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Show rHDUSANDS DIE -FRO MTAR V AT I ON HEJPX-SS PEOPLE IN MOUNTAINS MOUN-TAINS IN SYRIA DENIED SUCCOR. SUC-COR. ARE PERISHING. Refusal of Germany to Allow 3afc Passage of Relief Ships Was Th Death Sentence of Thousands of Syrians. Now York. A thousand deaths n day from starvation out of a population popu-lation of .'(."O.OOO In tho Lebanon mountains moun-tains near Helrut, Syria, Is tho toll of famine conditions thero resulting frbui the war, It was declared hero Sunday by the Hov. William II. Hall of the Syrian Protestant college, who recently recent-ly returned to this country from relief work In Hint district. Continuing Mr. Hull described tho tragic disappointment of tho pcoplo there, whoso spirits wore kept up for weeks by the promised nrrlved last Christmas tlmo of tho American relief ship Caesar, which would have meant llfo to thousands, but which never arrived owing to tho rcfusul of Germany Ger-many and Austria-Hungary to grunt her safe pnssago to Helrut. Tho Caesar, n navul collier loaned to tho Hcd Cross by tho nnvy department, depart-ment, left Now York months; before the entry of this country lnta&o war, as ul "Christmas ship" for tho ffiedyln Syrli, curbing tnoro .than 'uX('gp'ir of il million dollars' worth st foodtftnd clothing contributed ln this country. "Duy after day tho poor, starving pcoplo along tho coast and through Uio mountains looked nnd prayed for the coming of tho 'American ship,' Mr. Hall said. "Tho country was canvassed canvass-ed by well organized committees, tho needy wcro listed, tho work of distribution distribu-tion was thoroughly prepared, offices were opened nnd men chosen to direct tho distribution. Tho pcoplo wullcd. Their hopes wero raised high. "Week followed week und month followed fol-lowed month In suspenso the people dally looked out to sen for her, but tho ship which meant llfo and hope to thousands nover appeared. Sho was held by 'milltury necessity' while tho people starved." Tho city of Helrut Is ns sorely nf-fllcted nf-fllcted us the mountain districts, Mr. Hull went on, nnd day or night ono hears tho cry nlong tho streets, "I nm hungry give mo bretul." This Is not from beggars, but from laborers and tradesmen, people who have known tho comforts of life. |