Difference between revisions of "Asa Jennings"
(New page: '''Asa K. Jennings''' was an American Methodist minister, from New York, who played a very big part in the evacuation of over 300,000 Greeks in Smyrna during the [[Asia Minor disaster]...) |
|||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
'''Asa K. Jennings''' was an American Methodist minister, from New York, who played a very big part in the evacuation of over 300,000 Greeks in [[Smyrna]] during the [[Asia Minor disaster]]. | '''Asa K. Jennings''' was an American Methodist minister, from New York, who played a very big part in the evacuation of over 300,000 Greeks in [[Smyrna]] during the [[Asia Minor disaster]]. | ||
| − | Jennings was born on [[September 20]], [[1877]]. He had been working with the YMCA in [[Smyrna]], [[Asia Minor]] when the forces of Kemal Ataturk entered the city on [[September 9]], [[1922]]. In the next few days, Greeks, Armenians and other Christians living in the city were subjected to atrocities by the Turkish troops. On [[September 13]], 3/4 of the city was burned down and the Smyrniots - plus thousands of other Greek refugees from the hinterland of [[Asia Minor]] - were forced to camp out on the quay of the once-bustling city. There were several allied war ships in the harbour but none would take anyone aboard. Captains, claiming neutrality, went so far as to have scalding water poured on anyone swimming near their ships. Western governments were contented to evacuate their own nationals while the Greek government would not | + | Jennings was born on [[September 20]], [[1877]]. He had been working with the YMCA in [[Smyrna]], [[Asia Minor]] when the forces of Kemal Ataturk entered the city on [[September 9]], [[1922]]. In the next few days, Greeks, Armenians and other Christians living in the city were subjected to atrocities by the Turkish troops. On [[September 13]], 3/4 of the city was burned down and the Smyrniots - plus thousands of other Greek refugees from the hinterland of [[Asia Minor]] - were forced to camp out on the quay of the once-bustling city. There were several allied war ships in the harbour but none would take anyone aboard. Captains, claiming neutrality, went so far as to have scalding water poured on anyone swimming near their ships. Western governments were contented to evacuate their own nationals while the Greek government would not send ships fearing they would be seized by the Turks. |
It was in this backdrop that Jennings decided to act: he met with Kemal Pasha (later known as Ataturk) and worked out the terms for the evacuation of the refugees. Jennings then returned to the port, and was provided with a boat and coxswain by the U.S. Navy to visit ships in the harbour. After many refusals, he managed to bribe the captain of an Italian ship to take some refugees aboard and land them in [[Mytilene]]. There he found anchored the Greek ships that had evacuated the Greek army just days before. He then convinced, after much effort, the Greek government to let him take charge of these ships in order to evacuate the people of Smyrna. Thus, he took charge of 26 Greek ships - flying the US flag - which evacuated from Smyrna's quay nearly 300,000 refugees. | It was in this backdrop that Jennings decided to act: he met with Kemal Pasha (later known as Ataturk) and worked out the terms for the evacuation of the refugees. Jennings then returned to the port, and was provided with a boat and coxswain by the U.S. Navy to visit ships in the harbour. After many refusals, he managed to bribe the captain of an Italian ship to take some refugees aboard and land them in [[Mytilene]]. There he found anchored the Greek ships that had evacuated the Greek army just days before. He then convinced, after much effort, the Greek government to let him take charge of these ships in order to evacuate the people of Smyrna. Thus, he took charge of 26 Greek ships - flying the US flag - which evacuated from Smyrna's quay nearly 300,000 refugees. | ||
Revision as of 09:05, January 3, 2011
Asa K. Jennings was an American Methodist minister, from New York, who played a very big part in the evacuation of over 300,000 Greeks in Smyrna during the Asia Minor disaster.
Jennings was born on September 20, 1877. He had been working with the YMCA in Smyrna, Asia Minor when the forces of Kemal Ataturk entered the city on September 9, 1922. In the next few days, Greeks, Armenians and other Christians living in the city were subjected to atrocities by the Turkish troops. On September 13, 3/4 of the city was burned down and the Smyrniots - plus thousands of other Greek refugees from the hinterland of Asia Minor - were forced to camp out on the quay of the once-bustling city. There were several allied war ships in the harbour but none would take anyone aboard. Captains, claiming neutrality, went so far as to have scalding water poured on anyone swimming near their ships. Western governments were contented to evacuate their own nationals while the Greek government would not send ships fearing they would be seized by the Turks.
It was in this backdrop that Jennings decided to act: he met with Kemal Pasha (later known as Ataturk) and worked out the terms for the evacuation of the refugees. Jennings then returned to the port, and was provided with a boat and coxswain by the U.S. Navy to visit ships in the harbour. After many refusals, he managed to bribe the captain of an Italian ship to take some refugees aboard and land them in Mytilene. There he found anchored the Greek ships that had evacuated the Greek army just days before. He then convinced, after much effort, the Greek government to let him take charge of these ships in order to evacuate the people of Smyrna. Thus, he took charge of 26 Greek ships - flying the US flag - which evacuated from Smyrna's quay nearly 300,000 refugees.
Jennings' efforts were soon expanded to include Greeks fleeing from Cesme and Ayvali. His initial fleet of 26 ships eventually grew to 55. In appreciation of his efforts, Greece awarded him several medals and citations.
Jennings died on January 27, 1933.