Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President, Transmitted to Congress December 2, 1895, Part II
Mr. Terrell to Mr. Olney.
Constantinople, November 22, 1895. (Received Dec. 7.)
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith for your information translation of a letter from Mr. Poche, consular agent at Aleppo, and also copies of letters which were inclosed in Mr. Poche’s communication relating to recent disturbances in the province of Aleppo.
I have, etc.,
Mr. Poche to Mr. Terrell.
Sir: The lack of reliable news prevents me from giving you a full account of the bloody scenes which have taken place at Zeitoun, Marash, Ourfa, and Diarbekir. I therefore confine myself to sending your excellency copies of letters from Rev. A. Fuller, dated the 28th and 31st ultimo, and also a copy of a letter from Miss Shattuck from Ourfa, addressed to her friends in Aintab.
The 30th ultimo I had the honor to address your excellency the following telegram:
Serious trouble Marash, Zeitoun, Ourfa. Rumored dead and wounded. For four days Marash Christians shut up in their houses. Details lacking. Our citizens safe up to the present. Here and at Aintab excitement and fears.
The hasty mobilization of reserves sent to Zeitoun has caused alarm in that town and fear is great.
Day before yesterday, during the night, four boxes of sporting guns coming from Damascus to a Christian merchant here were stopped. This incident happening after the seizure of arms offered publicly for sale in the bazaars and after the events I have mentioned above has caused great excitement. A crowd of about 5,000 men was on the point of attacking the Christians, but thanks to the skillful, prompt, and energetic intervention of the commandant, Edhem Pasha, the crowd was dispersed and calm restored. People are excited, and it would need only a slight change in the attitude of the Government for Aleppo to become the theater of scenes even more bloody than those which have taken place in the vilayet. The military commandant is very vigilant.
The sending of the Marblehead to remain at Alexandretta may have great influence for the protection of the lives of our citizens who are in danger.
I have, etc.,
Mr. Fuller to Mr. Poche.
Dear Mr. Poche: An Armenian gentleman who has been acting as military physician at Marash has just arrived and gives me the following facts in regard to the situation at that point, which I hasten to communicate:
On Wednesday, October 23, a quarrel arose between a Christian and Moslem—both of them of lowest sort—in which the Moslem was stabbed, and died of his wound Friday morning. Yery soon after, one of the dead man’s friends raised a quarrel with a Christian butcher, and calling Moslems to his aid began to beat him; upon this a great uproar arose and on every side men were running about in fear and excitement; a great many collisions occurred, and Christians were soon driven from the market and large numbers of them severely beaten, and any that were found to have arms were imprisoned, etc.
Since that time the markets have been closed, and Christians can not appear on the streets with any safety. On Friday evening there was a riot at Karaman and many Christians beaten and wounded. Garabed Ogha Topolian was murdered on the outstreets of the city and his body horribly disfigured. Since then the city is in the hands of soldiers, but everywhere is terror and anxiety. He does not know how many people have been killed, but thinks not many. No Moslems are being arrested, and Moslem villages on the road between Marash and Aintab were wild with the idea that the time to kill giaours had come.
Very sincerely,
This news is of course making great disquiet here, but we hope it will [subside].
Mr. Fuller to Mr. Poche.
Dear Mr. Poche: Yesterday I forwarded to you by special messenger a letter from Miss Shattuek, relating to the riot which has occurred in Ourfa. To-day I send another sai with a copy of the same letter to Mr. Barnham, and this I sent by mail; all this is simply to make sure that the facts reach you. The account given by the messenger himself is simply horrible, and indicates that the Christians of the city are given up to pillage. I do not, however, credit all his wild stories. The moutessarif, it seems, was out of town. A considerable number of redifs left here last night for Ourfa or Marash. News from Marash indicates order restored in the city, but serious and continued troubles in Zeitoun. The report that seems most likely to be trustworthy is that Zeitounlis attacked and besieged the fort and cut off the water supply, and that the soldiers are bombarding the city. So far Aintab has had no serious riot, but popular feeling is intensely agitated, and a very slight accident may easily precipitate an outbreak. It is said that the Government is preparing to search Christian houses for arms. This would almost certainly bring on collision and bloodshed. Can you not make sure that such a thing be not attempted in the present excited state of feelings? Mr. Sanders is expected here Saturday. Dr. Shepard has gone to Scandaroun to accompany Mrs. Mardin.
Hoping and praying you may remain in health and safety,
Very sincerely, yours,
Miss Shattuck to friends.
Dear Friends: I have but a few minutes, as messengers are waiting. A terrible uprising has taken place among the Moslems.
Disturbances began yesterday afternoon (Sabbath). A Christian was murdered, then a Moslem, etc. At midnight we were all aroused by the firing of guns near us. About 8.30 or 9 o’clock to-day, in regions very near us, pillage and murder commenced, and has kept up all day. The soldiers do not try to quell it. We know not all facts as to degree, but all the markets are said to be completely pillaged. We have armed men (Christians) about our premises, and trust our Father to spare our lives, yet we know not what an hour may bring forth. God spare you and all of us.
Telegrams are not sent to-day.