Shall This Nation Die
By: Rev. Joseph Naayem
An Historical Essay On The Assyro-Chaldean Christians
By: Rev. Gabriel Oussani
St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie, New York
Oct. 1st, 1920
The Rev. J. Naayem, the author of this work (Shall This Nation Die), and an eye-witness of most of the horrible scenes of massacres herein described, has requested me to write an introduction to this English version of his book for the benefit of the American public, which is perhaps not so well acquainted with the history, geography and religion of the Assyro-Chaldean Christians who suffered during and after the great war (1915-1920) at the hands of the unscrupulous Turks, indescribable torture, and who lost through murder and famine 250,000 of their membership.
Having the interest and the welfare of this unfortunate nation at heart, being myself a native of that unhappy land, and having already known of these things through direct correspondence with bishops, priests, merchants, friends and relatives in Mesopotamia, I gladly accede to his request, hopeful of awakening in the loving hearts of the American people a genuine sympathy and commiseration for this martyred race, one of the most ancient and glorious nations; but, alas, decimated and reduced to ruin.
