Mr. Thompson to Mr. Gresham.
Constantinople, April 27, 1893, (Received May 11.)
Sir: I have the honor to report for your information the receipt of a communication from U. S. Consul Jewett, of Sivas, stating that at last he has received all my dispatches connected with the Marsovan incident, the nondelivery of which is referred is in my No. 41.
These dispatches have been more than a month on the way from here to Marsovan, a distance of about 300 miles. I had earnestly protested to his excellency the minister of foreign affairs and his highness the grand vizier in regard to the delay, and they promised me all assistance possible, and I now feel assured they took hold of the matter seriously. The letters sent me by Consul Jewett are also all accounted for. This nonarrival and delivery of mail matter caused me much apprehension as to the dangerous position of our American interests at Marsovan and was the cause of my sending Mr. Newberry to the scene of action. Permit me to state that Mr. Newberry, in carrying out my instructions, acted with rare judgment and tact. He found the Turkish officials and population bitterly opposed to the college, [Page 631] they (the former) believing that the college was the seat of a revolutionary movement.
This feeling was entirely allayed, a friendly mutual understanding was arrived at, and all parties at Marsovan expressed themselves as perfectly satisfied with the result.
Mr. Newberry’s representations to me led me to suggest the removal of a number of incompetent Turkish officials and that a general amnesty be given to political prisoners.
In this connection I have great pleasure in stating that His Majesty the Sultan, together with his high officials, received these suggestions in the spirit in which they were given. A general change of local administration has taken place in Marsovan, and a full pardon has been given to some 700 political prisoners. Personal letters from the Americans of Marsovan show that the situation is perfect and that general satisfaction reigns. I have the same assurances from the missionary board of this city.
I have, etc.,