The Blight of Asia

'The Blight of Asia' is a harrowing and firsthand account of the cataclysmic events surrounding the end of the Ottoman Empire and the rise of the modern Turkish state. Written by George Horton, who served as the United States Consul General at Smyrna, this work provides a detailed witness testimony regarding the systematic destruction of Christian populations in the Near East. The narrative focuses heavily on the 1922 Burning of Smyrna, an event that marked a tragic turning point in the aftermath of World War I.Horton documents the geopolitical shifts, diplomatic failures, and humanitarian crises that defined the region during the early 20th century. Through observations of the Greek and Armenian populations, the author explores themes of religious persecution and the violent transition of empires. 'The Blight of Asia' serves as both a historical record and a passionate plea for international awareness, offering critical insights into the ethnic tensions and military conflicts that reshaped the Middle East. This work remains a significant primary source for understanding the complexities of diplomacy and human rights during one of history’s most turbulent eras.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.