Mr. Thompson to Mr.
Gresham.
Legation of
the United States,
Constantinople, March 22, 1893.
(Received April 10.)
No. 58.]
Sir: I have the honor to transmit to you a copy of
a letter received by the legation from Consul Jewett at Marsovan. I had sent
to Consul Jewett four copies of instructions for conducting the
investigation into the troubles at Marsovan which caused the burning of the
building belonging to the Anatolian College, at that place, by incendiaries
on the night of February 3, all of which have failed to reach him. I have
sent to him telegrams also, which are not delivered to him. I have protested
against the interference with my mails en route to Consul Jewett (all of
which I feel certain occur at Marsovan) to his excellency the minister for
foreign affairs and his highness the Grand Vizier who I feel quite sure are
trying to correct the unfortunate state of affairs at that place, and they
have promised to have the matter investigated and the guilty parties who
tamper with the mails punished.
Being unable to establish communication with Consul Jewett, I called on his
excellency, the minister for foreign affairs, and informed him I intended to
dispatch the secretary of this legation, Mr. Newberry, to Marsovan, to aid
Consul Jewett in his investigations, and to include in his investigations
the truth or falsity of the charges contained in the “note verbale” a copy
of which I transmitted to you in my No.
[Page 621]
53, of March 16, 1893, I also furnished Mr. dewberry a
copy of telegram of instructions sent to Consul Jewett, a copy of which I
have transmitted to you in my No. 53 of March 16.
I now transmit to you for your information a copy of my instructions to Mr.
Newberry, for his government, and to say in addition thereto that Djemal
Bey, an attaché of the foreign office of the Ottoman Government, has gone
with Mr. Newberry to Marsovan to assist in the investigation. Mr. Newberry
will arrive in Marsovan perhaps to-morrow.
It had been intimated that the acting U. S. consular agent at Samsoun, Asia
Minor, knew something about the circulating of the revolutionary placards
which were posted over a large district of Asia Minor on the night of
January 6, of which the Department was informed by me in my No. 17, of
January 25, 1893, and which Mr. Newberry was instructed to inquire into and
report on.
On yesterday, March 21, I received the following telegram from Mr. Newberry
at Samsoun:
Samsoun, March 21.
Thompson, American Minister, Constantinople:
I would recommend immediate dismissal of our consular agent for
receiving from abroad incendiary placards for interior distribution.
He begged to be retained until after Marsovan incident is settled,
fearing to be called for examination.
Newberry.
I have, since receiving the above dispatch, received the following dispatch:
Samsoun, March 21.
Thompson, American Minister, Pera:
Consular agent has resigned and turned over all Government property
to Jewett. I have obtained possession of all books destined for
missions which, have been here in custom-house and forwarded to
order. This cleans up all matters here.
Please wire me if you approve action so far.
Newberry.
I have telegraphed to Newberry as follows:
Newberry, Samsoun:
Your action approved so far.
Thompson.
In relation to the acting U. S. consular agent at Samsoun I will add that he
has never been recognized by the Ottoman Government, but on the contrary it
has refused to recognize him as such consular agent, he being a Turkish
subject, and he has been refused permission to display the American flag
over his place of business where he maintains his office by the local
authorities.
I have been appealed to in regard to his being authorized to display the
American flag over his place of business, but have refused to do so until he
was officially recognized by the Ottoman Government.
I inclose copy of my letter No. 3, dated Februarys, 1893, to the
consul-general on this subject.
I have given as plainly as I can the reasons for sending the secretary of
legation, Mr. Newberry, to Marsovan with instructions to investigate the
whole subject of the difficulties at that place.
I hope my action may be approved, and I await instructions from you.
I have, etc.,
[Page 622]
[Inclosure 1 in No. 58.]
Mr. Jewett to Mr.
Thompson.
Consulate of the United States at Sivas,
Marsovan, March
11, 1893.
Sir: I have not received any letter from you.
Our condition of suspense and anxiety is very trying. No material change
has taken place in the local situation.
It is said the kaimakam and the kadi have become disgusted with the
conduct of affairs here and have reported to that effect. Other
officials are using the most vile, blasphemous, and outrageous talk
against the Protestants as a class and the missionaries in particular,
and are stirring a feeling of bitter hatred against them. Talk of
killing off the Ghiaours is made constantly and is not reassuring. On
March 8 an incident occurred which the officers have been quick to seize
upon and by greatly falsifying it are endeavoring to make capital out of
it. Some students were out in a field near the college and got into a
quarrel with a shepherd. Some Turks came running up and soon there was a
general fight with sticks and stones. My cavass heard the row and went
out. He saw a burly Turk beating some of the hoys of the school with an
ox goad, and heard one of the Turks say, “Don’t beat him; kill him.” He
took the fellow with the ox goad, brought him into the college yard,
shut him up in a room, and reported to me. In a few minutes the employés
of the fellow came and guaranteed he would keep the peace, and he was
sent off. The officers report that the students stole a sheep, attacked
the Turks, seriously injured several of them, and that the consul is
putting Turks in prison. It was a simple, boyish quarrel, but at this
time an unfortunate incident, because the officers are using every means
to create a feeling against us.
March 3 I telegraphed to you in English words written in Turkish
characters, “Have you received dispatch No. 3? Have received no
dispatches from you.” I have received no answer to that telegram.
March 9 I telegraphed “Have received no answer to my telegram of the 3d,
and none of your letters sent by post have arrived. Answer by
telegraph.” No answer has been received (5 o’clock p.m.). If you can not
open communication by the ordinary means would it not be best to employ
a private hearer of dispatches or adopt some other sure means of
communication? I scarcely need add we hope vigorous action is being
taken although we are wholly in the dark as to what is being done for
improving the present unpleasant situation and that soon our anxiety may
he relieved.
I am, etc.,
M. A. Jewett,
U. S. Consul.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 58.]
Mr. Thompson to Mr.
Newberry.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, March 18,
1893.
Sir: You are hereby instructed to proceed by
the quickest route to Marsovan, Asia Minor, via Samsoun, to investigate
only—
- (1)
- The facts leading up and subsequent to and the cause of the
destruction by fire of the new unfinished girls’ school building
belonging to the Anatolian College, of Marsovan.
- (2)
- As to the truth or falsity of certain reports as contained in
a note to this legation from the ministry of foreign affairs,
dated March 14, 1893.
- (3)
- As to the truth or falsity of a charge made by the officers of
the Anatolian College that certain Turkish officials were
directly or indirectly concerned in the destruction of said
building by fire.
- (4)
- As to the truth or falsity of a charge made by the Turkish
Government that arms and ammunition are stored in the college
building in sufficient quantities as to be a menace to the
public safety.
- (5)
- You will also endeavor to ascertain the origin of certain
revolutionary placards which were posted in and about the town
of Marsovan on or about the night of January 5, 1893.
- (6)
- You will render your report in writing, and in making the
above investigation, so far as possible, act with Consul Jewett
under the instructions sent him, but to consider yourself as
superior in rank to the consul, and at the conclusion of your
investigation return at once to Constantinople.
[Page 623]
The following arrangements have been made and agreed to between the
minister for foreign affairs and myself:
You will have as assistant to you, and acting under your orders, Djemal
Bey, an official of the Turkish foreign, office.
The governor of Samsoun has been instructed to afford you every facility
of voyage, including a proper military escort from Samsoun to
Marsovan.
The governor of Marsovan has been instructed to provide suitable quarters
and rations for you and your suite while in Marsovan, and to afford all
assistance in his power in conducting the investigation.
Trusting to your own good judgment in any matters not covered by these
instructions,
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 3 in dispatch No.
58.]
Mr. Thompson to Mr.
Hess.
United
States Legation,
Constantinople, February 8,
1893.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge your No.
31, dated February 6, in which you call my attention to the action of
the mutessarif of Samsoun in refusing to recognize Mr. Arzoglou as U. S.
consular agent at that place, and his refusal to allow him to display
the American flag. I will say in reply that it appears that Mr. Arzoglou
is a Turkish subject and will not be recognized as consular agent at
Samsoun, and unless so recognized has no right to raise the American
flag if objected to by the Turkish authorities. If there is any proper
man at Samsoun not a Turkish subject he should be recommended.
I have, etc.,
