Department of State,
Washington, January 31,
1895.
No. 340.]
[Inclosure in No. 340.]
Mr. Judson Smith
to Mr. Gresham.
American Board of Commissioners for Foreign
Missions,
Boston,
Mass., January 29,
1895. (Received Jan. 30.)
Sir: Recent letters from Constantinople
have brought information of the immediate and effective action taken
by Judge Terrell in reference to the police molestation suffered by
Rev. L. O. Lee, one of our missionaries at Marash, Turkey. From
these advices it appears that the communications which Judge Terrell
made to the grand vizier, and also to his Imperial Majesty the
Sultan, secured a reprimand of the officials who had violated the
right of domicile, and the adoption by the Porte of immediate
measures to prevent the further molestation of the Americans
resident at Marash. Although no serious injury of any kind resulted
from the illegal action of the Turkish officials in this case, yet
it was so clear a violation of the rights of domicile as to make the
action taken in regard to it of the utmost importance both for this
case and for the precedent thus established.
It appears from the very full statement of the case which has come to
my hand, and which was placed before the United States legation at
Constantinople, that this act involved a violation of the right of
domicile in at least four points: (1) The entrance of the police
upon the premises of Mr. Lee without permission, they taking
advantage of the outer gate being accidentally open; (2) the
retention of the police in the premises for several hours and until
after nightfall; (3) the act of the acting governor in response to
Mr. Lee’s protest in sending other officers to enter the house and
examine the box; (4) the seizure of the box in Mr. Lee’s house by
these officers against Mr. Lee’s protest. No crime was charged, no
word was sent to the nearest American consul, and in other ways the
illegal and extraordinary nature of the performance is very
marked.
We feel very grateful that Judge Terrell has dealt with this matter
so energetically and successfully, and are assured that the security
of our missionaries at Marash and in all that region will be the
greater because of this efficient and satisfactory action.
With highest regard, etc.,
Judson Smith,
Foreign Secretary A. B. C. F. M.