American National Red Cross; Red Cross and Red Crescent
Bakshish is another custom of the country, infinitely more exasperating
than our "tip" system, which is bad enough. This is trying to most
people, but peculiarly irritating to a financial secretary. Bakshish is
a gift of money which an Oriental expects and demands for the most
trifling service. Beggars, by instinct, seem to know a financial
secretary and swarm around in the most appalling manner. To make any
headway with this horde at least two Turkish words must be mastered the
first day, namely, "_Yok_," No, and "_Hidé-git_," "Be off with you."
These expressions are sometimes efficacious with beggars, but the
bakshish fiend must be paid something.
As long columns of figures have no interest to the great majority of
people, and detailed accounts of receipts and expenses are never read,
as it is of no possible importance what moneys were received at certain
times, or what goods were purchased on specific days for the field work,
or gold or drafts sent into the interior, we give our statement in as
condensed a form as possible. The committees have received their
respective reports, with all vouchers and other detail.
We believe the account of our stewardship will be approved by our
countrymen; we know that the people whom we came to assist, are grateful
and thoroughly appreciative, as numberless letters of gratitude,
testimonials and personal statements abundantly prove.
To the $116,326.01, at least a third if not a half more should be added,
as in all kinds of industrial business we have made the money do double
duty. For instance: We purchased iron and steel and gave to the
blacksmiths to make tools. That started their work. They paid us for the
iron and steel in tools; these we gave to other artisans to start their
various trades. In like manner spinning, weaving and garment-making
avocations were commenced. Speaking of values, the consensus of opinion
of our countrymen in the interior is, that putting a price on our work,
the people of Anatolia have gained twice or thrice the actual money
spent, and that the moral support given was far beyond any valuation.
(At such a money valuation then, the aggregate value of the chief
distribution will be nearly $350,000.)
A few words of explanation in regard to the table of expenditures: "Cash
sent to the Interior" includes all moneys sent by pony express or draft,
and of this amount something over seven thousand liras are in the hands
of W.W. Peet, Esq.; Rev. C.F. Gates, at Harpoot; C.M. Hallward, Esq.,
British Consul, at Diarbekir; Rev. E.H. Perry, at Sivas, and other
equally responsible representatives, for an emergency fund, to be used,
on order, as occasion requires.
"Relief Expeditions, General and Medical," represents largely the goods
purchased and shipped with the four expeditions from Constantinople and
Beyrout for relief purposes. A portion of this supply is still held at
different stations awaiting the proper time for its distribution to the
best advantage.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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