Mr. Terrell to Mr. Olney.
Constantinople , October 3, 1895 . (Received Oct. 18.)
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that a reign of terror has existed here for three days among the Armenian population, and fears are yet entertained that all Christian races here are in danger from Moslem fanaticism.
Some days ago an anonymous letter was sent to the grand vizier, informing him that on Monday, the 30th of September, a large number of Armenians would walk to the Sublime Porte to petition for redress of grievances, unless they met with resistance. I am informed that the Porte notified the Armenian patriarch of the incident, and that he was expected to prevent the assemblage of Armenians at the Porte, failing in which he would be held responsible for consequences. To this the patriarch is reported to have returned answer that he would attempt to prevent the assemblage, but that he, who had in vain attempted to present the grievances of his race, should not be held responsible, but rather the Turkish officials who refused them justice.
On the morning of the 30th ultimo, during divine service at the patriarchate, the patriarch advised the people to exercise patience and prudence. A young man present rose and rebuked the prelate, when, during much excitement, the patriarch entered his residence and shut himself up against the intrusion of the crowd.
The men of the assembly there, numbering several hundred, moved in the direction of the Porte, which was perhaps 1 mile distant, the palace of the patriarch being in the Armenian quarter.
At about the same time two other large bodies of Armenians moved from other portions of the Armenian quarter on the Porte.
Uniting not far from the burnt column of Constantine, the Armenians had reached a point within a few hundred paces of the Porte when the police attempted to stop their progress. A conflict ensued, in which pistols were freely used by the Armenians. Here a Turkish officer with [Page 1319] the rank of major was killed, and several of the police were slain. Which side did the first killing is involved in doubt, but the prevailing belief is that it was the Armenian. Opinions vary also as to the number slain, which is variously estimated at from 15 to 50. The exact number will never be known.
Tuesday, October 1, passed without tumult save in two localities, at each of which an Armenian was killed with sticks and stones by the Turkish rabble.
Tuesday night violence was renewed, and about 25 Armenian laborers who occupied a khan were butchered by the Turkish rabble in their quarters with sticks and knives. After entering they closed the door and excluded the police. About 50 were slain also in a khan in Stamboul. In both instances their bodies were carted away during the night. Two others were killed near a Protestant school in Stamboul, and 7 Armenians were killed in Scutari, opposite Stamboul.
It is estimated that from 800 to 1,000 Armenian prisoners were taken on Monday and Tuesday, who were armed with new six-shooters of a uniform pattern. An attaché of the embassy reports that I Armenian prisoners were killed at the police headquarters with bayonets while he was there.
On Wednesday morning I learned that Mrs. Newell, an American lady, and Mrs. Shishmanyan, also an American, who teach school in the midst of the Armenian quarter of Stamboul, were in great fear. I crossed the Golden Horn and drove at once to their houses. After entering the Armenian quarter every house was found closed during a drive of a mile, and no one was seen on the streets except the turbaned ulemas or priests and squads of soldiers. No wheeled vehicle was seen anywhere, but at every window I saw the faces of Armenian men and women anxiously looking as I passed.
After assuring the American ladies of such protection as I could offer, I went at once to the minister of police and demanded efficient protection for these ladies and the Americans with them, and for all Americans in the city and in Scutari, which was promised.
To-day I renewed my demand on the foreign minister for telegraphic orders to all provinces in the Empire for the protection of Americans, a copy of which is inclosed.
To-morrow may see a renewal of trouble on a larger scale, since the revolutionary leaders who are known to have planned the movement on the Porte have provided for another demonstration to-morrow on the palace. I am informed by an intelligent Armenian that 500 revolutionists armed with pistols are confined in an Armenian church in Stamboul, and have been two days without food. Several hundred of this race have taken refuge in other churches.
I am also informed that on Sunday last 5,000 Armenian men partook of the sacrament in the various churches here, preparatory to the events of Monday.
The ambassadors have sent a note to the palace, which was shown me by the British ambassador last night, urging the necessity for immediate action to prevent further bloodshed, and that former demands should be granted.
The outlook is not encouraging for peaceful times, but if the troops (of which there are 20,000 or 30,000 at hand) can be prevented from fraternizing with the priests and mob order may be preserved.
I have, etc.,