PERSECUTIONS OF THE GREEKS IN TURKEY SINCE THE ...

APPENDIX B
The following cablegram has been received by the
Greek Legation at Washington from the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of Greece.
Athens, May 13th, 1918.
Many officers and soldiers of the Turkish army who have been
captured by the Allies and have arrived at Saloniki, upon being
questioned, have told of the destruction of Hellenism in Turkey,
begging that their names be not revealed for fear of reprisals on
the part of the Turks against their families. They declare in
particular that Hellenism in Turkey has been dealt the most terrific
blow that it has ever received since 1453. Three means have
been used, general mobilization, requisitions and deportations.
Up to the end of 1917 more than 200,000 Greeks between 15
and 48 years of age were mobilized. Large numbers of these have
succumbed to maltreatment, famine, exposure and epidemics.
The Hellenic populations that have been compelled to leave their
homes in Thrace and Asia Minor number mare than 1,500,000.
With the exception of the Greek populations of Constantinople,
Smyrna and some other cities, all the Greeks of Turkey are
suffering martyrdom through deportations, outrages on women
and starvation.
Half of the deported populations have perished in consequence
of ill-treatment, disease and famine. Many have committed suicide
or have been massacred in the interior of Asia Minor. Those
that remain are subjected to continual martyrdom as slaves or
are forced to become Mohammedans. Turkish functionaries and
officers declare that no Christian shall be left alive in Turkey
unless he embraces Mohammedanism.
A Greek doctor has been compelled, under threat of death, to
circumcise 40 Greek soldiers who had turned Mohammedans in
order to save their families. The confiscated fortunes of the
deported Greeks surpass in value five billion francs.
Officers have met in the provinces of Romia and Mosul prominent
Greeks from Aivali that were formerly millionaires working
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