CRUEL TURKS.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1920, Page 5

CRUEL TURKS.

MASSACRE OF ARMENIANS. MANY CHRISTIANS MURDERED. By Telecraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Feb. IS, 1.15 p.m. Constantinople, Fob. 16. There is the" greatest anxiety in France and American circles concerning the fate of Mar-ash (a small town in the vilayet of Aleppo, in Asiatic Turkey), which Turkish insurgents are attacking. One report states that over 2000 Armenians were massacred.

Mr. Wilson, head of an American Mission at Marash, reported that the situation was very grave. At least a hundred Christians were murdered daily. French and Armenians are besieged in the Mission headquarters, while Turkish bands hold the outlets. French officials believed Turkish Nationalists are arming and officering the insurgents with the. connivance of the .Turkish regulars.

Trustworthy information states that fifty thousand Turks and Kurds forces at Mustapha and Kernel, taking advantage of the unprotected condition of the mountain district in Cilicia, are massacring Armenians at Fundudjak, Furmiz, and the vicinity. They have already slaughtered seven thousand at Marash, and the struggle continues.

There have been serious Armenian losses. The Turks advanced to Baehtcim, spreading a reign of terror, The Armenians are resisting stoutly, but lack th» necessary equipment. Only immediate assistance can save 150,000 from extermination. —Times Service.

QUICK AID WANTED. COMPLETE DESTRUCTION FEARED. Received Feb. 18, n.aS p.m. Washington, Feb. 17. The International Red Cross at Geneva has addressed an appeal to President Wilson, declaring that if the Allied Powers do not give quick and full aid to the Armenians the latter will not only bow to 'Turkish domination, but will be completely destroyed.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.