TURKISH HORRORS IN PERSIA

American-Educated Native Asks Aid for Thousands of Victims

OCTOBER 11, 1915
Sherman Malek Yonan, a well-to-do Persian who was graduated from Washington and
Lee University in 1913 and returned to his native city of Uremia, has sent an appeal to the
country that gave him his education to help the thousands of sufferers about him.
Mr. Yonan, whose nickname is college was Prince and who as a track athlete established
the Washington and Lee record for the broad jump, makes his appeal in a letter written to
a classmate on July 25, 1915, in which he describes as much of his terrible experience as
the censors would pass. The letter is addressed to F. W. McWaine and has been printed in
The Ring-Tum Phi, the Washington and Lee college weekly. It says in part:
It would take volumes, as big to the world a picture so horrible. No such things have
happened since Creation.
"When Turkey declared war against the Allies, the Russians had a small army in Uremia.
A couple of months later the army was withdrawn from Uremia. Now the sought chance
had come to the Mussulmans. Oh, they did what they had contemplated, and a hundred
per cent more.
"From that day commenced our tortures and evil days. Honestly, as I am writing, the tears
are running down my cheeks. I can't help crying. Thousands and thousands of our
people--men, women and children, have been butchered in cold blood. Thousands of girls
from seven years up have been destroyed by the Moslems. Thousands have been forced
against their will to become Mohammedans. Our churches are converted into stables--
three-fourths of them burned. More than a hundred and twenty villages of Christians have
been turned into ashes. Today there is no habitation left for us. Our own houses have been
burned--property taken away-absolutely nothing left. Not being satisfied with this, the
cruel Moslems imposed a heavy fine upon certain persons. There was a heavy fine on me.
I couldn't find the money. Then I was warned to hide myself. If not I would mount the
scaffold. I had to borrow the money to pay the fine.
"Well, I suppose you would think perhaps that was enough for me. But this was merely
an introduction to the greater horrors. My folks had fled to Russia when they had a
chance. My little brother and myself were left behind--found it impossible to go, so we
had to stay.
"For exactly four months I hid myself. A Moslem friend of mine hid me. Imagine four
months in a dark room, not being able to see even sunlight. Three times I escaped the
capture. God himself saved me. The authorities were hunting me hard. Why they were so
diligently hunting for me I do not know.
"The Christianity has absolutely perished here. About twelve thousand have perished by
famine, murder and typhoid. Thanks to the American missionaries: they did a heroic
work. It was their efforts which saved the remaining Christians.
"As a friend college mate, and classmate. I appeal to you for help. we are making appeals
everywhere. The people are starving to death."
In submitting the letter for publication Mr. McWaine accompanied it with an appeal in
Yonan's behalf, saving that contributions might be sent to him at Lexington Va., or direct
to Shleeman Malek Yonan, Urumiah, Persia.