On receipt of this report I called on the minister for foreign affairs and
furnished him with a copy of Consul Jewett’s report, which he asked might be
furnished him.
I protested to him most earnestly against the manner in which the examination
at Marsovan was being conducted and informed him that what I wanted was to
ascertain the cause of the destruction of the building, whether by
incendiary or accident; if the latter, who the guilty parties were and the
causes that led to the same; that in the examination of witnesses the consul
and his dragoman should be present, that witnesses should not be
intimidated, and that the examination should be conducted with a view of
showing who the guilty parties are, and if it was of incendiary origin. I
also informed him that letters were opened before being delivered and in
some cases not delivered after being opened, and that such interference with
correspondence would not be tolerated without my most determined
protest.
On receipt of this report from Jewett I had a conference with the British and
German ambassadors in regard to the matter, and each of them promised active
cooperation in taking such steps as would insure protection to the Christian
population and the American schools and teachers in the disturbed district.
The German ambassador asked me for a copy of the report, which I gave him,
because he had been very willing to have the German consul at Amassia go to
Marsovan at the time of the burning of the college building and do
everything in his power for the protection of American interests at that
place, which, however, was not required, because of the arrival of our own
consul at Marsovan.
The minister of foreign affairs promises me such reports as he obtains from
Marsovan as soon as received by him. In the meantime I will instruct Jewett
to remain at Marsovan until the investigation is complete.
[Inclosure in No. 41.]
Mr. Jewett to Mr.
Hess.
Consulate of the United States at Sivas.
[undated].
No. 16.]
[Written at Marsovan.]
Sir: In accordance with my dispatch No. 15, I
left Sivas on the 7th instant and arrived here on the 12th.
I find affairs in a very critical condition, and much anxiety is felt by
the American citizens here.
Since the posting of inflammatory placards of January 5 there has existed
at Marsovan a state closely resembling that of siege. Hundreds of
arrests of Armenians have been made in this region. People do not dare
to open their shops. Trade is largely stopped. Houses are searched right
and left. The streets are patrolled night and day by large numbers of
police. Communication by letter and telegraph is largely prohibited.
Persons leaving the city are searched for letters. All this is
calculated to stir up excitement and lead to violence and all seems to
be done with an evil intent. Hosref Pasha, who was charged by the vali
to investigate affairs in a friendly way and to protect American
interests, seems to be acting in a contrary manner. There is plenty of
testimony reported that he has expressed great animosity toward the
college and has expressed also his determination to destroy it. Before
the burning of the college building such threats were reported, and
since then they have been repeated. Yesterday we learned on good
authority that there was an effort being made to get or compel Armenians
in large numbers to sign a paper stating that the college was the cause
of all the trouble, a hotbed of revoluionary ideas and must he
destroyed.
[Page 606]
In this connection I would state that at Amassia I was informed that the
chief of police of that city made the statement that he had no
confidence in the zapties sent there by Hosref
Pacha, because he knew they were sent there with instructions to set
fire, and his opinion was confirmed shortly after by an attempt at
burning the Government building.
Every means seems to be used to falsify the truth and make out a case
against the college teachers who were arrested and against the college.
We are told of the most corrupt means being used to manufacture evidence
to criminate the teachers, and to show that the placards were
manufactured at the college.
As far as I have been able to substantiate the facts, they are as
reported to the minister in the letter sent from here February 4.
It seems to me that there can be little improvement in the condition of
affairs until a change is made in the means and methods used in the
so-called investigations.
The facts, as reported to me by the vali at Sivas, as having been
reported to him, I believe to be false.
The attitude of the missionaries towards those making the investigation
has been most circumspect, judicious, and, so far as could be,
friendly.
The missionaries are fully loyal to the Government and want an honest and
fair investigation. They have not opposed the officers in the discharge
of their duty as has been represented to the vali, and they have stated
to the authorities that if any of their teachers had been guilty of
disloyalty to the Government or had been concerned in any revolutionary
scheme they should suffer the just penalty of their crimes.
The building which was burned was owned for the college in the name of
Dr. Melcom (the college physician or member of the faculty, and one of
the local board of directors) because he could get the land at a more
reasonable price than the Americans could and because he could obtain a
building permit more readily. There is reason to believe that the
purposes and real ownership of the building were well known to the
authorities.
Detailed plans of a school building were submitted to the proper
authorities when a building permit was asked for. Walls were built
incorporating the new purchase with the old college grounds. Building
supplies were brought through the college grounds and bought by the
college purchasing agent. A Government scribe applied to the
missionaries to sell them a water supply for the new building and the
malmudiri stated on the college grounds in the presence of several
witnesses that the building, although in the name of the doctor,
belonged to the college and was part of the college property.
I have not yet received the letter of the minister which he telegraphed
on the 7th he had sent me. I would be glad to have instructions as full
and detailed as possible.
I hope you will acquaint the minister with all the important facts
contained in my dispatches at your earliest convenience.
February 15.
A demand is made by the authorities for one of the employés, the
gate-keeper, whose domicile is on the college grounds. They claim that
they want simply to examine him, but there is little doubt that they
wish to get him into their hands and imprison him.
The kaimakam refused to promise that he would not be imprisoned.
It is currently reported that charges are made against him which are
unjust, unreasonable, and absurd. Knowing the malignity and unprincipled
character of the examiners, I think I shall be right in refusing to let
him be delivered up. I would like immediate instructions on this
point.
There is no doubt that the officers will try to make capital of the fact
that I oppose them, but I am of the opinion that I shall be right in
refusing to allow the arrest of any one residing on the college grounds
under the existing circumstances.
I send this despatch by special messenger in order to insure your
receiving it as soon as possible.
I am, etc.,
M. A. Jewett,
U. S. Consul.
