the result that an old time "sewing circle" was instituted in every
community. Its membership, officers, dues, and regulations were properly
established--one-half day in each week devoted by each member to the
work in its sewing-rooms, with a woman in charge to prepare it. The
clothing was given out to them as received by us. Many a basket came
proudly back to show us the difference between "den an' now"--good,
strong, firmly mended garments. Ragged coats and pants disappeared from
among the men, as no longer "'spectable fo' de fambly."
Provision was also made that the little girls from ten years old should
attend and be taught to sew. Many a little dress was selected at
headquarters for them to make over or repair.
I wish I could do fitting justice to the band of women volunteers who
stood by me through those long months. Some had commenced with me when
society belles, years before, now mistresses of their own palatial
homes; some had come from under the old historic elms of Boston, and
some from the hard-fought fields of Britain's Africa, and wearing the
Victoria Cross. To them, white and black were the same, and no toil too
hard or too menial.
The money contributed and received for the entire relief of ten months
was thirty thousand five hundred, and a few additional dollars and cents
which I do not at this moment recall. It aggregated one dollar apiece
for the entire maintenance of thirty thousand persons for ten months.
It is the general custom in this part of the country for the merchants
to furnish supplies to their patrons, and wait until the gathering of
the crops for their pay. But when we left these people at the beginning
of their harvest, not one family in twenty-five had contracted a debt
for supplies: an experience before unknown in their history.
A report was made and passed into the hands of our legal counsellor,
who, on seeing that no change could be truthfully made in it, advised
that it be not published, as no one would believe it possible to be
done, and we would get only distrust and discredit. Having now come to a
pass where distrust and discredit are no longer to be feared by the Red
Cross, we ourselves are free to make the statement. But back of the hard
facts there is compensation.
A half dozen years later, when our negro protégés of the Sea Islands
heard of the disaster that had fallen upon Galveston, they at once
gathered for aid and sent in their contributions.
"'Cause dey suffers like we did, and de Red Cross is dar," they said.
Of course I would not permit one dollar of this holy gift to Galveston
to go to other than the hands, hard, bony, and black--such as had raised
it in their penury. I also wanted it to do more. Searching for the most
reliable colored people in the city I found in the superintendent of the
colored schools a man who had occupied that place for many years, and
who had the respect and confidence of the people of Galveston. I asked
him to consult his foremost women teachers, and if it pleased them, to
form a society and fit themselves to receive a little money.
In about a week he appeared with his deputation. I informed them that I
had a little money from their own people of the Sea Islands for them;
that they had been chosen to receive it, because as teachers of the
children they would have access to the needs and conditions of the
families. I told them that I had desired to do more than merely make a
gift for distribution. I wished to plant a tree. I could have given them
their peach, which they would eat, enjoy, and throw the pit away. But I
wished them to plant the pit, and let it raise other fruit for them, and
for that reason I had asked the formation of this society.
They all sat quiet a few moments, the tears were on their faces. At
length their president, the school superintendent, spoke for them:
"Miss Barton," he said, "we all appreciate this, and in the name of all
I promise you that the pit shall be reverently planted, and I trust the
time will come when I can tell you that our tree is not only bearing
fruit for ourselves, but for all suffering brethren, as theirs have done
for us."
I then handed them the check for $397. The moment seemed sacred when
these poor dark figures, struggling toward the light, walked out of my
presence. The pit has been successfully planted in Galveston, and we are
from time to time informed of its bearing.
VII
ARMENIAN RELIEF
1896
Leaving the Port Royal field past midsummer of 1894, after an absence of
nearly a year--at a day's notice--the remainder of the autumn and winter
was scarcely less occupied in the details which had been unavoidably
overlooked. Before spring our correspondence commenced to enlarge with
rumors of Armenian massacres, and so excited and rapid was the increase
that, so far as actual labor, consultation, and thought were concerned,
we might as well have been on a field of relief.
Unfortunately, the suspicions of the Turkish Government had fallen upon
the resident missionaries, both English and American, as favoring the
views and efforts of its anarchistic population, or the "young Turks,"
as they were designated. This had the effect of placing the missionaries
in danger, confining them strictly to their own quarters, preventing
all communication and the receiving of any funds sent them from abroad.
England had a large waiting fund which it could not distribute, and
appealed to the American Missionary Boards of Boston and New York, to
find them equally powerless. The need of funds among the missionaries
throughout Turkey was getting painfully urgent, and as a last resort it
was suggested from Constantinople that the Red Cross be asked to open
the way.
A written request from the Rev. Judson Smith, D.D., of Boston, was
nearly identical with one received by us from Mr. Spencer Trask, of New
York, who with others was about to form a national Armenian relief
committee, to be established in that city.
Following these communications, both of these eminent gentlemen, Mr.
Smith and Mr. Trask, came in person to urge our compliance with their
request that the Red Cross accept the charge and personally undertake
the doubtful and dangerous task of distributing the waiting funds among
the missionaries in Turkey.
As Mr. Trask was to take the lead in the formation of a committee for
the raising of funds, his interest was naturally paramount, and his
arguments in favor of our acceptance were wellnigh irresistible.
Immediate action on the part of some one was imperative. Human beings
were starving, and could not be reached. Thousands of towns and villages
had not been heard from since the massacres, and only the Red Cross
could have any hope of reaching them. No one else was prepared for field
work; it had its force of trained field workers. Turkey was one of the
signatory powers to the Red Cross Treaty. Thus it was hoped and believed
that she would the more readily accept its presence.
These are mere examples of the reasons urged by the ardent advocates of
the proposed committee, until at length we came to consider its
acceptance, on conditions which must be clearly understood. First, we
must not be expected to take any part in, or to be made use of, in the
raising of funds--one of our fundamental rules being never to ask for
funds--we did not do it for ourselves.
Second, there must be perfect unanimity between themselves. We must be
assured that every one wanted us to go. Our part would be hard enough
then; and finally we must be sure they had some funds to distribute.
Of the amount of these funds no mention was made by us, and I remember a
feeling of good-natured amusement as I heard the officers of this
untried effort at raising funds speak of "millions." It was easy to
discern that they were more accustomed to the figures of a banking
establishment than a charity organization dependent on the raising of
funds. They were likely to be disappointed. In reality, the amount, so
there were something to go with, made very little difference to us, as
we were merely to place what was entrusted to us where most needed, and
when that was done we had but to return. We never named any amount as
preferable to us.
The means resorted to in raising the funds were unfortunate. In the
great public meetings called for that purpose the utmost indiscretion
prevailed in regard to language applied to Turkey and the Turkish
Government. This aroused the indignation of the Turkish officials, who
very reasonably took measures to have our entrance into Turkey
forbidden.
A date of sailing, however, had been given Mr. Trask, and his committee,
feeling that any change would be detrimental to their efforts, no change
was made, and we sailed on time, to find in England no permission, and
further efforts necessary. With time and patience the troublesome
effects of these mistakes were overcome, and Constantinople was reached,
and a heavenly welcome by the harassed missionaries awaited us.
The first step was to procure an introduction to the Turkish Government,
which had in one sense refused to see me. Accompanied by the American
Minister, Hon. A. W. Terrell, and his premier interpreter, Gargiulo, 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 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.
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, the great sympathy of
the people of America, and giving assurance that our objects were purely
humanitarian, having neither political, racial, nor religious
significance.
The Pasha listened most attentively to Mr. Terrell, thanked him, and
said that this was well understood, that they knew the Red Cross and its
president. Turning to me he repeated: "We know you, Miss Barton; have
long known you and your work. We would like to hear your plans for
relief and what you desire."
I proceeded to state our plans for relief, which, if not carried out at
this time, the suffering in Armenia, unless we had been misinformed,
would shock the entire civilized world. None of us knew from personal
observation, as yet, the full need of assistance, but had reason to
believe it very great. 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 can not, of course,
say what its character will be, but can vouch for its truth, fairness,
and integrity, and for the conduct of every leading man who shall be
sent. I shall never counsel or permit a sly or underhand action with
your government, and you will pardon me, Pasha, if I say 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. We honor
your position and your wishes shall be respected. Such aid and
protection as we are able, 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 meeting with 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 on either side.
The Turkish Government, when once it came to understand American methods
and enthusiasm was forgiving and kind to us. No obstruction was ever
placed in our way. Our five expeditions passed through Armenian Turkey
from sea to sea, distributing whatever was needed, repairing the
destroyed machines, enabling the people to make tools to harvest their
grain, thus averting a famine; providing medical help and food as well
for thousands of sick; setting free the frightened inhabitants, and
returning them to the villages from which they had fled for their lives;
restoring all missionary freedom that had been interrupted; establishing
a more kindly feeling toward them on the part of the government; and
through all this, we had never one unpleasant transaction with any
person of whatever name or race.
While our expeditions were getting ready to go out by the Black Sea, a
request was brought to me by Dr. Washburn, of Robert College, from Sir
Philip Currie, the British Ambassador at Constantinople, asking if I
could not be "persuaded" to turn my expedition through the
Mediterranean, rather than the Black Sea, in order to reach Mirash 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, dysentery
and smallpox--that the victims were dying in overwhelming numbers, and
that there was not a physician among them, all being either sick or
dead, with no medicine 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 met.
But here was a hindrance. The only means of conveyance from
Constantinople to Alexandretta were coasting boats, belonging to
different nationalities, 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 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. J. B. Hubbell and assistants.
To our surprise they were granted instantly, but by some delay on the
part of the messenger sent for them they reached a moment too late. The
boat left a little more 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 Dr. Hubbell secured passage by the first
boat at 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 assistants, whom we had called by cable
from America--Edward M. Wistar and Charles King Wood--were also passed
over to the same point with 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 these three gentlemen made to me will be
living witnesses. They tell their own modest tales of exposure, severe
travel, hard work, and hardship, of which no word of complaint has ever
passed their lips. There have been only gratitude and joy, that they
could do something in a cause at once so great and so terrible.
While this was in progress, a dispatch came to me at Constantinople 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 the 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, prompt and courageous action was taken by him. It is
something 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, the mortality ceasing at once under their
care and treatment.
During this time the medical relief for the cities of Zeitoun and Marash
was in charge of Dr. Ira Harris, of Tripoli, who reached there March
18th. The report of the consuls had placed the number of deaths from the
four contagious diseases at one hundred a day. 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 condition
of the patients, 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's 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 (something over eight hundred
dollars) 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 our expeditions
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 found, 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 twenty-fourth 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 equaled. The lives he had saved were enough
to gain Heaven's choicest diadem. Never has America cause to be more
justly proud and grateful than when its sons and daughters in foreign
lands perform deeds of worth like that.
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."
The apathy to which the state of utter nothingness, together with their
grief and fear, had reduced the inhabitants, was by no means the
smallest difficulty to be overcome. Here was realized the great danger
felt by all--that of continued alms-giving, 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,
awakened 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 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.
When the cities could no longer provide the spades, hoes, plows, picks
and shovels, and the crude iron and steel to make these was purchased
and 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 _débris_ 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. 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 flint workers upon the rude threshing machines.
They have told me since their return that the pleasantest memories left
to them were of those great valleys 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 Moab. 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 condition no less
imperative arose. These fields must be replanted or starvation must be
simply delayed. Only the strength of their old-time teams of oxen could
break up the hard sod and prepare for the fall sowing. Not an
animal--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, I thought of our not
rapidly swelling bank account, and all that was needed everywhere else,
and replied accordingly.
When in return came the telegram from the Rev. Dr. Gates, president of
Harpoot College, the live, active, practical man of affairs, whose
judgment no one could question, saying that the need of oxen was
imperative, that unless the ground could be plowed before it dried and
hardened it could not be done at all, and the next harvest would be
lost, also that "Mr. Wood's estimate was moderate," the financial
secretary was directed to send a draft for five thousand liras
(twenty-two thousand dollars) to the care of the Rev. Dr. Gates, to be
divided among the three expeditions for the purchase of cattle and the
progress of the harvest of 1897.
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 farmer's 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 Diarbekir, where the official escort had not
been waited for, and the leveled musket of the faithless guide told the
difference.
At length the task was accomplished. One by one the expeditions closed
and withdrew, returning by Sivas and Samsoun, and coming out by the
Black Sea. With the return of the expeditions we closed the field. But
contributors would 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 about fifteen thousand dollars. This
was happily placed with Mr. W. W. Pect, treasurer of the Board of
Foreign Missions at Stamboul, to be used subject to our order; and with
our concurrence it was employed in the building of little houses in the
interior, as a winter shelter and protection, where all had been
destroyed.