Mr. Terrell to Mr.
Olney.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, November 3,
1895. (Received Nov. 18.)
No. 660.]
Sir: I have the honor to inclose a copy of the
cipher telegram from you received November 1, and which was in response
to my telegram of the 30th ultimo, relating to the flagrant outrage
perpetrated and persisted in by the vali at Aleppo in his treatment of
our consular agent at that city in the case of Guedjian.
I also inclose my note (copy) of this date to His Excellency Said Pasha,
minister of foreign affairs, which I trust you may approve.
In this era of revolution and carnage some boldness in demanding not only
protection but respect is the only road for future security.
[Page 1316]
I feel confident that in a few days proper satisfaction will be given by
the Porte, which will result in rendering future diplomatic action less
embarrassing.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
660.]
Mr. Terrell to
Said Pasha.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, November 2, 1895.
No. 95.]
Sir: I telegraphed to my Government the
contents of my notes, Nos. 93 and 94, of the 28th and 29th of
October, and also of your note, general No. 16178, special No. 28,
of October 30. I afterwards informed my Government that the Turkish
authorities had arrested the supposed murderers of Lenz, the
American cyclist, and that his highness the grand vizier had given
to the British embassy and to Mr. Gargiulo assurances for the
protection of Americans who are engaged in distributing relief to
the poor in Sassoun, which has been furnished from Great
Britain.
These acts are regarded by the United States as manifesting so
friendly a spirit on the part of the Turkish Government as to render
unnecessary at present a demand for my passports.
I am, however, instructed to inform the Government of Turkey that the
United States has a right to expect prompt answers to my complaints,
and at the same time to express its confidence that your answers
will be prompted by a spirit of justice and will be
satisfactory.
I therefore again invite the attention of your excellency to my
various notes regarding the flagrant conduct of the vali at Aleppo
in the case of Guedjian, one of which was addressed to your
excellency on the 23d of October, and a copy of which is inclosed
for your convenience.
I also inclose copies of my unanswered notes regarding the sad death
of George Webber, an American citizen, who was arrested on suspicion
while journeying as a pilgrim to Jerusalem, taken in chains to
Brusa, and who died from brutal treatment while under arrest.
A former answer, that Webber went to Brusa and there died, is not
satisfactory. I can not doubt that the uniform and friendly policy
of my Government, which so carefully avoids all interference with
the administration of the internal affairs of the Ottoman
Government, except when it may become necessary to protect American
citizens and their interests, is appreciated by your excellency.
I therefore indulge the hope that your excellency will be pleased to
furnish such an answer to my demands before made in the cases of
Webber and Guedjian as will satisfy my Government.
Receive, etc.,
[Inclosure 2 in No.
660.—Translation.]
Said Pasha to Mr.
Terrell.
Sublime Porte,
Ministry of Foreign
Affairs,
October 30,
1895.
Mr. Envoy: I have had the honor to receive
the two notes, numbered 93 and 94, respectively, dated day before
yesterday and yesterday, concerning the case of Melcoun
Guedjian.
[Page 1317]
As the different previous communications of your excellency on this
subject had been addressed to the grand vizierate,1 I could only
take cognizance of the last, consequently I was obliged to refer to
the grand vizier, who told me that, in conformity with what had then
been agreed upon in the interview which he had had on the subject
with you, the governor-general of the Yilayet of Aleppo had been
directed by telegraph to send the above-mentioned individual to
Constantinople.
Having the honor to inform you of what precedes,
I take, etc.,
