Mr. Gresham to Mavroyeni Bey.
Department of State, January 30, 1895.
Sir: I have the honor to state that I learn by a recent dispatch from the minister of the United States at Constantinople yon are said to have advised your Government that the Armenians in this country have requested the Government of the United States to furnish them arms, with permission for military drill, in order that they may prepare themselves for a contest with Turkey.
Your long residence in the United States, and your opportunity to know the true relation of this Government toward its citizens in such matters, incline me to withhold credence from this absurd and impossible statement.
Before, however, replying to Mr. Terrell’s dispatch in this regard, it seems proper to afford you an opportunity to make such statement in the case as you may see fit.
Accept, etc.,