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THE KING’S BUSINESS
blamed for an unhappy outcome either way. Monday, when Dr. Ussher saw the Vali again, he seemed to be wavering and asked if he should send the guard. Dr. Ussher left the decision with him, but added that the sending of such a force might precipitate trouble. It was never sent. “ISHIM YOK, KEFUM CHOK” Tuesday, April 20, at 6 a. m., some Turkish soldiers tried to seize one of a band of village women on their way to the
premises. This guard must be accepted or a written statement given him to the effect that it had, been offered and refused, so that he should be absolved from all respon sibility for our safety. He wished an immediate answer, but at last consented to wait till Sunday noon. Our Armenian friends, most of them, agreed that the guard must be accepted. But the revolu tionists declared that such a force in so central a location menaced the safety of the Armenian forces and they would never permit it to reach our premises alive. We
CITY OF VAN AND CASTLE ROCK Overlooking Lake Van, which is 25x30 miles in extent and lies 5500 feet above sea level
city. She fled. Two Armenian soldiers came up and asked the Turks what they were doing. The Turkish soldiers fired on the Armenians, killing them. Thereupon the Turkish entrenchments opened fire. The seige had begun.. There was steady rifle ^firing all day and from the walled city, now cut off from communication with the Gardens, was heard a continuous cannon ading from Castle Rock upon the houses
might have a guard of five. But Jevdet Bey would give us fifty or none. Truly we were between the devil and the deep sea, for if both revolutionists and Vali kept their word we should be the occasion for the outbreak of trouble if the guard was sent; if it was not sent we have no official assurance of safety for the thou sands who were already preparing to take refuge on our premises. We should be
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