Office of the Historian

Mr. Terrell to Mr. Olney.

Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, February 25, 1897. (Received March 13.)
No. 1188.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose for your information the copy of a letter from the Rev. G. C. Reynolds, of Van, dated February 3, 1897, in answer to my circular letter for information.

It contains the statement that no schools taught by Americans have been closed since 1893, and no colporteur imprisoned. The cases of theft referred to had not been reported to me.

I have, etc.,

A. W. Terrell.
[Inclosure in No. 1188.]

Mr. Reynolds to Mr. Terrell.

Van, February 3, 1897.

Dear Sir: Your favor of December 30, containing various inquiries with reference to our work, is received, and in reply I would say that none of our schools have been closed since 1893, though a school under our care at the village of Agants, in the Kasa of Ajesh, was closed some years earlier and considerable correspondence was had on the subject with the legation, but with no result.

II. We have on one premises a school for boys and one for girls, in both of which Americans give instruction, and a girls’ school in the [Page 578] walled city, 3 miles distant, under our direct supervision. The buildings owned by the A. B. C. F. M. are as follows:

A dwelling house occupied by . C. Reynolds $1,600
A dwelling house occupied by H. M. Allen 1,700
Building used as girls’ school and teachers’ residence 3,500
Building used as boys’ school 1,900
Building used as stable 350
Building used as gate keeper’s house 75
Land inclosed in our premises 1,250
A separate lot, with small house 570
Chapel, school, and preacher’s residence, Agants 260
Total value of property held in name of Americans 11,205
A chapel in the walled city in the name of the native brethren 660

III. The present number of pupils in the boys’ school on the premises is 250 and in the girls’ school 200, while there are nearly 50 in the school in the walled city, making a total of 500.

IV. No direct injury to American persons or property has been inflicted within the time specified, but during the troubles in June a boat load of grain belonging to the relief fund was stolen at Ajesh, and though it is perfectly well known who took it, and the consul has made demand for the return of the grain, and has, I think, referred the matter to his embassy, nothing has yet been done about it. At the same time a horse belonging to the relief was stolen from one of the relief agents as he was returning from the near village of Arshag, and though the zabtieh who was with him testified as to the person who took it, and this matter has also been brought to the attention of the Vali by Mayor Williams, nothing has been done about it.

V. If Erzerum is considered as a “consular post,” it is a little over 200 miles away as the road goes, though less in a direct line.

VI. No real estate is owned by Americans in this province save what is reported above as belonging to the A. B.C. F. M., but this is held in the name of individuals. The value of the personal effects of each individual is more difficult to determine. For myself, I presume my personal belongings could not be replaced for $1,000, perhaps not for $1,500, but if they were sold here they would not reach that amount.

VII. No colporteur has been imprisoned during this period.

It is proper to add that there are medicines and surgical instruments belonging to the board, having an estimated value of $1,500.

I trust that this report may be found satisfactory. I most earnestly second the wish that “the era of distrust and violence” may soon be among the things of the past.

I remain, etc.,

G. C. Reynolds.