No. 417.
Mr. Wallace to Mr. Frelinghuysen.
[Extract.]
Legation of
the United States,
Constantinople, February 6, 1884.
(Received February 25.)
No. 322.]
Sir: I have the honor to forward a copy and
translation of a communication from the Sublime Porte upon the subject of
the attack upon Messrs. Knapp and Reynolds. It would seem to have been
prepared before the reception of my note demanding indemnity, although it
actually came to hand after that paper had been dispatched to his highness,
the minister of foreign affairs.
It is in effect but a repetition of former notes, having no better foundation
for its explanations and assurances than the reports of the governor of
Bitlis.
His highness, the minister of foreign affairs, has not been to his office for
more than two weeks. * * *
The last time I had the honor of an interview with his highness, the the
minister of foreign affairs, he told me plainly that it had been resolved in
the council of ministers to recall the governor of Bitlis. I pressed him to
tell me when the order would be put in execution. He would give me no
assurance or promise. From the note forwarded to you, it will be seen that
the governor is still in office and that the Sublime Porte continues him in
its confidence.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure in No.
322.—Translation.]
Aarifi Pasha to Mr.
Wallace.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Sublime Porte, January 28,
1884.
Mr. Envoy: I have received the note which Mr.
Heap was good enough to address me the 13th December last, No. 190,
relative to the attack of which Messrs. Knapp and Reynolds were the
objects, in the vicinity of Ghuvrie.
I have not failed to communicate the matter to the minister of the
interior, who has in response transmitted me the explanatory
circumstances which the imperial authorities of the province of Bitlis
have given him of the subject. As a result of the information which has
been given them of the attack, the imperial authorities have shown the
greatest zeal in investigating the affair. All the goods and effects
stolen were immediately recovered and restored to their owners. At, the
same time the suspected persons found in the village where the said
property was secreted have been arrested, but when confronted with Mr.
Knapp, he having declared that he did not recognize them as his
assailants, they were naturally turned loose. Later, upon the
representation of the United States legation, Moussa Bey was arrested as
the principal culprit; but upon being confronted in turn with Mr. Knapp,
the latter declared that he had no grievance against him, and he was not
recognizable by his associate, and that he had never made complaints
against them. Nevertheless, orders have been sent to the imperial
attorney at Van, that he ask of Mr. Reynolds, who is at present in that
city, some explanations on the point. But as Moussa Bey could not be
equitably eommitted on the deposition of Mr. Knapp, he was also turned
loose under bail, conformably to the law.
The local authorities continue to exert all their efforts to accomplish
the discovery and punishment of the guilty parties, who are sought for
with all possible diligence.
In consequence of the explanations above given, I hope your excellency
will be so good as to recognize in justice that the imperial authorities
of the vilayet of Bitlis are exerting themselves all they pan to fulfill
their duties.
Kindly accept, &c.,
