Whether there is real danger, or the missionaries are dupes of
revolutionists, it is impossible for me to know. You were therefore
informed by telegram both of the apprehended danger and of the assurance
from the Porte that the missionaries are secure.
I know the missionaries are suspected as being in sympathy with sedition,
and therefore have reason to fear that they may be in danger.
[Inclosure in No
462.—Translation.]
Saïd Pasha to Mr.
Terrell.
Sublime Porte,
Ministry of Foreign
Affairs,
March 14,
1895.
Mr. Envoy: I have received the note your
excellency was good enough to address to me on the 12th of this
month, regarding information received at your legation of the
attitude of Mussulmans at Aintab, Marash, Hadjin, and Arfa.
Permit me, Mr. Envoy, to state once more that these reports, invented
by our traducers in an evidently ill-disposed spirit, have no
serious foundation. As your excellency knows, similar reports have
been
[Page 1241]
spread of the fate
of Christians in certain provinces of the Empire, which have been
immediately contradicted, not only by the Imperial authorities, but
also by impartial parties.
The measures adopted by the Imperial authorities amply guarantee
public order and tranquility, so that no apprehension can be
entertained by American citizens. Nevertheless, in consequence of
the above-mentioned note of your excellency, telegraphic
communications have been sent to the said authorities recommending
them again to enforce the application of these measures.
The Imperial Government, conscious of its duties, has always
scrupulously watched over the protection of all the inhabitants of
the Empire, native and foreign alike.
The broad hospitality extended to American missionaries in Turkey,
and the liberty allowed them in the exercise of their duties, is an
evident proof thereof.
If sometimes questions of common right, or irregularities occur, they
have been isolated cases, such as might occur in any country in the
world.
The Imperial authorities, as soon as informed of such cases, have
always hastened to take the necessary steps to punish the offenders
and redress the wrongs.
Under the circumstances, I trust the American missionaries, on their
side, will abstain from all acts which might assist the subversive
tendencies of the agitators.
Accept, etc.,
