spring must be nearly, if not quite, inaccessible to outside approach:
Adabazar, Bardezag, Brousa, Cesarea, Marsovan, 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 forwarded to us by them. All
contributions received by us directly at Constantinople are acknowledged
in our report.
[Illustration: INTERIOR OF GREGORIAN CHURCH AT OORFA, WHERE MANY
HUNDREDS OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN WERE MASSACRED.]
Although an account of the disposition of all funds is rendered in the
report of the financial secretary, which, after verification, 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 _amount_ of money to be
distributed was never made a concern of ours, provided they 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 always 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 efficient, should be conducted on the same reasonable basis
as business, and that a good business man, unless by accident 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 embarrassed 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 unwise
and unjust. According to the universal system of charitable relief, all
was being done that could be done; but if asked if we had enough for the
_needs 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 stewardship 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.
[Illustration: MAP SHOWING THE COUNTRY TRAVERSED BY THE RED CROSS
EXPEDITIONS CARRYING AMERICAN RELIEF TO THE VICTIMS OF
THE ARMENIAN MASSACRES IN ASIA MINOR IN 1896.
_The shaded district indicates the territory in which
personal work was done._]
THE COMMITTEES.
On behalf of the wretchedness and suffering met through Asia Minor, we
return heartfelt thanks to the committees who labored 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
generosity, 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 success, and again for their efforts on behalf of such suffering as
even they never witnessed, we return with reverence our sincerest
gratitude. Their efforts have been herculean, their obstructions
scarcely less.
[Illustration: AMERICAN COLLEGE BUILDINGS, AINTAB.]
[Illustration: AMERICAN AND ARMENIAN QUARTERS, HARPOOT.]
[Illustration: MARASH]
[Illustration: RED CROSS CARAVAN.]
The cause of these difficulties lay in the customary conception and
methods of charitable relief which they were naturally compelled to
adopt and follow. Until the world comes to recognize 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
previously 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 compelled 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 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 us their almoners, whose whole-hearted
trust has strengthened us, whose hearts have been with us, whose prayers
have followed us, whose hopes have sustained us, and whose beckoning
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 commendation 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 sympathy 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 necessarily 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. Terrell, his
accomplished secretary, and _chargé d'affairs_, J.W. Riddle, his
interpreter and dragoman, Gargiulo; our Consul General, Luther Short,
Esq.; the consular interpreter, Demetriades, from every one of whom we
received unremitting care and attention during all the months of our
residence at Constantinople, and without which aid we could not have
succeeded in our work. There was not an hour that their free service was
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 and cheerfully rendered as at
Constantinople. In this connection I desire to make special mention of
the assistance of United States 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 hospitality 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 authority, without even a ship of his own country in port, that
no life in his charge has been lost, and that only such dangers,
hardships 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 diplomacy, 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 difference in sentiment
between our people and his own; a tower of strength where-ever he took
hold. Germany and Russia were cordial and ready to aid, as also our
English Consul, R.A. Fontana, at Harpoot, and C.M. Hallward, at
Diarbekir; and following these, may I also name the ready help of
Reuter's Express and the United and Associated Presses of both
Constantinople 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.
From Rev. Dr. H.O. Dwight, one word among the many so generously spoken:
Miss Barton has done a splendid work, sensibly and economically
managed. 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.
From Rev. Joseph K. Greene, D.D., to the New York "_Independent_":
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 unfamiliarity 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 understood 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 repeated
explanations, and by the assistance of the American Legation. When
the _iradé_, 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 two parties, traveled inland
from Alexandretta to Killis, Aintab, Marash, Zeitoun, Birejik,
Oorfa, Diarbekir, Farkin, Harpoot, Palou, Malatia, Arabkir, Egin,
Sivas, Tokat, Samsoun and back to Constantinople without
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
consultation and examination, without any interference 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 Missions 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 exception 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
sufferers on their feet again, and thus helping them to help
themselves. Some 500 liras (a lira is $4.40 of _good_ 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, agricultural implements
and oxen for farmers; tools for blacksmiths and carpenters, and
looms for weavers. In some places Miss Barton's agents had the
pleasure of seeing vegetable gardens coming forward from seed
furnished 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 entertain her. The only
relaxation she seems to have given herself was 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 5, 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
declared to have been the happiest Fourth of July she had ever had;
and inspired by the occasion, she penned some verses which she
kindly read to her friends on the second gathering, and which we
very much wish she would permit the editor of the _Independent_ to
publish. On the second occasion, at Miss Barton's request, the
financial secretary read his report and Dr. Hubbell and Mr. Wood
presented reports of the work of distribution. 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 mutually 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 rhythmic form as
we crossed over the sea of Marmora, on our way to an island celebration
of the Fourth 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 report
as a "part of its history."
[Illustration: AN ANCIENT MOSQUE IN KILLIS.]
MARMORA.
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.
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 were 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 toward 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,
O blue and rolling Marmora, shalt bear the message home.
Dedicated to W.W. Peet, Esq.
CLARA BARTON.
_Constantinople, July 4, 1896._
Reports are always tedious. If some reader, having persevered thus far,
if such there be, shall find himself or herself saying 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 emigration for the Armenians, 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 conclusions to that effect are simply
inferential, and all such expectations 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 progressive 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 Caspian 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 concurred in by our own agents, whose
observations have been unrestricted, from 100,000 to 200,000 of these
persons, men, women and children, are destitute of shelter, raiment,
fire, food, medicines, the comforts that tend to make human life
preservable, or any means of obtaining them, save through the charitable
beneficence of the world.
[Illustration: REV. C.F. GATES, D.D. HARPOOT.]
[Illustration: MISS CAROLINE E. BUSH HARPOOT.]
[Illustration: FIRST EXPEDITION EMBARKING ON FERRY BOAT,
EUPHRATES RIVER.]
The same estimates concur in the statement, that without such 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.
[Illustration: A TURKISH TESKERE OR PASSPORT.]
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 commenced 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. We have hastened, without loss of a
day, to bring them plainly and truthfully before the public as a subject
pertaining peculiarly to it.