Mr. Terrell to Mr.
Gresham.
[Extract.]
Legation of
the United States,
Constantinople, November 27, 1893.
(Received December 15.)
No. 114.]
Sir: My telegram of the 25th instant, a copy of
which will be found in dispatch No. 113, was made necessary by the
interference of the Sultan with my arrangement at the Porte for the humane
treatment of returning natives of the Ottoman Empire who bear your
passports.
That arrangement being verbal, I attempted ineffectually to have it
recognized in writing. My last note to his excellency Said Pasha will be
found inclosed, and also the answer of the grand vizier, Djevad, to Whom I
inclosed a copy of that note to Said Pasha.
While awaiting a confirmation of the agreement for humane treatment of
returning Armenians, I was advised of the imprisonment of a young native of
Marsovan, at Sansoum, for 22 days. He had just returned, with a passport as
a citizen of the United States, from Chicago. On my demand he was released
and brought here.
A notice conveyed to the Porte that indemnity would be demanded for the
wanton imprisonment of any man entitled to an$ Rearing a passport would, in
my opinion, prevent much suffering.
[Page 706]
If your answer to my telegram authorizes notice that indemnity will be
demanded I will give that notice only after every effort has been used to
induce the adoption of a humane policy.
The absence of a treaty of naturalization, and the great number of Armenians
in the United States whose return is dreaded, makes my position more
difficult than that of other representatives here, but I am confident that
in some way I will solve the trouble, amicably.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 114.]
Mr. Terrell to
Said Pasha.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, November 20,
1893.
Your Excellency: I informed your excellency on
the 14th instant that if the Government of his Imperial Majesty could
compel your police officers to take before a consul or a consular agent
of my Government Armenians who return to the Ottoman Empire with
passports from the United States, and would give them a few days’ rest,
my Government would not protest if you expelled them from the Empire. If
they refuse to leave, then, and not before, they may be imprisoned, not
as a punishment, but to compel their departure. I requested your
approval of this just arrangement in writing, and have not received it,
though you gave it verbally. Both Governments claim authority over that
class of men, and the arrangement I proposed seems just until a
naturalization treaty can be made.
This proposition was made from a respect for the desire of the Government
of his Imperial Majesty that Armenians returning from New York should be
excluded as a suspected class, and it contains nothing that can benefit
the United States. If you accept the proposition be pleased to inform me
in writing, that I may give corresponding instructions to consuls, and
if from any cause the arrangement proposed does not now meet your
approval be pleased to inform me.
I must insist that the passports of persons returning from America who
are claimed as subjects of his Imperial Majesty shall be respected. If
they refuse to depart after the delay we may agree upon, the consuls
will take their passports from them or cooperate with your police to
compel their departure.
I avail, etc.,
[Inclosure 2 in No.
114.—Translation.]
The Grand Vizier to Mr.
Terrell.
Office
of the Grand Vizier,
November 26, 1893.
Mr. Envoy: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt, with its inclosure, of the letter which your excellency has
been pleased to address to me.
The subject which you mention is under consideration at the council of
ministers, and I will not fail to communicate the result of our
deliberations. Please accept, etc.,
