Mr. Adee to Mr.
Terrell.
Department
of State,
Washington, July 31,
1893.
No. 28.]Sir: I inclose herewith copy of a letter received
from the corresponding secretary of the Foreign Christian Missionary Society
of Cincinnati, Ohio, in relation to the case of Garabed Kevorkian, a
missionary of that society in Marsovan, who, it is stated, is subjected to
annoyances at the hands of the Turkish authorities.
You are instructed to investigate and report upon this case; but if it should
develop, as appears by Mr. McLean’s letter, that Mr. Kevorkian has merely
declared his intention to become a citizen and then returned to his native
land without perfecting his naturalization, he is
[Page 652]
not a citizen of the United States, and therefore not
entitled to claim protection as such. If, however, Mr. Kevorkian Is a
regularly employed native agent of an American missionary or educational
enterprise, and his treatment should appear to be in prejudice of the
legitimate operations of his employers, your good offices may be employed to
cause the cessation of such interference or annoyance.
I am, etc.,
Alvey A. Adee,
Acting Secretary.
[Inclosure in No. 28.]
Mr. McLean to Mr.
Gresham.
Foreign
Christian Missionary Society,
Cincinnati Ohio, July
24, 1893. (Received July
28.)
Dear Sir: This society has a missionary in
Turkey who is in trouble. His name is Garabed Kevorkian, of Marsovan. He
is an Armenian by birth, but is an American citizen. He signified his
intention to become an American citizen in 1865. He has been at work in
Marsovan since 1884. During all these years the American legation and
the Turkish Government recognized his American citizenship. Recently,
however, both the legation and the Porte have refused to recognize his
American citizenship. Owing to the fact that the Turkish Government
seems determined to annoy, if not to oust, all missionaries, this is for
him a serious matter. If the authorities are acting according to the
provisions of treaties, we have nothing to say. But if they are not and
if anything can be done by you to protect a worthy man from needless
annoyance this society will be very grateful for your good offices.
Very respectfully,
A. McLean,
Corresponding Secretary.
