to
the cities of Marash and Zeitoun. The reports received from consuls and
missionaries presented a terrible condition of affairs, threatening the
lives of thousands by pestilence and hunger, more rapidly than the
Circassian knife and the Kourdish spear and bullet had done. Our own
special agents were all in charge of difficult and distant fields, and
none could be spared to this section. After various disappointments,
aided by the Rev. Dr. Post at Beyrout, Dr. Ira Harris was reached and
asked to aid in organizing and forming a relief expedition at once.
Besides himself as director, six other physicians and two pharmacists
were required. Dr. Harris, though burdened with hospital patients and
promised operations, finally decided to proceed to Beyrout and meet Dr.
Post, taking with him his own assistant and pharmacist. Dr. Hubbell had
already been Dr. Harris' guest and this fact aided the latter's
acceptance. At Beyrout time was spent in examining medical applicants,
most of whom withdrew however on learning of the dangers before them.
Two Protestant doctors were secured on the second day, and so with half
the needed medical force at hand, the supplies and stores were quickly
purchased and packed for travel. Arrangements at Tripoli for the care of
Dr. Harris' own patients were then made, and upon the third of April our
fourth expedition was under way. A route was chosen via Mersene and
Adana. At the latter city some delay was occasioned by the rumors of
incursions of bandit tribes to neighboring towns and villages and an
insufficient military escort available. After trying in vain two or
three days, to influence the local authorities Dr. Harris telegraphed to
Red Cross headquarters for assistance. The matter was immediately
brought to the attention of the Porte, through the United States
Legation, and within an hour an imperial order was sent to the governor
of Adana. As fine a mounted Turkish soldier guard as ever escorted an
expedition was at once found, and Dr. Harris with his corps of
assistants, hastened on to