior is, that putting a 
price on our work, the people of Anatolia have gained twice or 
thrice the actual money spent, and that the moral support given 
was far beyond any valuation. ( At such a money valuation 



^O REPORT OF MR. PULLMAN. 

then, the aggregate value of the relief distribution will be 
nearly $350,000.) 

A few words of explanation in regard to the table of expen- 
ditures: "Cash sent to the Interior " includes all moneys sent 
by pony express or draft, and of this amount something over 
seven thousand liras are in the hands of W. W. Peet, Esq. ; 
Rev. C. F. Gates, at Harpoot; C. M. Hallward, Esq., British 
Consul,atDiarbekir; Rev. E. H. Perry, atSivas, and other equally 
responsible representatives, for an emergency fund, to be used, 
on order, as occasion requires. 

"Relief Expeditions, General and Medical," represent largely 
the goods purchased and shipped with the four expeditions from 
Constantinople and Beyrout for relief purposes. A portion of 
this supply is still held at different stations awaiting the proper 
time for its distribution to the best advantage. 

"General Expense Account" represents freights, postage, 
bakshish, hammals, car fares, carriages, etc. "Donations for 
Relief of Orphan Children " represents sums of money given to 
the Armenian and German hospitals for Armenian refugee 
children. The other items we think explain themselves. 

It will be observed that the special Red Cross fund, as noted 
in our tabulation of debits and credits, more than covers ex- 
penses of "Red Cross Headquarters, Field," "Travel and 
Maintenance," "General Expense and Wages Accounts," and 
"General and Medical Relief Expeditions Accounts," all of 
which items were of direct benefit to the field as all were neces- 
sary to the successful conduct of our work. We only mention this 
to show that, besides the work we have been able to suc- 
cessfully perform, the Red Cross has also materially contributed 
monetarily to the field. And it will not be out of place to note 
that in the total of cash expended ($116,326.01) there is shown 
to be an administrative cost amounting to $7,526.37, as covered 
by such items as "Telegrams and Cables," "Wages Account," 
" General Expense, " "Headquarters, Field," "Stationery and 
Printing," and "Travel and Maintenance." This cost was but 



REPORT OF MR. PULLMAN. 



51 



a fraction over six per cent, on the cash total. If the estimated 
money value in field results be taken at three times the cash 
received and paid, for relief material, food, etc., as stated it will 
be found that the cost of administration is only about two 
per cent. In either account or estimate the result is gratifying, 
though not surprising to the officers of the Red Cross, since the 
methods pursued are the fruits of a wide experience that evaded 
no responsibility and learned only to spend wisely for the trust 
imposed and accepted. It is also satisfactory to know that such 
expenditures came direct from the ''Special Funds " of the Red 
Cross itself. An examination of the balance sheets accompany- 
ing this report shows that of funds expended, the Red Cross is 
credited with $24,641.93, which leaves an excess for relief over 
the cost of administration of $17,115.56. 

Perhaps this brief financial review of the work achieved may 
be properly closed by a reference to the sincere enthusiasm and 
earnestness with which the efforts to raise funds in the United 
States were animated. The incidents herein mentioned may 
also illustrate how the wisdom of experience accepts the ear- 
nestness and yet discounts without criticism the over confident 
calculations, to which a noble zeal may run. It would appear that 
the collection of funds for the purpose of relieving a Christian 
people in danger of starvation and violent death by knife or 
bullet— of aiding a historic race in the throes of dissolution 
from massacre, and dispersion in winter by storm and famine, 
would be a very easy thing to accomplish. A good many of 
our countrymen, unaccustomed to great relief work, found the 
collection of the means needed, a task more than difficult. A 
single illustration will prove how misleading is the conception. 
It must be borne in mind always that the Red Cross never 
solicits funds. It sees its field of benefit work and having fully 
examined the needs, states them through the press and all other 
public avenues, to the American people, leaving the response 
direct to their judgment and generosity. When it is asked to 
accept the administration of relief funds and material, in fields 



52 



REPORT OF MR. PULLMAN. 



like this that awaited it in Asia Minor, the trust is surely met, 
but the Red Cross does not ask for the means and money. 
Others do that, stating that the work will be under its charge. 
When it is once accepted there is no retreat, no matter how far 
the exertions may fall short of reaching the hoped-for results. 

Last November (1895), after many petitions had been 
received and carefully considered, representatives of the great 
Armenian Relief Committees came to Washington, for the pur- 
pose of supplementing such earnest petitions by personal 
appeals. A conditional consent having been obtained, the sub- 
ject of funds was brought up by the following question: 

" Miss' Barton, how much do you think it will cost to relieve 
the Armenians ? " 

The question was answered by another: "Gentlemen, you 
are connected with the various missionary boards, v/ith banks 
and other great institutions and enterprises. What amount do 
you consider necessary ? " 

After deliberation, $5,000,000 was suggested as the proper 
sum and the question was asked if the Red Cross concurred. 
Miss Barton, with the faintest suggestion of a smile, replied 
that she thought $5,000,000 would be sufficient. As the difficul- 
ties of raising money became more apparent to the committees, 
numerous meetings were held and various other amounts sug- 
gested, Miss Barton agreeing each time. From $5,000,000 to 
$500,000, with a guarantee for the balance; then $100,000 cash 
v/ith $400,000 guaranteed, and so on, until $50,000 was named 
to start the work with, such sum to be available on the arrival 
of the Red Cross in Constantinople. The president and a few 
officers of the Red Cross arrived there on February 15, 1896, but it 
was late in the following April before the $50,000 was received. 
These facts as given are intended solely to show the difficulties the 
committees had to contend with in raising the amount they did. 

For general information it will, perhaps, not be inappropriate 
to state that all relief work is governed and conducted on mili- 
tary lines to preclude the possibility of confusion, as the Red 



REPORT OF MR. PULLMAN. 



53 



Cross on fields of disaster is the only organized body in a dis- 
organized community. Thus wherever the organization h^s 
control, Miss Barton has personal supervision of all departments : 
the financial, receiving and disposing of all funds ; the cor- 
respondence, opening all letters and directing replies ; the field, 
assigning workers to attend to such duties as are best suited to 
their various abilities, who report daily, if possible, and receive 
instructions for the prosecution of the work; the supplies, 
receiving accurate reports of all material and giving directions 
as to its disposition. 

Constantinople, August 7, j8g6. George H. Pullman. 




AMERICAN BIBLE HOUSE IN STAMBOUL. 



FINANCIAL 



OF 



RELIEF FUNDS AND 



IN ASIA 



The American National Red Cross in account 



DR. 



To The National Relief Committee, *Ltq. 

The New England. Relief Committee, 
The Worcester Relief Committee, 
The Ladies' Relief Committee, of Chicago, 
The Friends of Phila. through Asa S. Wing, 
Citizens of Newark, through C. H. Stout, Esq., 
Citizens of Milton, North Dakota, 
St. George's Church S. S. , through C. H. Stout, 

Esq., 
Ransom Post, G. A. R., Wales, Minnesota, 
The Davenport, Iowa, Relief Committee, 
American Ladies in Geneva, Switzerland, 
Miss Phillips, Mission school, Balisori, India, 
Mrs. Dr. Galbraith, Terentum, Penn., 
*' Sailors' Rest," Genoa, Italy, 
A citizen of Chester, New Jersey, 
Miss Mayham Winter, Philadelphia, Penn., 
The American National Red Cross ( special). 

Total, " 26,437 73 



14,784 


51 


5,667 


25 


402 


18 


922 


50 


481 


69 


674 65 . 


4 


66 


40 


06 


2 


95 


54 


78 


5 


85 


13 


20 


3 


30 


2 


33 




02 


I 


14 


3,376 


66 



*Ltq. 2,223.78 of this sum. was Special Red Cross Funds drawn from Brown 
Brothers & Company. 



BALANCE SHEET 



THE 



SERVICE OF 1896, 



MINOR. 



18 



with the Relief Field of Asia Minor. 

By Telegrams and Cables, Ltq. 

Cash sent to interior, 
Relief Expeditions, General, 
Relief Expeditions, Medical, 
Wages Accoiint, 
General Expense Account, 
Red Cross Headquarters, Field, 
Stationery and Printing, 
Expense Account, Travel and Maintenance, 
Donations for relief of orphan children. 
Emergency Fund, deposited with W. W. Peet, 

Total, 26,437 73 



CR. 

245 12 

.965 70 
,917 81 

543 68 
421 20 
138 02 

235 05 
128 79 

542 36 

100 00 

.200 00 



Clara Barton, Treasurer. 

George H. Pullman, Financial Secretary. 

Geo Kunzel, Expert Accountant. 

I have carefully examined the books, accounts and vouchers of the 
American National Red Cross, in its relief work in Asia Minor, and find 
everything correct and accurate. Signed, George Kunzel, 

Accountant, Administration 

Constantinople, August ist, 1896. Ottoman Public Debt. 




oj>o or {n/HtAf 




/7 r\\. ,>> * '^^s'^ 







•» "^A.* 




/Cu^O^^H ^or,,^ C.U^^,NS Y^^y^^r.f^G ^rW. C0VK,HS H^nffT^. 




MANNER OF CARRYING BURDENS, METHODS OF WORK, ETC. 




Wl^^/f"^ 




^ /i3/v/y-^zio; 



\A 1 iS- 











AN AT Q LI A OR ASIA M1NM>„. C7^ ^""til,/ VJi 

SHOWING, THt ROUTES OF THiP.EDCROSS T?EUEF EXPtDlTlDRiV. \W^ ^^_^^,'_/*'""' ', ! \\ 

Th. fi<,.r„ „!■ iW E,,,,d.r,o,„ a_j Sf./>p.«3 ptae« ore md.cc.C.d 1A„1 .....*:...;j??:....*MftRftS»r- :;-_ _ ;• /0 

Ti'- r.,,...,,,, „_f,„, R.„„_,, d„f.,fc.r,. ^;.„a,..r,., iTu. I fh ^.«.- S"-^-" /u --::-~-8„voa^:.J. 



OF 



ELIEF FIELD WORK I 

ANATOLIA. 



J. B. HUBBELL, M. D., General Field Agent. 

E. M. WISTAR, Special Field Agent. 

C. K. WOOD, Special Field Agent. 

IRA HARRIS, M. D., Physician in Charge of 
Medical Relief in Zeitoun and Marash. 



REPORT OF 

J. B. HUBBELL, M. D. 

GENERAL FIELD AGENT IN CHARGE OF EXPEDITIONS IN 
THE INTERIOR OF ANATOLIA. 



To Miss Clara Barton, President: 

In speaking of the relief work in Asia Minor, may I be allowed to begin 
at Constantinople, at which place, while waiting for the necessary official 
papers for our work, we were all busy selecting and purchasing relief sup- 
plies, camping outfit, cooking utensils, and making other preparations for 
interior travel ; and also securing competent interpreters and dragomen. 
Although the Irade of the Sultan granting permission to enter Asia Minor 
had not yet been received, it naturally fell to me to follow the first ship- 
ment of supplies purchased and sent by steamer to the port of Alexandretta 
as the safest route, to be forwarded again by camels under guard to differ- 
ent places in the interior ; and with our own men to follow and attend to 
the work of distribution. Accordingly, accompanied by interpreter Mason, 
I left Constantinople on the loth of March, touching at Smyrna, Latakea, 
Mersina and Tripoli, reaching Alexandretta on the i8th, and by the kind 
help of our Consular Agent, Mr. Daniel Walker, and Mr. John Falanga, 
began making up the caravans for shipment to Aintab, as a central point 
for the southern field. By the time the caravans were ready and horses for 
travel selected, Mr. Wistar and Mr. Wood, with dragomen, arrived by 
steamer from Constantinople. Rev. Dr. Fuller, president of the Aintab 
( American) College, had also just come through with friends from Aintab 
to take steamer, himself to return again immediately, and together we all 
set out under soldier escort the next morning. Alexandretta was in a state 
of fear while we were there, notwithstanding the fact that the war ships of 
England, France, Turkey, and the United States lay in her harbor. Kirk 
Khan, the first stopping place on our journey inland, was threatened vv4th 
plunder and destruction on the night before our arrival there. At Killis we 



6o REPORT OF DR. HUBBELL. 

found the town in a state of fear from the recent massacres. Here, with 
Dr. Fuller we visited the wounded who were under the good care of a 
young physician just from the college at Aintab, but without medicine, 
surgical dressings and appliances. These with other needed things w^e 
arranged to send back to him from the supplies that had gone ahead. 

Aintab, with its American School, College, Seminary and Hospital build- 
ings standing out in relief a.nd contrast from the native buildings, was a 
welcome reminder of home ; and the greeting of the hundreds of pupils as 
they came hurr3dng down the road to welcome back their own loved Presi- 
dent, became a welcome for the Red Cross. We were most cordially 
offered the hospitality of Dr. Fuller's house and home, but as we were still 
strangers in a strange land, it seemed best to place ourselves in a khan 
where we could have better opportunity to make an acquaintance with the 
people to obtain the varied information necessary to accomplish best results 
in the disposition of our relief. Here we remained long enough to learn 
the needs of the place and surrounding country, to obtain carefully pre- 
pared lists of those artisans needing tools and implements for their various 
trades and callings. Supplies were left, clothing, new goods for working 
up, thread, needles, thimbles, medicines, and surgical stores. Aintab is 
favored with its Mission Hospital ; with its surgeon and physician, Dr. 
Shepard and Dr. Hamilton, and a strong American colony of missionary 
teachers, besides the Franciscan Brothers, who are doing excellent select 
work. The Father Superior was killed near Zeitoun. Supplies were select- 
ed and made up for Oorfa, Aintab, Marash and other points, while a 
quantity of supplies, by the kindness of Dr. Fuller, was left in storage in the 
college building to be forwarded as our inquiries should discover the need. 
To Oorfa, where the industrial work had been so successfully established 
by Miss Shattuck, we sent material and implements for working, needles, 
thread, thimbles, cotton and woolen goods for making up. To Marash and 
Zeitoun, ready-made goods in addition to new, with surgical appliances 
and medicines. 

From Aintab, Mr. Wood and Mr. Wistar started by way of the' most 
distressed points needing help eastward, and then north to Harpoot ; and 
because of your telegram of the report of typhus and dysentery at Marash 
and Zeitoun, we started in that direction, with Rev. L. O. Lee, who was 
returning home. After facing rain, snov/ and mud for three days we came 
to Marash. Here we remained until our caravan of goods came on. Typhus, 
dysentery and small-pox were spreading as a result of the crowded state of 
the city ; Marash had been filled with refugees since the November mas- 
sacres, notwithstanding a large part of its own dwelling houses had been 
burned and plundered. The surrounding country had also been pillaged, 
people killed and villages destroyed, and the frightened remnant of people 



REPORT OF DR. HUBBELL. 6l 

had crowded in here for protection, and up to this time had feared to return. 
With insufficient drainage and warm weather coming on, typhus, 
dysentery and small-pox already in the prisons, an epidemic was becoming 
general. True, the preachers requested 7nothers 7iot to bring children 
with small-pox to church, nevertheless the typhus and small-pox spread, 
and rendered medical supervision a necessity. By the efforts of Mrs. Lee 
and Mrs. Macallum, wives of the missionaries of the Marash station, a hos- 
pital had been established with plenty of patients, but they had no funds for 
physicians or medicines. Medicines were left and funds furnished for a 
native doctor educated in America (who himself had just recovered from 
typhus ) and was placed in charge of the hospital and out-of-door service, 
and was doing efficient work before we left Marash. Arrangements wfere 
made with Rev. Mr. Macallum to have tools and implements made and dis- 
tributed to artisans and villagers ; and we left with him to begin this work 
the sum which you had sent for our own use, 500 liras. By this time Dr. Ira 
Harris, whom you had called from Tripoli, Syria, with his assistants, 
arrived for the Zeitoun field. Dr. Harris had his well-filled medical chests 
and surgical supplies in a mule caravan, and being more needed at other 
places, we left immediately for Adioman via Besnia, passing through Baz- 
zarjik and Kumaklejercle, a three days' mountain journey. Our officer 
kindly told us, when we stopped at a Kourdish village for the night, to 
"order what we want and not pay if we do not want to." But we made it 
clear to him, that while we are not extravagant in our wants, we always 
pay for what we take. It is customary in this country for villages to enter- 
tain soldiers free of charge. At Bazarjik when we inquired concerning the 
health of the place, an official said they had no sickness except a few cases 
of s?nall-pox, and this was confined to children— Va.QX his little girl bad it, 
and she was brought in as a proof. 

Besnia was saved from pillage and massacre by the efforts of Pasha 
Youcab, Osman Zade, Mahund Bey, and several other Turkish Beys, but 
the surrounding villages were attack^ed and suffered more or less severely. 
Some of the women escaped and found protection in Besnia, where they 
were still living. We did some medical work here and left, in good hands, 
a moderate sum for emergencies. Our reception by the officials at Besnia, 
as indeed at every place we have been, large or small, was most cordial and 
friendly. With only an exception or two, no m.ore considerate treatment 
could have been expected or asked from any people. Before reaching the 
city we had heard that there was a feudal war in progress ahead of us, and 
when the military commander learned that we were intending to go to 
Adioman, he interposed, saying he could take no responsibility in sending 
us there ; that he had just sent a hundred soldiers out on that road to quell 
a riot; that it was dangerous, but he v/ould give us a good officer and 



62 REPORT OF DR. HUBBELL. 

soldiers for another road to Malatia. This we accepted and four days more 
of mountain travel, via Paverly, Soorgoo, and Guzena, brought us to the 
fruit and garden city of Malatia, which formerly had a population of 45,000. 
It is reported that about 1,500 houses were plundered and 375 were burned, 
and some thousands of persons killed. The people of all classes were still 
in fear. A sum of money from friends in America had been received by 
the missionaries, but its distribution had been delayed several weeks 
through some formality in the post office, and was but just being made the 
day we arrived. We left here a sum for special cases and typhus patients, 
and with a promise to return, pressed on to our objective point, two days' 
journey more across the Euphrates at Isli to Harpoot, when the limit of 
our time would be out for meeting the second expedition which arrived 
only two hours ahead of us. Here the people turned out e7i masse to 
welcome the Red Cross ; the road was lined, the streets and windows filled, 
and house roofs covered, and all had words of welcome on their lips. We 
were told by the Rev. Dr. Wheeler, the founder of the Mission and Ameri- 
can College of Central Turkey, that we were the second party of Americans, 
not missionaries, that they bad seen in Harpoot in forty years. We were 
most cordially met by the mission people. Although they, too, had been 
plundered, and most of their buildings and their homes had gone in the 
flames, we were offered, most kindly, the shelter of the remaining roofs 
and seats at their table as long as we would stay. V/e felt at home again, 
though startled, too, when we stopped to think we v/ere 8,000 miles away 
and fifteen days by horseback to the nearest steamer that might start us on 
a homeward trip or that could carry a letter for us to the outside world. 
We had been told from the first that Harpoot was suffering more than any 
other part of the interior, and here we prepared to begin systematic work ; 
Mr. Wistar taking the Char-Sanjak with Peri as a center, the Harpoot 
plain, and later the Aghan villages. Mr. Wood took the Palou district with 
two hundred villages, and Silouan in the Vilayet of Diarbekir with one 
hundred and sixty villages, with the town of Palou and the city of Parkin 
as centers. While making these arrangements we received your telegram 
of May I St: " Typhus and dysentery raging at Arabkir. Can you send 
doctors with medicines from Harpoot? Please investigate." Upon inquiry 
we found reported one thousand sick and many dying. This naturally 
would be my field. 

After telegraphing to the various centers for additional medical help 
without success, we found a native physician, educated in America, Dr. 
Hintlian, at Harpoot, who was ready to go. Miss Caroline Bush and Miss 
Seymour of the Mission, with unassumed bravery, volunteered to accom- 
pany the expedition. As only one could leave, the choice fell upon Miss 
Bush. When one reflects that this was a slight little body, never coming 



REPORT OF DR. HUBBELL. 6$ 

Up to the majesty of a hundred pounds, with sensitive nature, delicate 
organization, educated and refined conditions of early life, fears might well 
be felt for the weight of the lot assumed ; but every day's contact convinced 
us that the springs were of the best of steel, tempered by the glowing fires 
of experience, thus teaching us how far mind may be superior to matter. 

On our first night out, as is frequently the custom in this country, we 
slept in the stable with our horses — and smaller animals. On the second 
day in crossing the Euphrates at Gabin Madin, the big wooden scoop-shovel 
ferryboat struck a rock in the swift current mid-stream, and came very 
near capsizing with its load of luggage, horses and human beings. The 
boatmen lost their chance of making the opposite shore, and we were in 
the swift current fast making for the gorge and rapids below. I looked as 
unconcerned as I could at Miss Bush, only to see that she was as calm as if 
this was an every-day occurrence or that she had been from childhood ac- 
customed to such experiences. We knew she had not, only she had lived 
long enough in the interior not to be frightened at anything that might 
happen. However, another rock was reached near the bluff and we un- 
loaded. Each leading his horse and the pack animals following, we 
climbed up over the edge of a precipice, over loose stones, slippery earth 
and ragged rocks, back to the landing we should have made had we gone 
directly across. Our next day's travel was through a cold, pouring rain, 
into the ruined city of Arabkir, but notwithstanding the rain, hundreds 
of people stood in the streets as we passed to make their "salaams" and to 
say their word of welcome to those who had come to bring the gifts of an- 
other land to the suffering, the sick and needy of their own. Passing 
through the rain, we arrived at the native pastor's house, which had been 
saved by a Turkish military officer and cleared of refugees and typhus 
patients for our installation. 

Nearly the entire city of Arabkir was in ruins ; only heaps of stones where 
houses had been. Out of i, 800 homes but few remained ; the markets as 
well as the dwellings were destroyed, and the people, plundered and desti- 
tute, were crowded into the few remaining houses, down with the typhus. 
We were told that six hundred had already died of the disease, and the 
people's physician, the only one in that part of the country, was in prison. 
Later, we were told that the arrival of help changed the character of the 
disease the moment it was known that we had come. Miss Bush went 
with us directly into the sick-rooms, and the presence of a woman gave 
cheer and strength. A hundred patients were seen daily. After the first 
wants of the typhus patients had been met, the long neglected surgical 
cases were looked after, and many lives and limbs were saved. The medi- 
cal and surgical efforts gave gratifying results, of which Dr. Hintlian will 
make a special report from his daily record. 



64 REPORT OF DR. HUBBELL. 

Immediately upon our arrival, the Gregorian Church and school buildings 
which escaped destruction, were offered for our use as a hospital. These 
rooms were admirably adapted for this purpose, but by selecting and em- 
ploying persons already in need of help as assistants and nurses, we found 
that we could better care for the sick in their own quarters than to attempt 
to remove them to a hospital, where the congregation of sick would only be 
increased. To give employment was the one thing needed for the well, 
therefore we made no hospitals but employed competent, healthy women in 
need, instructed and put them to care for sick families, also in need but of 
another kind. The piaster a woman earned for a day's work gave food for 
herself and for her own family, and gave the sick family the services 
necessary to save their lives. The necessary beds for the patients were 
furnished. 

A sheep or a goat given where there was a helpless babe or mother would 
give food for both, and be a permanent property that would grow by the 
increase of its own young. A small sum for fowls would be a gift that 
would furnish more than its value in eggs for food for present use. It 
would prove a small investment that must multiply in kind and value as 
chicks were hatched. While medical work was going on other forms of 
relief were also in progress. A supply of tools had been ordered from 
Harpoot directly upon our arrival, for blacksmiths, carpenters, tinkers, 
masons, stone workers, etc. The blacksmiths were set to work making 
sickles for cutting grass and reaping grain, shovels, plows, and other im- 
plements for farmers. Others were put at making spinning-wheels for the 
destitute women, who with these could earn their own living ; others made 
weaving looms. Out of the 1,200 hand looms formerly in the city it was 
said only forty remained. Arabkir was the chief manufacturing center for 
native cotton cloth, and if a man had a loom which would cost three 
medjidieh (about $2.50) he could earn his own family's living. Field and 
garden seeds were bought in quantity and distributed. For the villages 
which had no cattle we gave oxen for plowing the fields. Sometimes with 
the oxen, cows were given, with instructions that in this stress of need the 
cows should be made to work with the oxen, even while they were giving 
milk for the family. Thus they would secure a double service for one out- 
lay. Melkon Miranshahian, the druggist, kindly offered his services, and 
we arranged with him to take up special cases and to continue to care for 
them after we would no longer be able to remain on the field. Then, feel- 
ing that we might safely leave this work in the hands of Dr. Hintlian, we 
went to Egin to arrange for distribution in the Aghan villages. Miss Bush 
accompanying. 

The inquiry will naturally be made as to how relief was received. The 
gratitude of the people was almost overwhelming at times. If you could 




MARASH. 



A TURKISH VILLAGE. 




SINNAMOD, SUBURB OF HARPOOT. 




A ZAPTIEH. 




A WRECK. 





A KHAN. 



DR. HUBBELL AND GUARD. 



REPORT OF DR. HUBBELL. 65 

only have heard the blessings that were poured out upon you, the Red 
Cross, and the good people everywhere who have aided, you would realize 
that deep as the need, so fervent and sincere have been the thankful 
prayers and blessings that the unfortunate people who survive the massacre 
could alone render to all who help them. To you and your name especially 
were they responsive. Of all this, I would say we often had most gratify- 
ing evidence and expression on the lonely roads, in the stricken homes, 
and through personal letters from many sources. 

When we were some six miles out on the road to Egin, we met the lead- 
ing men of the village of Shepik coming to town; they had heard that we 
were going away soon, and the villagers had sent this committee to Arab- 
kir to express their gratitude for what they had received and for all that 
had been done for them. This was five or six weeks after we had made a 
distribution of seeds, and as we came in sight of their village we saw 
gardens green with onions, potatoes, beans, cucumbers, melons, squash, 
pumpkins, etc., from the seeds we had given. Here too, the women 
were in the fields cutting the grass and grain with the sickles which the 
blacksmiths had made from the iron and steel we had furnished. The 
men were plowing with the plows and oxen we had supplied and, not- 
withstanding they had been plundered of every movable thing and their 
houses burned or destroyed, there was an air of prosperity in the fields 
that banished thoughts of want or suffering. We rode on past the little 
room where the school was kept and every child rose to his feet and made 
a most profound, though youthful bow to our passing company. 

Egin is an old, strangely beautiful cit}^, inhabited by the descendants of 
the noble families of Mosul ( NINEVEH ) who fled to this mountain 
stronghold on the Euphrates during the Persian invasion, many years ago, 
and they are still a royal and gentle people. At Egin the officials declared 
it unsafe for us to go to the villages as we had proposed. Accordingly we 
made purchases in this market and sent them to the needy points. Egin 
had bought the Kourds off with 1,500 liras, and consequently it had re- 
mained up to the date of our arrival unharmed through all the destruction 
about it. We also left a sum of money with a responsible committee for 
eight unfortunate villages, and did what medical work we could in our 
short stay. We then returned to Harpoot. 

On our road back, Miss Bush had with her a young girl whom we were 
taking to Harpoot for safety (we had frequent charges of this kind), and 
she wanted me to stop at her favorite beautiful village of Bervan, for a 
pleasant picture to carry back in memory to America. We had a long 
day's journey at best to reach our village, and had met with delays; four 
hours in the morning waiting for a zaptieh. Our muleteer left us at the 
ferry some twelve miles back, in order to stop over night at his own village ; 



66 REPORT OF DR. HUBBELL. 

and the second zaptieh was two hours late, but having started we must keep 
on through the mountain pass, and it was ten o'clock at night when we 
reached the village. Our zaptieh took us to the house of the "Village- 
man" (each village is provided with such a personage whose duty it is to 
see that shelter is provided for travellers ) . We rode up together and the 
zaptieh pounded on the door. The dog on the roof barked viciously, then 
all the dogs in the village barked. A woman on another roof above this 
one raised herself and talked, then shouted down the chimney-hole (the 
roof is the sleeping place in warm weather), after a time she pointed with 
her hand and the zaptieh started off in the direction indicated ; the moon 
had gone down and it was too dark to see anything distinctly. He came 
to a small pile, poked it with his foot, punched it with his gun, kicked it. 
After a time a part of the pile raised itself in a sort of surprised astonish- 
ment, mystified, uncertain, complicated attitude — evidently looking at the 
"poker." Then the pile expressed itself emphatically, the zaptieh did the 
same more emphatically, each in turn louder and louder, all with necessary 
and unnecessary gesticulation. Then the pile got up and began on our 
servants for having the pack mules and animals on his roof. After these 
had been led off the house, he wanted to know what we came there for 
anyway, at that time of night, to wake him up when there were six other 
villages we could have gone to; why didn't we go to one of them? Then 
our zaptieh changed his tone and attitude and in the most polite, persuasive, 
pleading voice and manner, tried to explain that he himself was not to 
blame for all this trouble, he was under orders and had to come with these 
people ; he couldn't help doing his dut}'-. But this made no impression, and 
we were told there was no place for us. None could be found at this time 
of night ; besides there was no barley for the horses, and nothing was to 
be done unless it was to go on and try another village. Our zaptiah seemed 
to have exhausted his resources and said no more. Other villagers had 
come and were standing around the "village-man," who still insisted that 
he could do nothing. Miss Bush cjuietly suggested ^^ Arg'enfum." We got 
down from our horse, went around carelessly, and slipped a "cherek" 
(a five piaster piece ) into his fingers. He took and felt of it, and then 
went away without a word. After about ten minutes he returned with a 
light, a door was opened close beside us, and we unloaded our animals, put 
them all in, took in the luggage, went in ourselves, got our supper, spread 
our blankets, drove away our audience of villagers, fastened the stable 
door and announced to ourselves that we were one hour into the • ' next 
day," and went to sleep. We were off again the next morning before the 
sun was up. This is a sample incident of what happened in frequent varia- 
tion during interior travel. 



■ REPORT OF DR. HUBBELL. 67 

At Harpoot we arranged for supplying tools and cattle to the remaining 
villages which we failed to reach from Egin. Here, too, we found Mr. 
Wistar busy supplying harvesting and threshing implements, and cattle 
for plowing in the Harpoot plain and villages. In this vilayet there are 
upwards of two hundred villages either plundered or wholly destroyed, and 
from these many persons of all classes came for medical or surgical help. 

Preparations were made to work in Malatia, where, some weeks before, 
we had ordered supplies and medicines sent to be ready for our arrival, but 
owing to the unsettled conditions there, no such work could be done to 
advantage. The time for our return to Constantinople Vv^as drawing near 
and on the 27th of June we were ready to start for the Black Sea. We 
called to pay our respects to the Governor of Harpoot and found him as 
cordial as he had always been. Inquiries were made and explanations 
given, so that he might more thoroughly understand the character and 
purposes of the Red Cross. His Excellency remarked that it gave to those 
engaged in the work great opportunities to become acquainted with dif- 
ferent countries, and that we must have found Turkey the most difficult of 
them all to work in. He regretted that he himself had been of so little 
assistance to our efforts, etc. , but we took pleasure in saying that he had 
done at all times all that we had asked and ofttimes more. Speaking for 
those associated with our work I could safely say that all the recollec- 
tions of our personal relations v/ith the vali of Harpoot will remain with us 
as pleasant and satisfactory. 

The principal food and the main crop of the interior is wheat, and this 
year's growth wherever we have been is reported to be unusually good. If 
the wheat can be distributed where the destitution will be this coming 
winter, many lives may be saved ; if not, many must inevitably be lost for 
want of food. When we left the Harpoot valley harvesting had well begun, 
and was even more briskly going on as we neared the Euphrates, which 
we crossed for the last time at Isli on the 29th of June. The usual 
Euphrates ferry-boat is twenty-four to thirty feet long, eight feet wide, and 
two feet high at one end and eight at the other where a rudder, or sweep, 
forty feet long is hung. An American frequently sees methods of work 
and management that lead him sometimes, when first traveling, to make 
suggestions. After seeing the ferrymen upon many occasions putting 
loaded wagons on the boat, lifting them by main force some two or three 
feet with much awkwardness over the edge of the craft, we ventured to 
suggest that two planks laid on the bank and end of the boat so as to roll 
the wagons in or out would save much trouble and time and extra help 
and labor. We were met with this unanswerable reply: "Who would pay 
for them ? " 



68 REPORT OF DR. HUBBELL. 

To Malatia we carried money to the people from their relatives in 
America which had been intrusted to Dr. Barnum at Harpoot. We also 
left in the hands of a responsible committee a fund for artisans' tools, and 
a smaller sum for food and supplies in special needy cases. The state of 
prosperity and feeling of security in Malatia v/as not nearly so propitious 
as in Harpoot. We saw few people here, nor could we remain long enough 
to attempt the relief work that was probably more needed than in many 
other districts. The accompanying letter received since our return to the 
United States, from the Rev. Dr. Gates, president of the Harpoot Ameri- 
can College, gives, as will be seen on reading, a most interesting account 
of the work done and the money distributed after our departure by himself 
and Miss Bush : 

Harpoot, Turkey, Aug. ig, 1896. 
Miss Clara Barton: 

Dear Friend : Having recently received a telegram from Dr. Hubbell 
saying that the balance of funds left in our hands might be used as I sug- 
gested in a letter to him, that is, for Chemisligusek and Malatia regions. 
Miss Bush, Prof. Teuikejian and I, accompanied by Mrs. Harris, went to 
Malatia July 31st, and remained there two weeks. The time v/as most 
opportune. The Reform Commissioner, Marshall Shakir Pasha, had just 
arrived in Malatia and our English Vice Consul, Mr. Fontana, had gone on 
to meet him, so we were able to avail ourselves of their presence in our 
efforts to start business and set the people on their feet. 

Malatia depends largely on trade with the Kourdish villages. It is the 
centre of trade for some 250 of these. The Christian population go to 
them for business. Some sow grain, others do carpenter work, shoemiaking 
and the like. A very large proportion of the Christian population have their 
business in the villages. Since the events of last November all intercourse 
has been stopped because of the hostile attitude of these villagers towards 
Christians. Hence artisans and tradesmen were idle and in danger of 
losing all means of employment. 

I at once applied myself to induce the government to insure protection 
to Christians in going to the villages and collecting their dues. The con- 
sul worked splendidly on this and other lines. The government issued a 
strong proclamation to the Kourdish Aghas, the local governor called them, 
and placed them under bonds to keep the peace, and before we left the 
artisans had begun to go out to the villages. 

Then we made careful lists of the people according to their trades and 
occupations, and gave them aid to use in purchasing tools and starting 
themselves in work by which to earn their own living. 

We found 1883 orphans and 630 widows. The widows we supplied with 
spinning wheels by which they can earn something, though not enough t i 



REPORT OF DR. HUBBELL. 69 

support a family. Mrs. Harris has taken samples of embroideries for which 
she hopes to find a market in Europe. This will be a great help to women 
if successful. 

Of houses there were 567 burned, and the people are now living in the 
gardens, but the Armenian Relief Committee in Constantinople has given 
funds to aid in rebuilding, and soon houses will go up all over the city. 

Artisans have been supplied with tools, and they can now go to the vil- 
lages and use them, and to one village we gave twenty-three oxen with 
which to gather their harvest and sow for another year. 

A better state of feeling has begun to be manifested between Turks and 
Christians. Eleven prisoners were released, and the people spoke with joy 
and gratitude of their improved condition. We have received several 
touching letters of thanks from them. 

I hope and trust this visit will go far towards relieving the distress in 
that city, though some will need help this coming winter. There will be 
great need of bedding and clothing when cold weather sets in, not only in 
Malatia but in many other places. With sincere thanks for your aid, 

I remain 3^ours truly, 

C. F. Gates. 

The sun is extremely hot during the interior summer season, hence, 
when the moon was favorable we traveled by night, leaving the saddle long 
enough to sleep in the " Araba," (a sort of small, springless, covered wagon 
used where there are roads) so as to have the day to work in while our 
horses rested. When we could do so in our journey we left funds for 
specified purposes, but frequently the sufferers felt safer without such 
assistance and declined to receive it. At Sivas we gave a fund for farmers' 
tools. Here the grain crop was later than in the valleys further south. 
We also left here with the Rev. Messrs. Perry and Hubbard, a horse, in 
order to facilitate their relief work. From Malatia several families and 
individuals placed themselves under the protection of the Red Cross and 
its guards in order to go in safety to the coast. A portion of this road is 
infested with brigands and a strong guard is necessary, in fact it is needed 
throughout the whole region. The Government took pardcular care of us 
by giving us a brigand as a special guard through the dangerous part of 
the road, saying that we should be safer with him than with the regular 
military guard. A few weeks before a rich caravan was robbed on this 
road, and when we passed we had the interesting pleasure of taking tea 
and journeying for a while with the chief of these brigands who had two 
days before been enlisted in Government service. With the ample Govern- 
ment protection we have at all times had, we seldom felt concern for our 
personal safety, notwithstanding that in places where we visited there was 



70 REPORT OF DR. HUBBELL. 

often a great deal of anxiety and fear on the part of the people for their 
own safety and that of their friends, or their property if they had any. 

Tokat and Amasia were on our homeward route — the latter place being 
the site of the ancient castle of Mithridates, King of Pontus. 

At Samsoun we had two saddle-horses to dispose of, and our Consular 
Agent, Mr. Stephapopale, having a stable, kindly offered to sell them to 
the best profit for us, and to see that the proceeds were used in aiding the 
refugees who crowd to the coast in the hope of getting farther on, but only 
find themselves stranded and unable to return, becoming thereby veritable 
sufferers. 

On the i6th of July we reached the Bosphorus, four months and six days 
from the time we started out from Constantinople for the interior, glad of 
the privilege and power we have enjoyed as messengers to carry some of 
the gifts that have been entrusted to your care by the people of the world, 
for the innocent, unfortunate sufferers of Anatolia. 

Wherever we have met the Missionaries, Protestant or Catholic, we have 
found them devoting most, if not all, of their time to the work of relieving 
the suffering about them, regardless of sect or nationality ; but in all cases 
their fields of work have been greater than their strength or their means. 
With them we have worked always harmoniously and without conscious- 
ness of difference of place or creed ; and to them and to many others we 
are indebted for courtesies and for hospitalities that will always be remem- 
bered with gratitude. 

The real work of the relief expedition was greatly aided by the hearty 
co-operation of every European and American resident with whom we 
came in contact. Each did all in his power for our aid. At Alexandretta, 
for every courtesy and assistance, we are indebted to our U. S. Consular 
agent, Mr. Daniel Walker, and likewise to his business agent, Mr. John 
Falanga, in the forwarding of our supplies and caravans to the interior. 

Rev. Dr. Fuller, president of Central Turkey Armenian College, togeth- 
er with his brave, practical, accomplished wife, who gave us much informa- 
tion and arranged for us in the college buildings a warehouse and shipping 
station for goods and supplies. To the Franciscan brothers, also of Ain- 
tab, we are indebted for aid and courtesies. Here also, we had the good for- 
tune to meet the English Vice Consul Fitzmaurice, whose recently acquired 
knowledge of the country and conditions, gained from his official travels in 
the distressed districts, was cordially given and most gratefully received. 

At Marash we shall long remember with gratitude the brave people in the 
American and European missions, nearly all of whom lost property and 
friends in the general disturbance (massacre). Especially do we remem- 
ber Rev. and Mrs. Macallum, Rev. and Mrs. L. O. Lee, Miss Hess and 
Miss Blakley. We are particularly indebted to the Italian Consul just 



REPORT OF DR. HUBBELL. 7 1 

from Zeitoun and making a temporary stop in Marash, for courtesies and 
information, and likewise to the Catholic Archbishop Monsignor Avadian 
Curkian and the Franciscan Brothers of Marash, each and all for courtesies 
on the lines of our work. Many others here also we remember with grati- 
tude, but space forbids our attempting to name all. At Bazarjik, Ahemet 
Zade Mahomet Bey, and at Malatia, to Aziz Zada Mustafa Aga, to each for 
great courtesies and hospitalities. 

Harpoot American Mission became our home in every sense of the Amer- 
ican word, while we were in Central Turkey, notwithstanding the fact that 
nearly all its property and buildings had been lost by plunder and fire. 

Rev. C. F. Gates, D. D., President of the American Mission College, a 
genial scholar and practical business man, possessing a wide knowledge of 
the country, the people and conditions, made his counsels of greatest ser- 
vice as so large a part of our work was performed in this section. He was 
our banker and advisor. Rev. Dr. H. A. and Mrs. Barnum's home was 
ours every day that we were there. 

Miss C. E. Bush, earnest, experienced, cultivated and refined, who joined 
our expedition and remained through the Arabkir typhus epidemic, and 
later went wnth us to Egin, we shall ever remember with gratitude for her 
help and cheer among the disconsolate sick and suffering. 

The English Vice Consul, R. A. Fontana, proved an untiring friend, 
genial and ready at all times to assist officially and personally. 

To the Franciscan Brothers we are indebted for hospitalities. To Dr. 
H. Hintlian, whose successful work among the sick, both at Arabkir and 
at Harpoot, made his service felt, so are we grateful. 

In Arabkir we are indebted to Bodville Bedrose, whose home was ours 
while we remained in our work there ; no less for his ever cheerful and 
ready help in every emergency or delicate undertaking. The Protestant, 
Gregorian, Catholic and Turkish friends, too many to name, we remember 
with friendship and gratitude for their many deeds of kindness. 

At Egin we will ever remember the generous hospitality during our short 
stay with the families of Nicoghos Agha Jangochyan and Alexander Ef- 
fendi Kasabyan, noblemen, who by their energy and liberality saved the 
city and people from destruction, while the country around about was being 
plundered and burned, and who gave us great assistance in furnishing tools 
and implements to this section of the country.* 

Rev. and Mrs. Perry, Rev. A. B. and Mrs. Hubbard, and Messrs. 
Brewer, of Sivas, we hold in grateful remembrance for hospitalities and 

*NOTE. Since we left Egin we learn that these gentlemen with nearly two thousand 
others have been killed. These families were the center of a large community, among 
the most charming and cultivated people we were privileged to meet during our 
absence frora home. 



72 REPORT OF DR. HUBBELL. 

their cheerful acceptance o£ the task imposed in the distribution of addi- 
tional agricultural tools and implements for this district. 

To Dr. Milo A. Jewett, our Consul, and to Major Bullman, the English 
Consul, we are indebted for courtesies and hospitalities, and to our Con- 
sular Agent at Samsoun for kind relief services in the furtherance of our 
work. 

To the Turkish officials everywhere we are grateful for their careful 
supervision of our personal safety, and for the general personal freedom 
allowed ourselves wherever we worked. To the officers and guards who 
always accompanied us in our journeys through cold and heat, on the road 
by night or day, over desolate plain or mountain trail, for bringing us 













RED CROSS EXPEDITIONS PASSING THROUGH THE VALLEY 
OF CATCH BEARD. 

safely through from sea to sea without a scratch or harm of any kind, for 
all this we are most assuredly grateful, and oft recall the cheerful vigilant 
service and special courtesies we enjoyed at their hands which could only 
be prompted by the most friendly feelings and consideration. 

But we do not forget, dear Miss Barton, that the success of this expedi- 
tion is due to your careful and constant oversight and direction of all our 
movements, from the seat of government at Constantinople, from first to 
last, and to the conviction which you had impressed upon the Sublime Porte 
of your own and your officers' honesty, integrity and singleness of purpose. 
Hence for your statesmanship and generalship and constant oversight, we 
would express our warmest gratitude. 




MISS CAROLINE E. BUSH. 




FIRST EXPEDITION EMBARKING ON FERRYBOAT, EUPHRATES RIVER. 




REV. H. N. BARNUM, D. D. 




REV. C. F. GATES, D. D. 



REPORT OF DR. HUBBELL. 73 

We are grateful for the gratitude of the people we tried to relieve. It 
was universal and sincere. The kindness with which we were everywhere 
welcomed, and the assistance so cordially rendered by all the noble men 
and women with whom it has been my good fortune to become personally 
acquainted. Surrounded as they were with desolation, dangers and 
misery, they will be remembered for their worth and devotion to duty. 

Const a7tti7iople^ Auglist i, i8g6. J. B. Hubbell. 



SUB-REPORT OF DR. HINTLIAN. 



To J. B. Hubbell, M. D., General Field Agent: 

In reply to your request for a report of the medical work in connection 

with the relief of Arabkir and Harpoot, I hand a list of the patients treated 

and the following summary: 

Typhus in Arabkir, . > _ g66 

Tj^hus in Amberga (suburb), - - 29 

Cases of malarial fever, - - - 41 

General diseases, - - - - 205 

Eye cases, - - - - - 178 

Surgical cases, . _ _ _ 25 

Skin diseases, . . _ _ 65 

Typhus cases in Todem - - - 50 
Typhus cases and general diseases in Harpoot, 63 

Partial paralysis, - - - - 8 

1,611 
Deaths from typhus, _ _ _ g 

Death from chronic pleurisy, - - i 



10 

Nine deaths out of nine hundred cases gives less than one per cent, of 
mortality among the typhus patients under our care in Arabkir, where 
before we began our treatment the mortality had been twenty-six per cent. 

Our treatment of the typhus cases was simple as you know. First, to 
ventilate the room ; second, to furnish a bed or beds where there were none 
and this was a frequent symptom ; third, when the entire family was down 
or when the sick were without proper attention, to furnish a person to take 
the cases until recovery ; and fourth, to see that food of a proper kind was 
on hand, and our prescription cards frequently read: "Bed, one bushel of 
wheat, or piasters for broth, drops of hydrochloric acid, for drink. 



74 REPORT OF DR. HUBBELL. 

During our medical work in Arabkir from May 13 to June 23, we kept a 
record of cases treated, together with the treatment used. In this time we 
either treated or gave treatment to 1561 patients. Of these 966 were typhus 
cases out of which we lost nine by death. From the best sources of in- 
formation we could reach we learned that about 500 had died of this dis- 
ease before we arrived. The remaining 586 cases were of general disease, 
surgical, chronic, ordinary fever, &c. Out of this "number we lost one case 
by death. In our medical work here we met with quite a number of cases, 
as elsewhere, of semi-paralysis brought on by fright or fear. These yielded 
under mild treatment, and before we came away nearly all these cases gave 
promise for a complete recovery in a short time. 

Most of the surgical cases were gunshot or other wounds that had been 
without treatment since last November. The conditions were often deplor- 
able but they responded marvelously to our treatment. 

A peculiar disease of the skin had been frequently observed. The symp- 
tomiS were excessive nervous itching, sometimes with eruptions. It seemed 
to be the result of excessive fear. These cases usually required, in addi- 
tion to the treatment of similar skin diseases, some nerve tonic in order 
to obtain most satisfactory results. 

The typhus in this country is an eruptive fever, induced by unhygienic 
conditions, as living in over-crowded rooms without ventilation, and using 
impure water. It spreads by contagion ; while it proves fatal in a large 
degree when neglected, we have found it to yield readily to simple treat- 
ment and good nursing combined with fresh air. My medication has been 
usually but little more than acid drinks. 

I have not attempted to make a detailed report nor to enumerate the 
most distressing condition of these suffering people, but merely to give 
results of my work. 

Before leaving the city of Arabkir the druggist, Melkon Miranshahian, 
who was the first ready to assist, joined in our work during the last days 
there, and made himself familiar with the surgical and other cases and with 
our methods of treatment, for the purpose of continuing the work of relief 
himself as a Red Cross worker as long as his services might be needed 
after we left. 

You know better than I can repeat it the good work done in this city and 
villages — no less among the well than among the sick — and as you also 
know, among every race and sect of people needing help. But their 
unbounded gratitude, their blessings on you and Miss Barton, the Red 
Cross, and the American people, spoken in strange tongues, it is my 
privilege to know better than you, and I too, am deeply grateful for the 
privilege and the honor of working with the Red Cross, and shall always 
remain Yours most truly, Hagop Hintlian. 

Harpoot, Augttst 20, i8g6. 



REPORT OF 

EDWARD M. WISTAR, 

OF PHILADELPHIA, SPECIAL FIELD AGENT, IN CHARGE OF 

SECOND EXPEDITION. 



To Miss Clara Barton, President: 

Upon my return from the field of active work in Asia Minor, you have 
asked for a summary of my report made to you from time to time. It 
follows herewith : 

Perhaps it was the gth of December last, that upon looking over my 
office mail, there met my eye a letter from you and Mr, Pullman. Suffer- 
ing in Turkey had been much on my mind during the previous few days, 
and before opening your envelope there seemed to come to me the thought, 
"What if this prove a call for services in Armenia?" Your kind prelimi- 
naries were followed by the query, ' ' If we find it possible to go to Armenia 
will it be possible for you to go with us?" After full deliberation I wired 
you that I would be at your service, and immediately made arrangements 
for leaving home. Subsequent correspondence and an interview with you 
in Washington placed me in an attitude of readiness. Later (the 2 2d of 
January having been fixed for leaving America ) , I was expecting to ac- 
company you, when for certain good reasons a wire received about noon of 
the 2ist said, "Not to-morrow, wait for further advice." This advice 
finally came by cable from Constantinople on the 19th of February, "come 
Saturday (22d), and bring another man." Accordingly Mr. Charles King 
Wood sailed with me on the following day, the 22d. We were in London 
within the week and welcomed by you in your own home in Constantinople 
on the 7th of March. 

The important matter of selecting and contracting with a suitable inter- 
preter, and other preliminary arrangements, detained us a few days in 
Constantinople, but these being made and teskeres (traveling passports) 
granted by the authorities, we took passage for Alexandretta, in Syria, at 
the northeast corner of the Mediterranean. The passage was circuitous 



76 REPORT OF MR. WISTAR. 

and long stops were made for cargo so that eight days were spent on the 
voyage, but we were cheered upon our arrival to find Dr. Hubbell in Alex- 
andretta, where he had been getting off a large caravan. That afternoon 
all our teskeres were vised for Aintab and at [sunrise the next day the 
journey into the interior v/as commenced. Passing over the broad plains 
of Antioch and by Hymmum-Khan we reached Killis in three days, shortly 
after the massacre there. An irresponsible mob followed and jeered at us 
as we entered the town, but offered no actual violence. It may be said 
here that during all our stay in the country the zaptiehs, or guards deputed 
for our personal escorts, were always respectful, and, so far as appeared, 
vigilant in their care of us. At one place I recall hearing an officer instruct 
the guard that if anyone attempted to interfere with the Americans he 
should be summarily dealt with. 

At Killis we called first on the Kaimikam, the head of the local govern- 
ment, who received us cordially, and indeed in all subsequent visits m.ade 
to the authorities we were always courteously treated. After two days 
investigation it did not seem best to open a campaign of relief here as your 
caravan of supplies had already gone to Aintab and to which place we 
were all vised. 

Reaching this latter place we arranged for the distribution of your goods 
and also some clothing, etc., contributed by the Friends' Mission of Con- 
stantinople. Finding relief work being done here and feeling the greater 
need of points yet beyond, it v/as decided to separate, going by different 
routes so as to touch as many such places as possible, and to meet again at 
Harpoot if it should prove practicable. Leaving Dr. Hubbell, with Mr. 
Wood still accompanying me, I set out for Oorfa on the 6th of April, pass- 
ing through Nisib and many smaller mud hut villages, crossed the swollen 
Euphrates and reached Beredjik the second day and Oorfa in two more. 
The world knows of the heroic work of Miss Corinna Shattuck ; how she 
was alone in Oorfa during the dark days of December 2Sth and 29th; how 
she saved in her own house scores of terrified refugees ; and how she is 
still laboring or striving in her quiet, unobtrusive way to relieve the needs 
of those about her. It is not necessary that I say more — her name is one 
that should be remembered among the heroines of Christian womanhood 
with a lustre undimmed to the last. It was a great privilege to be able to 
offer her sympathy and encouragement. 

About $900, or in exact figures, 200 Turkish liras ($4.40), were expended 
in co-operation vdth Miss Shattuck, and during twelve days spent at Oorfa 
arrangements for the making of a considerable supply of household utensils 
were effected. This operation commended itself as giving employment to 
a considerable number of efficient workmen, who were found destitute 



REPORT OF MR. WISTAR. 77 

and because the product gave relief to a large number of destitute people 
which should be permanent in character. 

At dawn, the 21st of April, we were again in the saddle following the trail 
towards the city of Diarbekir ; passing through Severek, two days' en 
route from Oorfa, a town and district badly plundered but which had re- 
ceived some help from Oorfa, and to which more funds were sent later, we 
reached the ancient walled city on the forenoon of the 24th. 

At Diarbekir we were most hospitably entertained by Mr. Hallward, the 
British Consul, spending Saturday and Sunday there to give our horses a 
needed rest, to gather information and to report to you, as you may re- 
member, and thence over the Taurus Mountains to Harpoot. Rev. Dr. H . 
N. Barnum, the veteran missionary. Dr. C. F. Gates, president of the Mission 
College, other missionaries and a host of the inhabitants greeted our arrival 
at the entrance of the city, and we were assigned comfortable quarters in 
one of the Mission houses. To us, strangers and travel-worn as we were, it 
seemed almost more than an incident, when with no other previous arrange - 
ment, except that upon parting at Aintab it was proposed that we meet again 
at Harpoot, and with no possible communication between us in more than 
three weeks, we saw Dr. Hubbell with his expedition enter the city from 
Malatia, later the same day. We felt our way for a day or two and then with 
fresh advice from you set to work to arrange details for active personal ser- 
vice in different sections of the Harpoot field, gaining as much information 
as possible relative to requirements and conditions. Incidentally, but with 
direct purpose, a number of villages were visited and interviews had with 
recommended men from different localities. Mr. Wood now arranged with 
Dr. Hubbell for funds and work apart from me. My first call, before com- 
mencing the work of the great Harpoot plain, was from Char-Sandjak, with 
Peri as a center, a district lying northeast from Harpoot, about two days' 
distant across a rugged mountainous country and two branches of the 
Euphrates, with a population of about 8,500 persons, inhabiting 74 
villages, all but four of which had been wholly or in large part plundered 
during the disturbances of last autumn. Here as in other places visited, 
there was an urgent need of clothing, food and bedding ; for tools and 
farming implements and a little capital for starting industries; also for 
seed. Accompanied by my interpreter I was able to work early and late 
for three weeks in this district and with gratifying results. Native cloth 
from hand-looms was bought from anyone who had it to sell at a fixed 
price. It was immediately cut into garments which were given out to be 
sewed by the women in their homes and returned the following morning ; 
these suits were often clothing the nakedness of the people on that day. 
Thus the one outlay was made to serve three different purposes — a market 
for the weavers' cloth, work for hundreds of women, and clothing for the 



yS REPORT OF MR. WISTAR. 

most needy. About 150 artisans in need of tools and small capital were 
reinstated in business. Two hundred oxen and five hundred implements and 
tools, including a large proportion of plows were bought and distributed ; 
bread rations were given out daily. 

At the end of three weeks a walk through the bazaars of Peri showed a 
large increase in activity in the shops, particularly of the blacksmiths, cop- 
persmiths and shoemakers, and the general condition of trade was much 
improved. 

The field was left in the hands of a good native committee, with some 
supplies, afterwards much increased when visited by me. Returning to 
Harpoot I engaged in further relief work there, looking towards the giving 
of work-animals and tools, and the re-establishment of industries. Our 
particular efforts were to save the great grain crop of the Harpoot plain, 
which for weeks past had been developing before our eyes and was now 
beginning to turn from green to gold — the one bar, as appeared, against 
famine in the future. In the many perplexing issues always at hand there 
was the greatest need to stand one's ground firmly in this purpose, for if 
the grain crop could not be properly harvested and secured the number of 
ragged and starving would be wofully augmented and so lie again for the 
coming winter on the hearts of the charitable world. 

During these months it was necessary that the work be as rapid and con- 
tinuous as possible. Headquarters were in succession at Harpoot, at Peri, 
on the road, and again at Plarpoot. All one's previous experiences were in 
requisition. Committees of investigation were sought out and arranged 
and reports and petitions from towns and villages and from scores of 
individuals were received daily. Bargains for grain, cattle, cloth, tools 
and a variety of them, and of other merchandise were negotiated, reports 
were filed, and wants and agreements noted. 

As my own cashier the responsibility thickened, all transactions, the 
largest as well as the least, having to be met in ready coin carried in belt 
pockets and saddle bags. President Gates, of Euphrates College at Har- 
poot, acted as our general banker, and in this as in other ways his good 
judgment and sagacity were of the greatest assistance. All payments 
were made personally and a complete cash account, tendered you with this, 
was kept. 

Applicants of course flocked by hundreds and finally by thousands, the 
great mass of them on foot. Many had to return disappointed as before 
indicated. 

Nearly all the grain was distributed under my personal supervision by a 
small committee of native men. Where this was not feasible I issued 
orders to heads of families, having first secured an option on a good supply 
at a fixed price. * 



REPORT OF MR. WISTAR. 79 

Tools and implements were contracted for according to sample and at a 
stated price ; or at times I informed the blacksmiths at Harpoot or other 
towns that cash would be paid for all delivered during certain days at a 
standard rate, if properly branded. Being firm in this position from the 
outset, efforts to deceive me and defraud those for whom the work was 
being done were avoided. 

These articles were in large part distributed village by village, and 
gathering knowledge by experience gained in other fields of relief and 
acting under your distinct orders and well-tried policy, the people were 
supplied direct, or through a village committee appointed by themselves, 
and always vouched for under the systematic investigation your method 
required. They came from all parts of the section. Your instructions 
provided for the appointment of a general or district advisory and investi- 
gating committee, made up of a small number of leading native merchants, 
pastors, and others as thoroughly conversant with local wants and individ- 
ual characters. They received or had referred to them all the local 
applications for relief. This committee required due reports, submitting the 
results to me, and I took such action as mj best judgment and knowledge 
would admit of. Clothing and bedding were thus distributed from my 
quarters by reliable men who knew the people. All those who received 
money were interviewed, carefully examined and paid by myself, as it was 
frequently the case that the needy individuals could do better for themselves 
than I could do for them, by having a small sum given them. Most cattle and 
pack animals were purchased by individuals for themselves or by a small com- 
mittee for certain residents of a given village. In such cases I carefully 
used ordinary business precautions to secure trustworthy results, and 
required reports. Animals and tools were branded as directed by you. 
This occasioned some difficulty when dealing with a fresh set of people but 
they finally came to appreciate its usefulness as a matter of safety and 
gave assistance when required. 

It was our purpose to lift the people up from their deplorable 
ruins, and to encourage them to look toward reassuring normal conditions, 
using therein whatever I could command to bring this about. 

The estimated result of our work in Harpoot city and district with its 85 
villages, was the re-establishment of 4,575 artisans, the providing of 700 
oxen, cows, asses and horses ; nearly 3,000 farm implements and other 
tools were made and distributed, as also 3,500 articles of clothing, 500 beds 
and 1,470 bushels of grain. Medicine was also furnished to fever patients. 
I remained in Harpoot with this work until the third of July, when hav- 
ing received your recall, Mr. Wood was summoned from Farkin and so re- 
turned together to Constantinople, via Sivas, Samsoun and the Black Sea, 
arriving at Constantinople on the 20th of July. 



8o 



REPORT OF MR. WISTAR. 



The guidance and support of the Unseen Hani has spared all from 
harm, sustained in vigorous health and given the will to do and to hold fast 
at times when without it the grasp must have slackened and the fight been 
given up. A word of gratitude to you may yet be added and through you 
to your right hand, Mr. Pullman, the financial secretary. I was not un- 
mindful of the mental rack upon which you were being daily tried, nor of 
the heavy responsibility you have carried ; yet you failed not to cheer when 
the dark days came nor to strengthen and encourage when opportunity 



\.^ 



^• 














.J— 






INTERIOR OF GREGORIAN CHURCH AT GORFA. 

offered ; so that at times of discouragement which it must be confessed did 
occur, I could always feel that a double vigil was being kept on my behalf ; 
one in the heart of her who ever asks in my far away home, and one in 
yours, "Lord, give him wisdom, give fortitude, give patience." 

In thus reporting to you, it becomes a pleasure to recall the hospitality so 
freely offered by many ; by Christians and by Moslems, Armenians, Greeks • 
and others who were able to assist. At the different stations of the Amer- 
ican Missions our gratitude has been largely drawn upon, for at these we 
have been treated as brothers. Every one has done all possible for comfort 




REV. GEORGE WASHBURN, D. D. , PRESIDENT OF ROBERT COLLEGE, BEBEC. 



ROBERT COLLEGE. 




CISTERN OF THE THOUSAND COLUMNS, STAMBOUL 





WALL TOWER, DIARBEKIR. 



REPORT OF MR. WISTAR. 8 1 

and for the furtherance of our work. At Harpoot, where it was my lot to 
spend many weeks the friendship and moral support received has been and 
always will be highly valued. At all Consulates on our route, those of our 
own dear land, those of England and of France, we have been most hospit- 
ably welcomed and helped as the occasion gave opportunity. Finally in 
this connection I recall with most agreeable sensations the reception and 
warm interest shown in our mission by our countrymen the Admiral and 
officers of the U. S. Ship San Francisco at Smyrna, and by the officers of 
the U. S. Ship Marblehead at Mersina. 

Respectfully submitted, 
Constantinople, July 22d, iSgd. E. M. Wistar. 




^■f,r icfCi Gc-^ 5n^i aic^D Br' W^x-^i r^,Bf5^f^ 



TOOLS, AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS, WEAPONS, ETC. 



REPORT OF 

CHARLES KING WOOD, 

OF PHILAD^iLPHIA, SPECIAL FIELD AGENT, IN CHARGE 
OF THIRD EXPEDITION. 



To Miss Clara Barton, President: 

On the igth of last March your second expedition, under Edward M. 
Wistar and myself, with dragomen, left Constantinople for Alexandretta 
with supplies and funds, following closely upon the first expedition under 
Dr. Hubbell. At that time, although provided with teskeres (Turkish 
passports ) the way was not entirely clear for our further progress toward 
the interior. But on arriving at the port of entry, through the efforts of 
Daniel Walker, Esq., our American Consular Agent, ably seconded by 
your own influence at the Capital, we were enabled to have our papers 
vised for Aintab. Thus, step by step, at first scarcely knowing one day 
if we should be in a position to advance the next, we made our way toward 
the stricken districts. The journey was rough and not unaccompanied by 
hardships and dangers. Now that it is all over we can only remember the 
joy of having been permitted to be of some little service to our fellow men 
and to her also whose whole life has been spent in extending the helping 
hand, and never an empty one, to the afflicted and destitute of no matter 
what name or creed. In this joy we forget the trials that appear less and 
less as we regard them in retrospect. 

Dr. Hubbell had just dispatched several large caravans with clothing, 
tools and other supplies to Marash, Aintab, and other points in the field, 
and without loss of time on the day following our arrival in Alexandretta 
we set out for Aintab with an escort of Turkish soldiers. I may take this 
occasion to say that under all circumstances the Ottoman authorities have 
insured us the most efficient protection. During all the four months spent 
in the interior we were never without a guard for a moment — they were 
sometimes embarassingly in evidence. One had little privacy and could 
not even go for a bath without being accompanied by a zaptieh, but I have 
no doubt that the safety of our lives and property was due to these pre- 
cautions. The country is infested with brigands, overrun with nomadic 



84 REPORT OF MR. WOOD. 

tribes of Kourds, Arabs, and by errant bands of Circassians, so without an 
armed escort of soldiers it would be impossible for travelers to penetrate 
into the interior. Their presence was a badge of official recognition and 
even the most intrepid marauders have a wholesome fear of government 
authority. 

As we moved on to Aintab v/e saw many terrified refugees, fleeing to the 
coast in the hope of embarking on some vessel. There was a spirit of fear 
and unrest in the air almost palpable in its intensity. Our guards kept us 
close together, scrutinized carefully every approaching caravan and bunch 
of travellers, and appeared anxious. At Kurrig-Khan, a little village where 
we halted one day at noon to rest our animals, we found that only the 
night before a band of Circassians had planned to attack the place and 
plunder the inhabitants, but the authorities had gotten hold of the intent 
and forestalled it, by dispatching post-haste a squad of Turkish infantry to 
protect the village. 

Approaching Killis, rumors came to us of troubles in that city, and when 
we reached there, openly menaced and hooted at by the rabble, we found 
the ill news was only too true. An uprising had taken place in the city, 
many people were slain, and shops and houses had been plundered. There 
was no room for us in the khan, even among the cattle and camels, so we 
were obliged to seek shelter elsewhere, and as we went through the narrow 
winding streets every shop was empty and every door barred. The busi- 
ness life was gone from the city and excitement was written on every face. 
Finally, however, we found another khan, difficult of access and dirty, and 
entered only by an intricate passage-way, almost a cul-de-sac, but it was 
our only haven and we had to make the best of it. We remained two days 
in Killis purchasing supplies, &c. , and notwithstanding the riot about us, 
were entirely protected and unharmed. 

The governor of the city sent his "salaams" and inquired as to our per- 
sonality and intentions. To this we responded by a call of courtesy, giv- 
ing him the desired information and extending our thanks for the protection 
which had been afforded us during such troubled times. We found that his 
Excellency had known of our approach several days, that he had received 
instructions to take care of us and had acted upon them. 

Leaving Killis in the early morning, our long caravan strung out single- 
file over the foot-hills and into the mountains, a brave sight and one that I 
am sure that could they have seen it would have delighted the hearts of the 
charitable Americans, whose contributions were thus finding a way to the 
desolated homes of Anatolia. The "trail" (there was no road) was tortuous 
and muddy, and for much of the way among huge boulders. Up and 
down over mountains and valleys uninhabited, and almost uninhabitable, 
treeless, stony wastes. For miles the only signs of human life were bands 



REPORT OF MR. WOOD. 



85 



of Kourds or wandering Gypsies, and flocks of cattle, sheep and goats, with 
the wild looking skin-clad shepherds who led them in search of the scanty- 
herbage that grows in the springtime among this chaos of rocks. A wierd, 
monotonous countr}^ a wilderness and the picture of desolation ! One can 
readily imagine true the tales of robbery or worse, upon these lonely 
mountain sides. It is marvellous to see how the long legged, awkward camels 
with their heavy loads manage to tread their way over such rough trails. 
Silently and slowly they move along like the ghosts of dead creatures, and 
yet, they are the best means of conveying merchandise in this land of 
primitive conveniences. 




RED CROSS HEADQUARTERS, FARKIN, WOOd's EXPEDITION. 
CASTLE BELONGING TO A KOURDISH BEY. 

At Aintab we remained a week gathering information relative to the 
needs of the people, which as you know we have reported to you from time 
to time; and arranging for the distribution of our caravan loads. And 
then leaving Dr. Hubbell's expedition we pressed on several days further 
east to Beredjik upon the Euphrates, another city which has suffered much 
but where it did not appear practicable to establish a station. 

At Oorfa, our next place of importance, we found Miss Shattuck, assisted 
by Mr. Saunders, in charge of the relief work. Miss Shattuck was entirely 
alone in Oorfa during the never-to-be-forgotten days of December 28th and 
29th. The brave part she played in saving so many lives is too well known 
to need reiteration, but I cannot refrain from expressing the sentiments 



86 REPORT OF MR. WOOO. 

that we cherish toward her, as those of sincere admiration for her Christian 
character and noble heroism, with an affectionate remembrance of her 
many sisterly kindnesses, and the hearty hospitality w^hich was so freely 
extended to us in her home. With the relief work very well systematized, 
she was looking particularly toward the future, realizing that American 
and English funds would not always continue to flow in as they were doing. 
She had a large force of men and women employed daily in an industrial 
department, making clothing and bedding, which was then distributed 
among the necessitous; she was also giving weekly rations to extreme 
cases. 

Our work in Oorfa was intended to be supplementary to that already so 
well established there. We left a fund for the manufacture and distribu- 
tion of cooking utensils, and for the re-instatement of the various handi- 
crafts of the city such as those in need of tools or small capital. Then we 
pressed on two days further to Severek, a city smaller than Oorfa but badly 
in want of aid. Inquiries were made, and as we know, subsequently acted 
upon. Two long days in the saddle and a part of a third brought us to the 
ancient walled city of Diarbekir, the Amida which harrassed not a little 
the ancient Romans. Eveiy where from the neighborhood refugees had fled 
into the city, and the consequence was congestion and direst distress. As 
we approached we passed several burned and deserted villages where every 
house had been looted. Although about two thousand people were killed 
in the city itself and a whole quarter of the bazaars laid waste and every- 
one plundered, yet the loss was proportionately much less than in the 
surrounding villages, which had been sacked of absolutely every portable 
thing they possessed, even to the doors, windows, and timbers of the roofs. 

We met the kindest reception from Mr. Cecil M. Hallward, British Consul 
for the Vilayet of Diarbekir, making his comfortable Consulate our home 
during the two days we remained in the city. Consul Hallward has been 
doing what he can to relieve the wants of the people, but with a field of 
60,000 needy souls and funds largely inadequate he is handicapped at every 
turn. Up to that time only 1,575 liras ($8,000) had been received for the 
entire field from every source. This amount, however, had been augment- 
ed at my last visit there (of which more later) to about 5,000 liras ($22,000), 
still vastly insufficient and proportionately much less than that of any other 
district. Here, therefore, to the best of my judgment was the greatest 
need in proportion to the help afforded, that had come under our observation. 
In the district of Silouan, for instance, where there are twelve thousand 
indigent, an indigence more desperate than one can possibly imagine, only 
two hundred liras had been distributed. Over two hundred and twenty 
persons had died from actual starvation and there was the greatest distress. 
Forty-eight villages were utterly destroyed, their cattle driven off and all 



REPORT OF MR. WOOD. 87 

tools and implements stolen. Even should the people return to their ruined 
houses, they would be impotent to aid themselves without at least the 
means to purchase materials and implements to recommence their work, 
and then they must live in the meantime until they can realize on their 
labors. Thirty-seven hundred shops, one thousand in the city of Diarbekir 
alone, had been burned or otherwise destroyed. V/ithout ocular evidence, 
and scarcely then, can one conceive of the fearful destitution in this region. 
And then there is Nisibin Hine and Hazere, and in all the devastated dis- 
trict of Mardin and other fields yet untouched, and there was no one to go 
to them. All this data was secured, and anticipating returning later, we 
went on to meet Dr. Hubbell according to instructions from yourself. We 
set out across the rugged, snow-capped Taurus Mountains to the city of 
Harpoot, where we arrived three days later. Here we again divided our 
forces and it was my lot to go to Palou, lying two days' over the mountains 
in a gorge of the Euphrates. Here was a field embracing besides the city 
of Palou, fifty-eight villages with a population of perhaps fifty thousand 
souls, of which at least fifteen thousand were destitute. There are more 
than two hundred villages in the Palou field, a large part of which are 
Kourd or Turk. The people are barbarous and still in part ruled over by 
feudal chiefs who hold almost despotic sway over the lives, honor, and 
property of their vassals. Palou suffered greatly during the massacres, 
and through fear the local committee appointed by the missionaries was 
unable to distribute aid- to the people. Here was another place where the 
greatest need prevailed and which only the Red Cross was able to reach. 
Accordingly, with Professor Tenekegian from the Mission college at Har- 
poot, a most capable assistant and interpreter, we lost no time in repairing 
to the scene of action. The pale, emaciated faces and tattered garments 
of the people bore only abundant testimony that we arrived none too soon. 
We plunged at once into personal work, preparing first as a foundation for 
all just and proper distribution, careful lists of families, eliminating all such 
as were in any way able to care for themselves or had friends in America, 
Constantinople, or elsewhere to aid them, and cutting down the number in 
a family considered as needy to the very lowest point, with a view to 
making the funds we had achieve the greatest possible help to the greatest 
number. A committee of the best men of the place was appointed to 
meet with us and go over these lists and revise and correct them before we 
should give out any supplies, so that when the distributions commenced we 
were certain that they were fair and equal and that none who were worthy 
were omitted. Three thousand articles of clothing and bedding were 
distributed from headquarters in the city. One thousand large pieces of 
cloth suitable either for clothing or bedding were also distributed. Em- 
ployment was given to all the blacksmiths, iron being furnished them for 



88 REPORT OF MR. WOOD. 

which they paid us market price out of the value of the tools which they 
made. Over three thousand plows, scythes, shovels, saws, pickaxes, and 
other implements were manufactured and distributed among the fifty-eight 
villages and the city in accordance v/ith our lists. Assistance was also 
afforded for the purchase of some six hundred work-cattle, and for the 
rebuilding of several thousand destroyed houses. One hundred and fifty 
new widows were supplied with wool or cotton and spinning-wheels also, 
with which they are enabled to earn their own living and that of the 
orphans dependent upon them. Scores of other women were employed 
daily at headquarters cutting out garments and bedding, or spinning thread 
which we gave with the articles for the people to sew for themselves. 
Three hundred artisans were re-established in their usual avocations. The 
water-way to the destroyed quarter of the city had become sadly in need of 
repair, affording but a feeble, largely insufficient flow, thus threatening 
severe distress and probably disease during the coming heated term. This 
we undertook to repair, giving work to needy men and at the same time 
bestowing a most important boon upon the city. It was commenced at our 
very entrance into the field, and it was a most happy forerunner, for 
Moslem and Christian alike in the Orient regard one who gives a supply of 
water to the people as little lower than the angels. So our initial stroke 
was a propitious one and we soon found that the prayers of all were rising 
in our behalf because of it. When the repairs were finished the people said 
that never since the building of the aqueduct had they obtained so copious 
a water supply. 

The relief work included in its scope absolutely every needy family in the 
whole field; there was not an individual to whom something was not given, 
and that something, be it clothing or bedding, plow, saw or shovel, assist- 
ance in business or what it might, was to the best of our knowledge the 
thing the most essential for each one. The authorities were kind and visit- 
ed us often, but never once did they interfere with our work or seek to con- 
trol our methods, and the "lists" from which we distributed were not 
prepared by the Turkish Government but by ourselves. We asked directly 
upon entering the work that the Governor would appoint a commission of 
Turkish officials to be present at all distributions as a protection to our- 
selves ; but the commission did not long attend our lengthy sittings, and it 
ended in our simply sending in to the Governor occasional reports as to 
what distributions we had made. 

In addition to other work we distributed a food supply of 97,056 piastres 
from missionary relief funds, among the villages and the city of Palou. 
Five hard toilsome weeks were spent in Palou, but finally when we mounted 
our horses to ride away, it was a grateful sight to remark the increased 
activity in the market places and to see that the pinched and suffering look 



-r~ 







I.' 



^-^^fel&Si- .^Xl^^ 1J2!SM^ 



HARPOOT RUINS. 



;•/. .C'-,''.-i^! ... -,'>Vc--'i'-fss;v>-^-- v.-J*' 




SECTION OF RED CROSS CARAVAN. 



Sjgjj^, 
















GALATA TOWER, OR THE TOWER OF CHRIST, WAS BUILT IN 1348. 
NOW USED AS A FIRE STATION. 



REPORT OF MR. WOOD. 



89 



had almost faded away from the faces of the people and a renewed hope 
and resolution had taken its place. With the courage born of the fact that 
some one from the outside world had come to them and knew and ap- 
preciated their condition, they had aroused themselves from the fearful 
apathy into which they had fallen, and with the opportunities that the Red 
Cross had afforded them they were now getting on their feet again. We 
were assured over and over that if the Red Cross had only come to them 
and done nothing, the moral effect of its presence alone was invaluable. 
As we rode out over the plains of Palou on our return journey with our 
labors ended, we saw farmers working in the fields with oxen and plows 
that we had given them, some with our picks and shovels clearing away 
the debris from their demolished houses and others rebuilding with Red 
Cross timbers. One man I remember we met on the road with a great 
blacksmith's bellows that our money had bought for him, and so it was all 
alono- the road. We were gratified by seeing the ripened fruits of our 




s^- 



OLD TOWER AT OORFA. 

labors, meeting on every hand the prayers and benedictions from grateful 
hearts ; some even endeavoring to kiss our hands and our feet in the exu- 
berance of their feeling. The harvest was ripe for the sickle and we were 
glad that our aid and tools had been timely given. 

Reaching Harpoot again only one day was spent in preparation, and then 
with Baron Vartan, a young native teacher as interpreter and assistant 
(Kourdish was the only language of the new field to which we were going, 
so a new interpreter had to be secured), we set out for Diarbekir, and the 
devastated district of Silouan; for the Vilayet of Diarbekir had all the 
while lived in memory and lain both heavily and hopefully on my heart. 
Perhaps even yourself will never realize the joy with which I received your 
brief order— "Take 1,000 liras and go to Diarbekir." We knew that close 
behind that was the general order to report to Constantinople at a given 
time. Not a moment of either day or night was lost, as you may well 
imagine. Starting in the afternoon we traveled all night, the next day 



90 



REPORT OF MR. WOO! 



and the next night, reaching Diarbekir in little over 48 hours, a journey 
ordinaril/ requiring from three to four days. Stopping in the city only one 
night, we ordered to be made by the smiths 1,400 artisan, farm and other 
tools, and then hastened on to Farkin, the principal town of Silouan to es- 
tablish a relief station. Fording the Tigris, for two days we journeyed 
eastward over a monotonous, rolling country, almost deserted — only here 
and there the little mud hamlets of Kourds. A village was but a crumbling 
pile of ruined walls, deserted and a nesting place only for the storks. In 
perhaps a dozen of these villages we saw not so much as one house with 
even a roof. But the saddest sight of all to me was the miles and miles of 
fallow ground. Scarcely a plowed field, except those about the Kourd set- 
tlements, in all that vast territory over which we traveled. What famine ! 
What misery! Even worse if possible does this foretell for another year! 
Once a rich, thriving and populous land, and to what has it come ? The 
cradle of our race, and look at it now. We arrived only in the nick of 
time with our harvest tools ; we found people in the fields actually endeav- 
oring to garner the grain with their naked hands. Fancy, if possible, 
such an utterly destitute condition ; it is well nigh incredible and pitiable be- 
yond expression. Fancy if you can the joy of the people at the advent of 
the Red Cross in their midst. 

Upon reaching Farkin, the Centurion or head of our body-guard, took 
us directly to the Government House to pay our respects to the Governor, 
and also that we might give some account of ourselves. His Excellency, 
evidently forewarned of our arrival, received us with great cordiality, and 
offered us the hospitality of one of the Beys of the Vilayet — a Kourd chief 
— which suggestion was promptly ratified by Hadji Raschid Agha himself. 
Shortly we found ourselves quartered in his great stone house, built on the 
massive inner walls of the ancient Meafarkin. He had many servants, 
fine picturesque looking fellows with long straight knives in their girdles, 
and these, his whole household and stables he placed at our disposal, giving 
us the keys. We all slept on the roof together under the bright rainless 
Oriental night sky, and we were made as comfortable as courtesy could 
suggest. A dinner even was given in our honor, and many of the Turkish 
grandees were in attendance. 

As we had only a short time to remain in Farkin, we went to work at 
once to appoint and instruct a committee, consisting of one Gregorian, one 
Roman Catholic, one Syrian and one Protestant, to receive and distribute 
tools when we should be gone. We told them if there was any interference 
with their work, or if the Kourds plundered any of the implements, that 
fact was to be immediately reported to consul Hallward at Diarbekir, who 
kindly assured me that he was prepared to take measures in such an event 
to compel restitution and to prevent further difficulties in that direction. 



REPORT OF MR. WOOD. 



91 



We saw half of the implements actually in the hands of the committee and 
the others on the way, and then returned to Piarbekir and left the balance 
of the funds, which time did not permit to distribute in person, under the 
direction of the English Consul for further relief in Farkin and in Redwan, 
another sadly needy neighboring district. 

We then set out again on the long tiresome week's journey over the heat- 
ed plains and rough mountain trails of Mesopotamia back again to Harpoot, 
where we found our good friend and co-worker, Edward M. Wistar, having 
finished a glorious campaign in that field, and in readiness for departure 
for Constantinople, in response to your call for consultation and rest. 

We were glad when our responsibility was over, and it was with light 
hearts that we started on the long ride of two weeks to the coast at Sam- 
soun. and then two days longer by steamer on the Black Sea. down the 
Bosphorus to you, and Mr. Pullman, the tireless faithful secretary, the 
brotherly co-worker, to whose energy and competency we all owe so much. 
What a pleasure it was to be once more by your side and to clasp your 
hand in warm greeting mingled with the aff ectiou you know and appre- 
ciate as well as we can tell you. 

And now my little story, as the fairy books would say, is ended, and I 
beg leave to close my very informal report with sincerest thanks for the 
privilege which has been accorded me of allying my humble services to the 
noble ranks of the American National Red Cross. 

Constantinople, August ist, i8g6. Charles King Wood. 




A BIT OF PALOU. 



REPORT OF 

DR. IRA HARRIS, 

OF TRIPOLI, SYRIA, PHYSICIAN IN CHARGE OF THE FOURTH 
FIELD EXPEDITION FOR THE RELIEF OF 

MARASH AND ZEITOUN. 



Dr. Ira Harris, resident American physician at Tripoli, Syria, a gentle- 
man of high attainments, Christian character, scholarship and service, who 
directs a large private hospital and practice of his own, honored the Red 
Cross and contributed largely to the beneficence of his and our own people's 
efforts to relieve and rebuild the people of Asia Minor, by accepting a 
commission to command an expedition for the relief of the fever-stricken 
thousands, residents and refugees, crowded into the cities of Marash and 
Zeitoun. The reports received from consuls and missionaries presented a 
t^rible condition of affairs, threatening the lives of thousands by pestilence 
and hunger, more rapidly than the Circassian knife and the Kourdish 
spear and bullet had done. Our own special agents were all in charge of 
difficult and distant fields, and none could be spared to this section. After 
various disappointments, aided by the Rev. Dr. Post at Beyrout Dr. Ira 
Harris was reached and asked to aid in organizing and forming a relief 
expedition at once. Besides himself as director, six other physicians and 
two pharmacists were required. Dr. Harris, though burdened with hos- 
pital patients and promised operations, finally decided to proceed to Beyrout 
and meet Dr. Post, taking with him his own assistant and pharmacist. Dr. 
Hubbell had already been Dr. Harris' guest and this fact aided the latter' s 
acceptance. At Beyrout time was spent in examining medical applicants, 
most of whom withdrew however on learning of the dangers before them. 
Two Protestant doctors were secured on the second day, and so with half 
the needed medical force at hand, the supplies and stores were quickly 
purchased and packed for travel. Arrangements at Tripoli for the 
care of Dr. Harris' own patients were then made, and upon the third of 
April our fourth expedition was under way. A route was chosen via 



REPORT OF DR. HARRIS. 93 

Mersene and Adana. At the latter city some delay was occasioned by the 
rumors of incursions of bandit tribes to neighboring towns and villages and 
an insufficient military escort available. After trying in vain two or three 
days, to influence the local authorities Dr. Harris telegraphed to Red Cross 
headquarters for assistance. The matter was immediately brought to the 
attention of the Porte, through the U. S. Legation, and within an hour an 
imperial order was sent to the Governor of Adana. As fine a mounted 
Turkish soldier guard as ever escorted an expedition was at once found, 
and Dr. Harris with his corps of assistants, hastened on to Marash, where 
he was welcomed by Dr. Hubbell of our first expedition, on the eighteenth 
of April, after five days' of severe travel. Dr. Harris' report was embod- 
ied in a letter. After enumerating the trials at Adana, from which he was 
so quickly freed by the order from the Porte, the doctor continues: 

We found that the medical work was being cared for by native physicians, 
and the missionaries and their wives were caring for the other relief work, 
one feature of which seemed to me very valuable indeed, /. e. , the making of 
clothing by poor women from the material sent by you from Constantino- 
ple or purchased by Dr. Hubbell in Marash. I wish the dear people in 
America who gave of their means, could see with their own eyes the con- 
dition of thousands in these districts alone. The hundreds of women, 
almost destitute of covering, and that a mass of rags. It does not require 
much thought to realize the value of good clothing at such a time. 

A consultation was held and our party decided to proceed to Zeitoun, 
just as soon as our weary bodies were rested. Unfortunately the day after 
we arrived I had a severe chill and fever which prostrated me for several 
days. As the symptoms seemed to resemble typhus fever the doctors re- 
mained with me until a clear diagnosis was made by the fever leaving me 
on Thursday. The next day the party went to Zeitoun with Mr. Macallum, 
I following three days later. 

I have witnessed scenes of suffering, both in the United States and the 
Orient, but never, to my dying day, will I be able to dismiss from my 
mind the horror of the pinched, haggard faces and forms that gathered 
about me that first day. Before we left the tent one of the doctors said : 
"we will now see the place is full of walking skeletons." This expressed 
fully their condition. Just imagine a place having a normal population of 
12,500 living all told in 1,403 houses, you can see there is not much cubic 
space to spare; then imagine 7,000 or more refugees to be provided for in 
the town also. Some of the Zeitoun es gave shelter to a small number, 
but the greater majority lived on the street, under the houses, in many in- 
stances too vile to be of use to its owner ; in cow and donkey stables with 
the animals ; in spaces in close proximity to water closets ; in fact not a place 
that even suggested shelter was unoccupied. The smell and presence of 



94 REPORT OF DR. HARRIS. 

human excrement were everywhere, and this, added to divers other odors 
made the air a fit place for the culture of disease germs. So much for the 
hygienic conditions of the place. 

Diseases. I regret that I am unable to give the exact number of those 
afflicted with each individual disease ; to ascertain this would have taken 
too much valuable time. We found it a difficult task even to make a true 
estimate of the number ill with acute diseases. Our first estimate sent you, 
viz: 1,400 dysentery and diarrhoea, 600 typhus fever, afterwards proved 
nearly correct, /. e. , if we take about 300 from the typhus and add to the 
dysentery. These were acute cases. Of the refugees, ninety-eight per 
cent, complained and were treated for diseases such as chronic dysentery , 
diarrhoea, dropsy (usually those recovering from typhus), rheumatism, 
bronchitis, dyspepsia, malaria ; all were suffering from anaemia and debility. 

Causes. Overcrowding and bad air ; but that condition bordering on 
starvation was the principal cause of all the sickness. I should add, many 
of the cases of diarrhoea were caused from eating a soup made from grass, 
weeds, buds and leaves of shrubs and trees. In fact anything green that 
could be gathered in the fields was boiled in water to which a small quan- 
tity of flour was added. This diet was especially dangerous to children. 

Treatment. We were soon convinced that if we expected to gain the 
upper hand of all this sickness and save even a remnant of the refugees, 
we must first feed the sick, and then when they were well — to give the 
former every possible chance to get well, and to prevent the well from 
becoming ill. Second, we must try in every way in our power to get the 
refugees to return to their homes, or at all events to camp out in the fields. 
The first day we filled the hospital opened by consul Barnum with cases 
off the street, and from that time on we increased hospital facilities as fast 
as possible. We engaged two men and one woman to care for the hospital ; 
four interpreters and one assistant for the pharmacist. We then divided 
the town into districts so as to systematically get at every sick person. 
Then we hired (for we could get nothing without a system of bargaining as 
to price) two large copper kettles used to make grape molasses, and pur- 
chased two hundred pounds of beef and made a strong, rich soup. We 
then strained every nerve to get a soup ticket into the possession of every 
sick person. We did not waste time by trying to cull out the impostors ; in 
fact there were very few of this class, a/l the refugees were needy and 
hungry. The second day we added three kettles, and to supply the number 
we served at 10 o'clock clear meat broth; at 4 o'clock thick soup of beef and 
rice. By the end of the third day every sick person was receiving food. 
Then all complaints of vomiting the medicine ceased. 

The problem then to be met was — how to get the people to go outside 
the town. We suggested that if they would, v/e would place a soup kettle 



REPORT OF DR. HARRIS. 95 

out in the open fields to the south, north and east, and in addition to the 
soup we would give them flour. This had a very decided effect, for 1,000 
went the first day. The moving continued until every person living on the 
streets and in cow stables had built for themselves shelters of twigs and 
leaves. Now the butchers saw a chance of applying the plan of putting up 
the price of meat from seven to fourteen piasters per oke (2^ lbs.). But 
we had anticipated this and sent men to a friendly Moslem village to pur- 
chase cattle. So their scheme failed. By the end of the second week there 
were no hungry people in Zeitoun. 

Results. The typhus cases began to recover, the new cases took on a 
mild form, the same could be said of dysentery. The new cases of both 
became less and less until they almost disappeared. The most marked im- 
provement was the rapidity which the daily funerals in the three burying 
grounds decreased. I watched these places with deep interest, for they 
were a thermometer to gauge the success of our work, and it was with deep 
gratitude to God that we saw the daily burials reduced from fifteen to 
none. So much for the acute cases. The first week the chronic cases took 
the entire time of one doctor, each taking our regular turn. Tonic treat- 
ment and food so reduced the number that sixty became the daily average 
at the end of the second week. At the end of the third week, fell to ten. 
Our pharmacist, Shickri Fakhuri, proved as he always has, a jewel. His 
hands were full to prepare the prescriptions of three doctors. At first it 
was necessary for one of us to give him assistance of an hour or so daily. 
On the 2oth of May, we felt we could leave the town free of acute typhus 
and dysentery. We gave to the committee selected by Mr. Macallum, 
funds enough to keep the soup kettles going for one week, and 200 liras 
($880) worth of flour, which would suffice for at least six weeks, and by that 
time it was hoped that all the refugees would have departed for their homes. 

On our return to Marash we remained four days superintending the work 
of relief of the native doctors, and performing surgical operations. We 
then started for the coast. We chose a shorter and less expensive route 
than that by which we came. We were able in several places on the road 
to give needed relief, although to a limited amount. The lessons learned 
by our experience have been many: 

ist. The value of keeping well, for obviously, success depends upon 
this. It is evident to us the way to reduce the danger of infection to a 
minimum for medical men, is to eat and sleep outside the infected town. 
This plan may present difficulties, but if possible, it is best. The dreadful 
mortality among doctors and nurses in the epidemics of typhus fever is 
well known. The query is, could not this mortality be reduced by the plan 
suggested ? It proved so in our case at least. 



g6 REPORT OF DR. HARRIS. 

2d. The food supply is of first importance, especially for epidemics 
caused by lacj^ of food. 

3d, The utter worthlessness of medication without it. 

4th. Pure air. It is much better for people to risk possible exposure out 
in the open air, than risk contagion in vile unwholesome shelter in an over- 
crowded town. 

Lastly, I am more than ever convinced that small doses of medicine oft 
repeated give better results in typhus and dysentery than those usually 
recommended in text books. I, at least, had ample opportunity to test 
this to my satisfaction. 

In conclusion, I wish to express my hearty approval of the methods pur- 
sued by yourself and associates, especially as applied to the giving relief to 
the suffering people. The distribution of your forces was admirable, and 
the way they grasped the situation and the needs of the people of each 
particular place should excite the admiration of all who have the relief of 
this afflicted people at heart. Instead of scattering the money here and 
there in an aimless way, food, medical and surgical supplies, clothing, seed, 
cattle, farming utensils, simple cooking vessels, were systematically dis- 
tributed, thus putting all in the way of providing for themselves in the 
future and becoming independent again. It is very easy to pauperize the 
people of the Orient, but your methods prevent this. 

Again, the non-sectarian aspect of your work has made a favorable im- 
pression. It eliminates all religious prejudices from the minds of all, 
especially the religious heads. Therefore no ungenerous remarks as to the 
ulterior motives of your relief. On the contrary we heard nothing but 
words of commendation. 

No one but yourself and your associates and those who have lived in 
Turkey for a number of years, can appreciate the difficulties and perplex- 
ities under which you have labored from the very first. 

I am sorry that this report ends my official relations with you, but believe 
me, dear Miss Barton, my wife and I shall hold yourself and your associates 
always in interested remembrance. 

Truly and sincerely yours, 

Ira Harris. 

T^ula, Mt. Lebanon, August 75, i8g6. 





ARMENIAN VILLAGE OF OULASCH, NEAR SIVAS. 




■f'S^sr^"^ '^5^'^T'' 




MARASH. 



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i':!^;«*ftiy|stei: 



EGIN, THE HILLSIDE COVERED WITH MULBERRY TREES. 




KOURDISH MOUNTAIN VILLAGE. 



RELIEF FIELD TELEGRAMS AND REPLIES, 



WITH OTHER MATTER. 



[original.] 



[translation.] 



5 ,...<-.*-*-c-i^ ^^iZ^uLx^ <:^<a^j 







MMMtk^ ^CK^ ca-^c^ ,a^^ /^--«^ Un^^d .-c-c--;*^ :^^.^ /kxyt£tf 




o>~^~«-t- ^-Ct. 



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HEADING USED ON ALL TURKISH TELEGRAMS. 



TELEGRAMS. 



To afEord a comprehensive idea of the methods employed in 
carrying on our work in Asia Minor, we give a transcript of the 
the telegrams sent and received while our expeditions were in 
the field. 

As all or nearly all messages were in Turkish or Arabic, the 
translations were, at times, very dissimilar to the original 
telegrams. 

We give a fac-simile on the opposite page of an ordinary 
message, with the translation. As interpreters were some- 
times difficult to find, one can readily imagine a small disad- 
vantage in working among strange people with a strange 
language. 

Of the hundred or thereabouts of cablegrams connected with 
the work, received from and sent to America, no mention is 
made at the present time. 



lOO TELEGRAMS. 

Constantinople, March 8, i8g6. 
Barton (S. E.), New York. 

Shipped large quantities supplies via Alexandretta, caravan, interior, 
yesterday. Sent funds to Harpoot, Sivas, Marash. Pressing needs 
increasing, wire all parties. Barton. 

(This cablegram is given to show the starting of the expeditions. Between this and 
the next dispatch of the 20th, from Dr. Hubbell at Alexandretta, two shipments were 
made and the second expedition formed and left.) 



Alexandretta, March 20, 1896. 
Barton, care American Legation, Constantinople. 
Arrived safely. We and goods expect to go forward. 

Hubbell. 

Constantinople, March 20, 1896. 
Hubbell, Alexandretta, Syria. 

Greetings. Wistar's party sailed yesterday. All well except Mrs Mason. 
Telegraph your needs. Barton. 

Marash, March 20, 1896. 
Miss Barton, Constantinople. 

As at Marash and Zeitoun fatal diseases of dysentery and are 

raging, we are requesting from Beyrout six physicians and two apotheca- 
ries, with medicines and necessary appurtenances. Can you defray the 
expenses? Lee, Macallum, Shepard. 

(Received March 23. This dispatch being in Turkish the names of the other diseases 
given could not be made out.) 

Constantinople, March 24, 1896. 
Lee, Marash. 

I will gladly defray expenses if within our means. Approximate smallest 
amount required. Barton. 

Constantinople, March 25, 1896. 
Dr. J. B. Hubbell, Alexandretta, Syria, care Daniel Walker (consular agt.) 
Mrs. Mason died peacefully at three this morning. We will carry out 
Ernest's wishes if possible. Wire suggestions or advice. Have cabled 
SatoUi. Barton. 

Alexandretta, March 28, 1896. 
Clara Barton, American Legation, Constantinople. 

Wistar's party here. We all start Aintab to-morrow in company with 
Doctor Fuller. The goods were sent Monday. 

Hubbell. 



TELEGRAMS. lOI 

Marash, March 30, 1896. 
Clara Barton, Constantinople. 
Physicians for four hundred liras, Turkish, necessary. 

Lee. 



Beyrout, March 30, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

Ready. Cannot send expedition until I receive credit two hundred 
pounds. Post. 

Constantinople, March 30, 1896. 
Dr. George E. Post, Beyrout. 

Have just telegraphed you two hundred liras Ottoman bank. Wire when 
physicians leave. Please write particulars. 

Barton. 

Constantinople, March 30, 1896. 
Lee, American, Marash. 

Your telegram received. Will pay four hundred liras if necessary. Have 
cabled Dr. Post two hundred liras. Courage. Physicians start Marash 
immediately. Barton. 

Constantinople, March 30, 1896. 
HuBBELL, care Dr. Fuller, Aintab. 

Six physicians, two apothecaries with supplies leave Beyrout for Marash, 
probably to-day, our expense. Typhus, small-pox, dysentery, epidemic 
there. Yourself and men forbidden to enter into contagion. You are 
needed outside to supply those who must be there. Answer quick. 

Barton. 

Constantinople, March 31, 1896. 
HuBBELL, American, Aintab. 

Send two-thirds caravan to Lee, Marash, at once. Confer with Shepard 
concerning Marash, if at Aintab. Push on to Harpoot. Orders issued fur- 
nishing every facility for distribution. Success depends on prompt action. 
We ship more goods next steamer. Barton. 



Constantinople, April 3, 1896. 
Dr. Fuller, Aintab. 

Where are our men ? Why don't they report ? Answer paid. 

Barton. 



I02 TELEGRAMS. 

Constantinople, April 3, 1896. 
Daniel Walker, Alexandretta. 
Where are our men ? Did they leave with Fuller ? When ? Answer. 

Barton. 

(Just in this interval, between Alexandretta and Aintab, had occurred the massacre 
at Killis, which news, together with the inquiries of the government for the routes 
taken was giving us great anxiety.) 



Constantinople, April 3, 1886. 
Dr. Post, Beyrout. 

Cabled you two hundred liras, thirtieth, no word. Where are physicians? 
Wait for nothing, wrote you yesterday. Barton. 



Constantinople, April 3, 1896. 
Dr. Shepard, Aintab. 

Have ordered and paid for eight physicians to Marash. Have they 
reported ? Where are our men ? If at Aintab please send some of them to 
Marash with supplies at once. Answer paid. Barton. 



Constantinople, April 4, 1896. 
Lee, American, Marash. 

What goods and in what quantity do you most need ? We will send them 
if possible. Barton. 

(This telegram was answered by letter and goods sent.) 



Aintab, April 4, 1896. 

Barton, Constantinople. 

We arrived on Wednesday. The authorities gave us a splendid reception. 

We have received your telegram. We are sending goods to Marash. We 

will be on the twenty-fifth at Harpoot, and by way of Oorfa, Diarbekir, 

Marash. We will start for Malatia. Hubbell. 

(It was sometimes impossible to get a really sensible translation. The above is a 
specimen.) 

Alexandretta, April 6, 1896. 
Miss Barton, through Am. Bible House. 

Your men left with Fuller on twenty-eighth. Walker. 



Beyrout, April 6, 1896. 
Barton, through Am. Embassy. 

Doctors sailed Friday. Posi. 



TELEGRAMS. I03 

Constantinople, April 8, i8g6. 
Lee, American, Marash. 
Doctors left Friday. What is present condition epidemics ? 

Barton. 

Constantinople, April 8, 1896. 
HuBBELL, care Dr- Fuller, Aintab. 

Telegram received. Good. So glad. Will ship more goods next steamer. 
Doctors gone to Marash. Telegraph me every opportunity, both caravans ; 
keep us informed of all, we need it. Let us know your wants. (Will Dr. 
Fuller please forward ?) Barton. 

Constantinople, April 9, 1896. 
Dr. Post, Beyrout. 

We cabled money thirtieth ; will mail the other two hundred when you 
desire. Glad doctors have sailed. Please wire arrival. Many thanks. 

Clara Barton. 

Marash, April 10, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 
The sickness is continuing to increase. Lee. 



Beyrout, April 10, 1896. 
Barton. 
Two more doctors willing, shall I send them ? Post. 



Constantinople, April 11, 1896. 
Post, Beyrout. 
Send physicians by all means. Will send Ltq. 220 by post to-day. 

Barton. 

Oorfa, April 11, 1896. 
Arrived at Oorfa all right. How much money can you send ? 

WiSTAR. 

Adana, April 11, 1896. 
Clara Barton, Constantinople. 

Our party of physicians from Beyrout detained here, unable to obtain 
escort. Harris. 

Constantinople, April, 11, 1896. 
Dr. Ira Harris, Adana. 

Turkish Foreigh Minister just ordered escort for you. Please let me 
know if you do not go on at once. Clara Barton. 



I04 TELEGRAMS. 

Constantinople, April ii, 1896. 
Lee, American, Marash. 

Thanks for dispatch. Two more physicians ordered from Beyrout. 
Telegraph conditions often and fully. Will refund all expenses. 

Barton. 

(To insure greater security in transmission of messages the word " American " was 
placed after the name of person addressed.) 



Constantinople, April 11, 1896. 
WisTAR, American, Oorfa. 

Telegram received. Very glad. Wire fully all conditions. Send two 
hundred liras Oorfa next week. Answer ; fifteen words paid. 

Barton. 



Marash, April 12, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

When may we expect doctors here and in the villages ? Help is needed 
in Zeitoun. Three thousand sick and only one doctor. The English consul 
is ill with typhus. We may hire a doctor from here. All well. 

HUBBELL. 

(Dr. Hubbell's notes leaving Aintab on the fifth say : "Three days through rain and 
snow brought us to Marash," where he waited the arrival of Dr. Harris.) 



Beyrout, April 12, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

Please telegraph second two hundred pounds ; have already distributed 
seventy. Remainder sum nearly due. Post. 



Constantinople, April 14, 1896. 
Dr. Post. Beyrout. 

Freyer, American Press, will hand you two hundred sterling. Hope the 
doctors will leave at once. Great need in Zeitoun. Barton. 



Constantinople, April 13, 1896. 
WiSTAR, American, Oorfa. 

Takes twenty-four days to send money Oorfa. Shall we send you there or 
Harpoot. Answer quick. Barton. 




DISTRIBUTING SPINNING WHEELS AT ARABKIR. 



jsi>'i:;-? 




AINTAB. 









CONSTANTINOPLE DOGS. 




SECTION OF THE OUTER WALL. 



TELEGRAMS. 105 

Constantinople, April 14, 1896. 
HuBBELL, American, Marash. 

Dispatch received. Have sent you money to Harpoot. It will take 
twenty days to send money to Marash. Shall we send it ? Doctors are due 
there now with medicines. Your party must not remain in contagion. 
Leave soon as doctors arrive ; be careful. All well. Barton. 



Marash, April 14, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

The shops are open here, and money can be used in the purchase of 
farming implements and other goods. Sickness at Zeitoun increasing ; 
forty or fifty dying there every day. It would be well if you can send 
medicines quickly. The general conditions in Marash about the same. I 
want money for Harpoot. Hubbell. 



Constantinople, April 15, 1896. 
Post, Beyrout. 

Can you purchase large medical supplies and send Marash with doctors ? 
News just reaches us from our own men of terrible condition of epidemic- 
stricken people. Please send all doctors possible. Draw on us for money 
required. Barton. 

Constantinople, April 15, 1896. 
Dr. Washburn, Beyrout. 

Please strengthen Dr. Post's efforts in sending doctors and medical sup- 
plies to Marash and Zeitoun. We gladly bear all expense. Our men are 
there. 

(Dr. Washburn, president of Robert College, was in Beyrout at this time on business.) 



Oorfa, April 15, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

Though delayed, we are received with love everywhere. Distributions 
at Aintab and Oorfa are going on. Money is sufficient. We shall go to 
Diarbekir. Wistar. 

Oorfa, April 16, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

Having no vize from Aintab, we are delayed here. We are looking since 
four days for the Consul's reply. What are your orders ? 

Wistar. 
(Owing to neglect on the part of the dragoman the passports were not regular.) 



Io6 TELEGRAMS. 

Marash, April i6, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

Harris left Adana. The letters have arrived. Goods are coming. Suc- 
ceeded in hiring doctor for Marash. Have written. Hubbell. 



Constantinople, April 17, 1896. 
Hubbell, American, Marash. 

One thousand liras for you enroute Harpoot. Five hundred to Macal- 
lum, Marash, for you or for the relief committee if you have gone. Borrow 
from Macallum, if necessary, for your journey. Would advise Harpoot 
before Malatia unless you have money and supplies with you. Leave 
Marash soon as doctors arrive. Be careful, keep well. All right here, but 
very busy. Shall we still ship supplies, if so, what ? 

Barton. 



Constantinople, April 17, 1896. 
WisTAR, American, Oorfa. 

Sent two hundred liras to Shattuck for you yesterday, but don't wait for 
it ; Shattuck can use it. Sent five hundred liras to-day for you to Barnum, 
Harpoot. Very thankful you are doing such splendid work. Keep strong 
and be careful ; all well here. Your letters forwarded to Harpoot. 

Barton. 



Oorfa, April 19, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

The instructions in your ^yesterday's telegram accepted. Your telegram 
of previous date remains non-translatable. Wistar. 

(Some telegrams sent and received required days to decipher.) 



Marash, April 19, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

Your telegram received, also the five hundred liras. Would suggest as 
much more for tools. Harris' party arrived yesterday. We start this 
morning for Malatia. Typhus is increasing here. We are well. 

Hubbell. 



Oorfa, April 20, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

Our teskeres have been vized. We will be in Harpoot by the thirtieth of 
April. Wistar. 



TELEGRAMS. I07 

Constantinople, April 21, 1896. 
Dr. Geo. Post, Beyrout. 

Letter received ; many thanks. Agree with you ' ' no better work than 
ours possible for suffering humanity irrespective of religious preferences," 
Cabled you credit two hundred liras to-day. Can you care for medical 
supplies ? Can you find more physicians ? Have the two started ? Shall 
we send money to Harris ? Can we purchase drugs better here ? If so, 
what kinds ? Barton. 

Constantinople, April 21, i8g6. 
Dr. Harris, Marash. 

Rejoiced to learn your arrival. Know you and your corps will attend 
every detail, refusing assistance to none, whatever his religion or race. 
How can we best assist your noble work ? Please send very frequent 
reports — daily, if practicable. How many sick? What diseases? What 
proportion are women? About Zeitoun: Can you attend that city? Where 
can we obtain more doctors for you ? Besides telegraphing reports please 
write fully your findings at beginning of your work. Classify diseases and 
and people. Tell us your needs. Barton. 



Marash, April 22, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

Been having sharp attack malarial fever. All doctors have left for 
Zeitoun. Many sick. Will try and go with party to-morrow. Impossible 
to get more doctors. I post letter to-day. Harris. 



Beyrout, April 24, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

Cable received but no money. In need of funds. Will forward supplies. 
Am doing all I can. Post. 

(Money was sent on 21st but bank did not notify him as usual.) 



Constantinople, April 24, 1896. 
Post, Beyrout. 

Apply Ottoman bank for remittance sent twenty-first, two hundred 
sterling. Pullman. 

Marash, April 24, 1896. 

Barton, Constantinople. 

Party start for Zeitoun to-day. 

Harris. 



Io8 TELEGRAMS. 

Diarbekir, April 25, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 
All well. Vali cordial. Harpoot Wednesday. 

WlSTAR. 

Malatia, April 27, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 
Will leave for Harpoot to-morrow. All well. Hubbell. 



Constantinople, April 28, 1896. 
Dr. Harris, Marash. 

Can send three or four Greek doctors from here, well recommended. 
Shall we send them ? Many thanks for dispatch. How is Zeitoun ? America 
intensely interested in your work. How can we further serve you ? 

Barton. 



Oorfa, April 29, 1896 
Barton, Constantinople. 
Remittance by pony post is just received. Many thanks. 

Shattuck. 

Aintab, April 29, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

Typhus and dysentery are raging at Arabkir. The people are in great 
poverty and the deaths are numerous. Can you send doctors and medi- 
cines ? Shepard. 

Constantinople, May i, 1896. 
Shepard, American, Aintab. 
We are trying to secure doctors and medicines for Arabkir. 

Barton. 



Zeitoun, May i, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 
We are in need of more doctors, Harris. 



Constantinople, May i, 1896. 
Hubbell, American, Harpoot. 

Typhus and dysentery raging at Arabkir. Can you send doctors with 
medicines from Harpoot ? Can you investigate condition of people there 
without exposing yourself to contagion ? Wherever seed is required ask 
for it of the Turkish Governor ; if he cannot furnish it let me know. If you 



TELEGRAMS. 109 

find places where the people are afraid to go to their fields to cultivate 
them, report such places ,to me and measures will be taken here accord- 
ingly. Barton. 

(The above instructions had been just received, by me from the Sublime Porte and in 
all subsequent work were carried out in full.) 



Marash, May 3, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 
Five hundred pounds received by pony post ; we are grateful. 

Macallum. 

(The first five hundred pounds sent Harpoot by pony post was acknowledged by Rev. 
Dr. Barnum by letter.) 



Harpoot, May 4, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

All arrived here Wednesday. Harpoot district including three hundred 
towns and villages in need of much help. Strong desire for us to remain 
some weeks here in special work of tools, animals, seeds, shelter and medi- 
cal relief. Friends here assisting. Advise please. All well. 

HUBBELL. 

Constantinople, May 5, 1896. 
HuBBELL, American, Harpoot. 

Telegram received. Very glad. Remain in Harpoot as long as neces- 
sary. Wired you Harpoot, May first, concerning sickness in Arabkir ; find 
and answer please. Do you or Wistar need more money now ? Report 
frequently ; daily if possible. Much gratified at your line of work. Have 
cabled your telegram to America. Barton. 



Zeitoun, May 6, 1896. 

Barton, Constantinople. 

We reached here yesterday. The number of refugees is seven thousand, 

more than half of them are women. Fourteen hundred suffering with 

and dysentery ; six hundred have typhus. There are many strangers. I 

need one hundred liras (?) at once. The hospital work will increase. We 

will remain here for the present. Harris. 

(This telegram was in Arabic and required two days to get even a passable transla_ 
tion.) 



Constantinople, May 8, 1896. 
Harris, American, Zeitoun. 

Telegram received. Please do not send in Arabic characters ; great diffi- 
culty in translating. Have arranged with Peet for Macallum to draw two 
hundred liras for you at once. Five doctors start for Marash next Monday. 



no TELEGRAMS. 



Will report to you for duty. Shall we send medical supplies with them ? if so 
wire kind and quantity. Beautiful letter just received from your wife. 
Will the five doctors we send be enough for you ? We are grateful to you 
for your heroic efforts. Barton. 



Harpoot, May 7, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

Wood with assistants goes to Palou district. Wistar with Michael to 
Tcharsandjak district. A doctor with medicines, Miss Bush, dragoman, 
Mason, and I to Arabkir. Will need more funds. Wire amount we can have. 
We buy seed, work cattle, tools, timber for shelter. Conditions for working in 
fields improving. Hubbell. 

(The instructions had taken effect.) 



Constantinople, May 7, 1896. 
Hubbell, American, Harpoot. 

Telegram received. Splendid \ Excellent arrangement. So thankful 
to you all. Have arranged with Peet. Draw fifteen hundred liras from 
Barnum. We sent one thousand liras in two groups, gold, to Barnum for 
you and Wistar April 20. Have you received it ? if so, acknowledge by 
wire ; anxious. We send five doctors to Harris. Your letters received. 

Barton. 

(It became possible for us to transact our money business with the interior by draft 
at this time. The drafts were sold to merchants. No banks in the interior, all were 
destroyed.) 



Zeitoun, May 12, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

We are very thankful for the money you sent. By our giving food to the 
famishing sick the sickness is diminishing. Harris. 



Harpoot, May 13, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

Three expeditions started as planned. Hubbell' s party left for Arabkir 
to-day. Fifteen hundred liras received by pony post to-day. All well. 

Gates. 



Palou, May 13, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

We have arrived here and been well received by the Kami-kam. 

Wood. 



TELEGRAMS. Ill 

Tcharsandjak, May 15, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

We had a good reception from the authorities. It is difficult for the 
industrial instruments (?). They have to be examined from Harpoot. 
There are plenty of provisions. The country is pretty vast. 

WiSTAR. 

(On receipt of this dispatch the amusing fact occurred to us, viz.: that our great quan- 
tities of farming implements in transport to the villages being of iron, were mistaken 
by the village authorities for arms, which we might be furnishing to the Armenians, 
and hence delay, and great caution were required. This idea was exploded by the gov- 
ernment and the officials instructed that they might trust whatever we furnished 
There were no obstructions after this.) 



Constantinople, May 16, 1896. 
Harris, American, Zeitoun. 

Four doctors have sailed. They have medicines, nourishing food, dis- 
infecting machines. Ordered to go wherever needed. Much sickness 
reported north of you. Barton. 

Tcharsandjak, May 17, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

We are distributing two thousand suits clothing, eight hundred bushels 
seed, also tools and oxen. Wistar. 

Palou, May 18, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

In forty villages they need one thousand oxen, which will cost twenty- 
five hundred liras. Wood. 



Arabkir, May 18, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

Since three days we are attending with our doctors and their attendants 
to one hundred sick per day. The contagious fever, typhus, is diminishing. 
Miss Bush and all the party are distributing clothing and bedding. Our drago- 
man is giving implements and seed to the farmers. The needs here are 
extreme. Wistar' s party is in Peri. Wood with his men is working 
in the district of Palou. Hubbell. 

Constantinople, May 20, 1896. 
Wood, American, Palou. 

Investigate and get all information necessary. Do not purchase in large 
quantities until you hear further from me. Thanks for such splendid work. 
Take receipts for all purchases. Barton. 



112 TELEGRAMS. 

Constantinople, May 20, 1896. 
Harris, Zeitoun. 

Your letter just received. Have Macallum draw two hundred liras for 
the sick. Please "keep the pot boiling." Barton. 



Constantinople, May 20, 1896. 
Walker, Alexandretta. 

Cabled you credit Aleppo ;^5o (liras) to-day. Please give amount to our 
physicians who will arrive in a few days. Barton. 



Palou, May 21, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

Ten women, eleven men, working daily at headquarters. Nine hundred 
pieces clothing, two hundred mattress covers. Much silk is being woven. 
The implements of the villagers are made by blacksmiths. Our work is 
progressing rapidly. The need of oxen for the villagers is announced from 
every part. Wood. 

Harpoot, May 24, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

Arrived to-day. Hubbell telegraphed you from Arabkir. i6th, relief 
proceeding satisfactorily. 17th. wired, obstructions ; no reply. Kaimi-kanj 
(governor) at Arabkir, prohibits all intercourse with sick, so we can do 
nothing for them. He declares no help needed in Arabkir or vicinity. 

Mason. 

(This matter was at once taken to the Porte, and an order from the Porte sent same 
day to the governor at Arabkir, which had desired effect instantly.) 



Constantinople, May 24, 1896. 
Hubbell, American, Harpoot. 

Wood wants cattle ; can you instruct him regarding purchase ? We can 
afford two yoke of oxen for each village where necessary. All cattle and 
tools should be branded or stamped to be owned by us. So glad of your 
excellent work. Mason's wire here. Porte has ordered all obstructions 
removed at Arabkir. Will take up Palou with Porte to-morrow. 

Barton. 

Constantinople, May 24, 1896. 
Wood, American, Palou. 

Can you confer with Hubbell ? We can afford two yoke oxen each village, 
where necessary. Each animal should be branded B. or C. B. All tools 
stamped with steel die. We must own these things to save them. Take 




A COFFEE HOUSE IN PERA. 




GROUP OF HAMMALS, SHOWING MANNER OF CARRYING 
HEAVY MERCHANDISE. 




SECTION OF TURKISH CEMETERY AT SCUTARI. 








A HAMMAL. 



PLANE TREE OF THE JANIZARIES, STAMBOUL. 



TELEGRAMS. II3 

full receipts. Can your blacksmiths make steel dies and branding irons ? 

So glad of your excellent work. Barton. 

(As we could not brand or stamp with a cross, or U. S., it was decided to use B. or C 
B., to enable us to trace the relief property in case of robbery or theft.) 



Constantinople, May 24, 1896. 
WisTAR, Tcharsandjak. 

Thanks for excellent letter. Splendid work. Let us know your needs. 
Can afford two yoke oxen each village where necessary. All cattle should 
be branded B. or C. B. ; all tools stamped same. Can your blacksmiths 
make steel dies and branding irons ? Barton, 



Marash, May 25, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

Start Monday for Alexandretta. Am advising with local doctors here. 
Feeding the sick and poor soon end the typhus and dysentery. Contagion 
stamped out. Harris. 

Constantinople, May 26, 1896. 
HuBBELL, American, Arabkir. 

Wired you Harpoot yesterday. Porte has ordered every facility given 
your work. Wire of any hindrance you meet anywhere. Thankful for 
your splendid work and your continued health. Barton. 



Constantinople, May 27, 1896. 
Wood, Palou. 

Can you distribute eighty yoke oxen to advantage ? Can you purchase 
them there? At what cost? Barton. 



Harpoot, May 29, 1S96. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

Greatest need of oxen ; farmers cannot recover without them. Ground 
must be plowed for fall sowing within twenty days before it dries. Two 
yoke barely sufficient for two farms. Wood's request moderate. 

Gates. 



Tcharsandjak, June i, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

Leave to-day for Harpoot via Palou. Wistar. 



114 TELEGRAMS. 

Arabkir, May 30, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

Our doctors have attended one thousand sick ; one death. We will leave 
Dr. Hintlian here and we will go next week to Egin and Aghin villages. 
The local authorities help us on every occasion. We are well. 

HUBBELL. 

Alexandretta, June i, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

Off for Tripoli. Doctors returning. Seventy-five pounds handed to 
Padre for Aintab artisans as you requested. Thanks for good news. 

Harris. 

Constantinople, June 2, 1896. 
HuBBELL, American, Arabkir. 

Very glad authorities assisting so well. Just wired Gates five thousand 

liras for all expeditions. Gates wires that cattle must be bought at once to 

be of use. Think Wistar is with Wood at Palou to-day. He will leave 

field soon. Met Wheeler and Ellis to-day. Splendid report of your work. 

Barton. 

(Dr. Wheeler will be everywhere recognized as the founder and first president of 

Harpoot College. He lived to see eight of the twelve college buildings go up in flames, 

and broken with paralysis, a helpless, suffering invalid, he had reached Constantinople 

en his way back to his own country to die. His death took place in August at his home 

in Auburndale, Mass.) 

" For the stores of knowledge brought us. 
For the charm thy goodness gave. 
For the lessons thou hast taught us. 
Can we give thee but a grave ? " 



Constantinople, June 3, 1S96. 
Gates, American, "Harpoot. 

Deposited five thousand liras with Peet for you to draw for my men. 
This makes over forty-three thousand dollars sent Harpoot. Only small 
balance left for rest of field. Very grateful for all your kindness. 

Barton. 

Constantinople, June 2, 1896. 
Wood, American, Palou. 

Just wired Gates credit Ltq. 5,000 for all the expenditures. This makes 

over $43,000 sent Harpoot. You must all use to the best advantage. Use 

some in Diarbekir province if possible. Brand your cattle and stamp your 

tools. Wistar wires that he goes to Harpoot via Palou; confer 

together and wire me your plans distinctly. If Wistar must go to London, 

cannot you remain ? Hard to spare you both just now. Hubbell goes to 

Egin this week. Barton. 



TELEGRAMS. II5 

Constantinople, June 2, 1896. 
FoNTANA, British Consul, Harpoot. 

Several days ago Porte, at my request, ordered local authorities at 
Arabkir and Palou to instantly remove all obstructions to the work. Are 
my men now meeting difficulties anywhere ? If so, I will again notify the 
Porte. May I ask you to consult Gates. Very thankful for your efficient 
aid to our expeditions. Barton. 



Harpoot, June 6, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

Your agents now meeting no difficulties whatever. Am most happy to 
assist your wonderfully successful work. 

FONTANA. 



Palou, June 6, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

Wistar left before your telegram arrived. I will remain. The list of the 
needy has been made with great care. The recent relief distributed to the 
poor is as follows ; Twelve hundred suits clothing, sixty-five thousand 
piasters in money, and one thousand pieces bed clothing ; seven hundred 
sets tools have been made by blacksmiths ; fifteen thousand persons in dis- 
trict. We will remain here ten days, more. One thousand liras is needed 
in Silouan ; the destitution there in proportion is very great. 

Wood. 



Marash, June 6, i8g6. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

Your last remittance, two hundred liras, practically cured the sick, whose 
number is now small. Have spent nearly all the tool money. People are 
prayerfully grateful to you. Need of tools, animals and food very pressing. 
Four thousand liras would enable us to help every family to some extent. 
Farmers who have implements are working their fields as much as they 
can without animals. Have written particulars. 

Macallum. 



Constantinople, June 7, 1896. 
Gates, American, Harpoot. 

The five thousand liras sent you for my men was for work cattle, tools 
and seed as asked for, and for no other purpose. Please so instruct. Is 
Wistar coming out now ? Kindly send following to Hubbell. Don't know 
his address. 



Il6 ' TELEGRAMS. 



HuBBELL, Aroerican, 



The five thousand lira.s sent Gates is all the money there is to finish the 
field. It is to be used only for work cattle, seed and tools, none for gen- 
eral distribution. Finish your work and return here as near July first as 
possible. Wood must draw one thousand liras for Diarbekir Vilayet. 
Please go to Harpoot and take charge of cattle distribution ; this is your 
specialty. This will enable Wood to go to Farkin at once. In that way 
you can finish together. Answer on receipt of this. 

Barton. 



Constantinople, June 8, 1896. 
Wood, American, Palou. 

Your telegram received. The money sent was for oxen, tools, and seed, 
as asked for. Against orders, and dangerous to. distribute money. The 
five thousand liras sent Gates for all expeditions must be divided so as to 
finish the work there. We have no more funds to send. Draw one thous- 
and liras from the five thousand, to finish your work in Diarbekir. Use it 
with all expedition and report at Constantinople as near July first as 
possible. Barton. 

(We had ordered that no Red Cross cash should be distributed. Wood had been 
giving out a small amount of missionary money at the special request of Dr. Gates, 
which we knew nothing of at the time. We heartily approved his course when we 
learned the facts.) 



Arabkir, June 10, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

Wood has received your telegram ; he will go to Diarbekir next week. 
Wistar is in Harpoot. Our dragoman is buying cattle in Arabkir. We 
return to Harpoot in ten days, afterwards will go to Malatia. Typhus is 
diminishing from day to day. All well. Hubbell. 



Constantinople, June 10, 1896. 
Gates, American, Harpoot. 

Wood's letter just received. Explains money distribution in Palou. 
Very wise. Exceeding glad he could help you. Feared it was our special 
seed, tool and cattle fund, already too small. Please send following tele- 
gram to Wood : 

Wood, American, . 



Report of your splendid work just received by mail. We are grateful to 
you for your heroic efforts. Did not understand about money distribution. 
It is all right. Keep well. Barton. 



TELEGRAMS. 1 1? 

Constantinople, June ii, 1896. 
HuBBELL, American, Arabkir. 

Telegram received. Plans good; all the work excellent; Wood doing 
grandly. Your dispatch of i6th came late. Porte took official action 
promptly. Your "notes" here. All well. Barton. 



Constantinople, June 12, 1896. 
Macallum, American, Marash. 

Your dispatch and letter of the situation there, received. Our little 
balance can only be used for cattle, tools, seed. Draw for fifteen hundred 
liras— every lira we can possibly spare now. We regret it is beyond our 
power to send the four thousand desired, for we well know the need there 

and what excellent work has been done with so little. 

Barton. 



Palou, June 19, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

You misunderstood my telegram. The 65,000 piasters was missionary 
money which could be distributed in no other way. We are distributing 
in the villages only tools, clothing, bedding, cattle, and grain. Cannot 
finish distributions here and Diarbekir by July first. Silouan is seven days 
from here. Your telegram of May 15 is just received. Our work is pro- 
gressing well. Wood. 



Constantinople, June 20, 1896. 

Gates, Harpoot. 

Telegraphed you to draw 5,000 liras which we deposited with Peet, June 
2. Have you drawn it ? Do our men know about the amount ? Are they 
using it? Answer. ' Barton. 



Constantinople, June 20, 1896. 
Macallum, American, Marash. 

Wired you June 12 to draw fifteen hundred liras for seed, cattle, tools. 
Have you done so ? Answer. Barton. 



Harpoot, June 21, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

Wistar will finish his distribution of cattle and tools next week. Wood 
started Farkin to-day. Our dragoman still buying cattle. Hintlian with sick 
in Arabkir. Bush goes Malatia with us next week. Good work, all well. 

HUBBELL. 



Il8 TELEGRAMS. 

Harpoot, June 23, 1896. 

Barton, Constantinople. 

Your men are using the money and working splendidly. 

Gates. 

Marash, Jtme 23, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

Money received ; many thanks. Macallum left Wednesday for Zeitoun 
and surrounding villages. Mrs. Henriette Macallam. 



Constantinople, June 24, 1896. 
Macallum, American, Marash. 

Telegram received. Draw five hundred liras more for cattle, tools, 
seed. Barton. 

(Additional sums of money had been received from America since we sent the 5,000 
liras to Harpoot, which enabled us to finish the field to better advantage.) 



Harpoot, June 27, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

Hubbell's party started for Constantinople to-day. Wistar and Wood go 
after a week. Fontana. 



Silouan, June 27, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

Have arrived at Parkin ; fourteen hundred sets tools are enroute here 
from Diarbekir. The Turkish officials are giving us great assistance, and 
are in no way interfering. Leave for Harpoot in three days. 

Wood. 



Harpoot, July 3, 1896. 
Barton, Constantinople. 

Wood and I start for Constantinople. Please notify my wife by wire. 

Wistar. 

(Dr. Hubbell and men arrived in Constantinople July 16. Mr. Wistar and Mr. Wood 
on the 20th of same month.) 



I need not attempt to say with what gratitude I welcomed 
back these weary, brown-faced men and officers from a field at 
once so difficult and so perilous, and none the less did the grati- 
tude of my heart go out to my faithful and capable Secretary 
Pullman, who had toiled early and late, never leaving for a day. 



TELEGRAMS. 119 

till the face grew thin and the eyes hollow, striving with tender 
heart that all should go well, and "The children might be fed. " 
And when the first greetings were over, and the first meal 
partaken, the full chorus of manly voices: "Home Again," 
"Sweet Land of Liberty," "Nearer My God to Thee," tha^ 
rolled out through the open windows of the Red Cross head- 
quarters in Constantinople, fell on the listening ears of Christian 
and Moslem alike, and though the tones were new and strange 
all felt that to someone, somewhere, they meant more than 
mere notes of music. 



RED CROSS PRINCIPLES. 



Owing to the importance of the subject, it has been decided 
to place the subjoined statement on a page by itself, rather than 
embody it in the continuous matter of the report. Evident 
confusion exists in the minds of our people in regard to' the 
methods of Red Cross relief. We desire to state so emphati- 
cally that those who run may read, that the American National 
Red Cross never appeals nor solicits aid for any purpose. 
It does not even adopt the customary and popular practice 
of raising money by entertainments, as teas, fairs, etc. We 
are from time to time made aware of the existence of such 
methods for raising money, apparently by the Red Cross. 
These are by outside societies or bodies using its unprotected 
name and insignia for local objects of their own, and to which 
object they are applied, never finding their way to the relief 
work of the National organization. 

It is a principle which we have always steadfastly maintained 
that charity and beneficence were degraded by being reduced to a 
dependence upon a system of beggary. This principle we have 
not only openly advocated but rigidly carried out in practice. 

Some readers may recall an article appearing in the New 
York Tribune of May, 1896, from which we make the following 
brief extract : 

" A moment's reflection will be sufBcient to recall to your 
readers the fact that in all the fourteen years of the existence of 
the Red Cross in America, and on almost a score of fields where it 
has administered relief, they have never been appealed to by it 



RED CROSS PRINCIPLES. 121 

for contributions. Its first and strong principles are, never to ask 
for help. Its method is to go instantly, with its own funds, to 
a field of reported disaster, simply giving notice of the fact that 
it goes, investigate, and on learning the situation, faithfully 
report the same to the people through all public channels, and 
private sources as well. This information, which can be thor- 
oughly relied upon, has always been held sufficient. 

" It takes the ground that the American people, intelligent, 
humane and liberal, require only to be assured of a real need, 
and shown an avenue by which it can be reached with relief, to 
call from them the proper action ; they are as humane as our- 
selves, and need no appeal for generosity from us. The Red 
Cross will continue to state conditions plainly, but claims no 
monopoly of charity." 



IN MEMORIAM. 

It was, perhaps, largely the tender mother love for her son, 
Ernest, that moved Mrs. Emma Mason, at almost the last day, 
to accompany us. The family had lived much abroad in Orien- 
tal countries, were familiar with several of the languages, and 
the young son was engaged by us as linguist. 

The mother's object was to reach Italy as a favorite residence. 
She had just recovered from a severe illness in Washington. 
In London a severe cough attacked her, which increased as time 
wore on. After a few days of active life in Constantinople, she 
was reduced to her bed. The best medical skill of the city, 
both English and Italian was secured. One disease developed 
another, until it was needful to remove her to the Italian hospi- 
tal for closer attention than could be given at home. Some 
of us were with her every day. She remained cheerful and 
hopeful till the last and left us on the night of the 24th of 
March. 

Every attention was bestowed by the officers of the Legation 
and Consulate-General, and it was a little official cortege of 
sympathizing American hearts that followed the peaceful re- 
mains, hidden under the lilies and violets of spring, to the 
beautiful Italian cemetery where they still repose. 

"A sweeter spirit ne'er drew breath, 
Than my son's wife Elizabeth." 



CONTENTS 



PAGE 
EXECUTIVE REPORT — MISS CLARA BARTON 3 

COMMENDATORY 38 

MARMARA 42 

FINANCIAL REPORT — GEORGE H. PULLMAN 45 

FINANCIAL BALANCE SHEET 54, 55 

MAP OF ASIA MINOR , 56 

FIRST EXPEDITION REPORT — DR. J. B. HUBBELL 59 

SPECIAL MEDICAL REPORT — DR. H. HINTLIAN 73 

SECOND EXPEDITION REPORT — EDWARD M. WISTAR 75 

THIRD EXPEDITON REPORT — CHARLES KING WOOD 83 

FOURTH EXPEDITION REPORT — DR. IRA HARRIS g2 

TELEGRAMS QQ 

RED CROSS PRINCIPLES 120 

IN MEMORIAM 122 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Red Cross Headquarters, Constantinople. 

(Ernest Mason.) 
Rev. Joseph K. Greene, D. D. , Constantinople. 
Ceremony of "Salamlic." 
The Outer, or Pera Bridge. 
Rev. Henry O. Dwight, D. D. 
W. W. Peet, Esq. 
Sublime Porte, Stamboul. 
View from Red Cross Headquarters. 
American Bible House in Stamboul. 

Manner of Carrying Burdens, etc. 

(From Sketches by J, B. Hubbell.) 
Marash. 

(Ernest Mason.) 

A Turkish Village. 

(Ernest Mason.) 
Sinnamod, Suburb of Harpoot. 

(Ernest Mason.) 
A Zaptieh. A Wreck. A Khan. Dr. Hubbell and Guard. 

(Ernest Mason.) 
Red Cross Expedition passing through the Valley of Catch Beard. 

(From Sketch by C. K. Wood.) 
Miss Caroline E. Bush. 

First Expedition Embarking on Ferryboat. 

(Ernest Mason.) 
Rev. H. N. Barnum, D. D. 

Rev. C. F. Gates, D. D. 

Interior of Gregorian Church at Oorfa. 

(From Sketch by C. K. Wood.) 
Rev. George Washburn, D. D. 
Robert College. 



ILLUSTRATIONS. ^^5 



Cistern of the Thousand Columns. 
Wall Tower, Diarbekir. 

Tools, Agricultural Implements, Weapons, etc. 

( From Sketches by J. B. Hiibbell.) 

Red Cross Headquarters, Farkin. 

(From Sketch by C. K. Wood.) 

Harpoot Ruins. 

(Ernest Mason.) 

Section of Red Cross Caravan. 

Galata Tower, 

Old Tower at Oorfa. 

A Bit of Palou. ^ ^ ^ ^^ ..r ^ ^ 

(From Sketch by C. K. Wood.) 

Armenian Village of Oulasch. 
Marash. 



( Ernest Mason.) 
(Ernest Mason.) 



(Ernest Mason.) 



Egin. 

Kourdish Mountain Village. 

(Ernest Mason.) 

Turkish Telegram, Original and Translation. 

Heading used on Turkish Telegrams. 

Distributing Spinning Wheels at Arabkir. 

( Ernest Mason.) 
Aintab. 

Constantinople Dogs. 

Section of the Outer Wall. 

A Coffee House in Pera. 

Group of Hammals. 

Section of Turkish Cemetery at Scutari. 

A Hammal. 

Plane Tree of the Janizaries, Stamboul. 



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