Mr. Terrell to Mr.
Olney.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, November 28,
1895. (Received Dec. 13.)
No. 695.]
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith copy
of a telegram received from Rev. Mr. Lee, at Marash, announcing the
personal safety of the missionaries and the burning of the school of
science in that place; also copy of a telegram from Bev. Mr. Fuller, at
Aintab, informing me that he was safe, sent on the 23d and received on
the 27th instant; and copy of a telegram from Bev. Mr. Barnum, at
Harpoot, sent and received yesterday, announcing details of loss of
missionary property burned by Koords and citizens in the presence of
Turkish soldiers.
I also inclose a copy of my telegram sent last night, informing you of
the contents of telegrams above referred to and my contemplated action
thereon.
A memorial already received at the Porte from Armenian residents at
Harpoot, charging that missionary teaching has corrupted their young
men, caused dissensions and strife, and praying for their removal, has
not been officially announced to me. The methods of terrorism by which
provincial rulers secure signatures to such memorials divest this one of
importance, except as indicating the policy of getting rid of
missionaries by burning them out and securing their departure by
intimidation. I call your attention to the fact as being suggestive that
[Page 1357]
soldiers, though
protecting missionaries, looked on while rioters set lire to their
buildings. I therefore sent to the Porte at once my note No. 100, of the
27th instant, a copy of which is inclosed, in which I enumerated my
various efforts to secure protection during the past nine months and
suggested the propriety of an irade to rebuild before I should be
instructed to demand it.
* * * * * * *
Much apprehension of a general massacre of Christians here is still felt
by residents. The treaty of Raris, by closing the Dardanelles to war
vessels of over 800 tons, leaves our people here deprived of any aid
from our Mediterranean ships. The great Powers which each keep one boat
here are endeavoring to obtain consent to have each another.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
695—Telegram.]
Mr. Lee to Mr.
Terrell.
Marash, November 21,
1895. (Received Nov. 26.)
After events had commenced and the school of science burned eight
hours later protection came, and up to this moment protection
continues. We are quiet.
[Inclosure 2 in No.
695.—Telegram.]
Mr. Fuller to Mr.
Terrell.
Aintab, November 23,
1895. (Received Nov. 27.)
Under the shadow of His Majesty we are all quiet.
[Inclosure 3 in No.
695.—Telegram.]
Mr. Barnum to Mr.
Terrell.
Harpoot, November 27,
1895.
Allen, Browne, Wheeler, ladies’ and five garden houses destroyed,
also chapel, boarding hall, Girls’ Theological Seminary building,
$44,000; personal, $33,000; stock and apparatus, $11,000; total,
$88,000. Buildings set on fire separately by Koords and citizens in
presence of soldiers. No Armenian rioters. One hundred soldiers
quartered on premises now. Confidence weak.
[Inclosure 4 in No.
695.]
Mr. Terrell to
Tevfik Pasha.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, November 27, 1895.
Sir: It becomes my duty to remind your
excellency that in my note, 53, of the 12th of March, 1895, I
demanded of your predecessor orders for the protection of all
American citizens who reside in Turkey.
[Page 1358]
Threatened disturbances seemed to require
such a precaution. Seven times since that date, and once on the very
day when the reforms granted by His Majesty were announced, I have,
by written note to your predecessors, demanded like protection. On
each occasion my notes were delivered in person, and were
accompanied with a verbal demand that rigid orders should be
telegraphed to every chief military and civil functionary in the
Empire for the protection of all American missionaries and of their
property.
On each occasion a compliance with my demand was promised by your
predecessors and by former grand viziers. Those demands, first made
when tranquillity existed, were deemed necessary. I feared the
turbulent resentment of the Moslem population over enforced reforms
demanded by the great powers of Europe, and by which it was proposed
to place arms in the hands of a race long subjugated, and which it
was known were already preparing for revolution. My fears were well
founded.
While the United States has been careful to avoid all interference
with the internal administration of the Ottoman Empire, except when
required for the protection of her citizens, and our missionaries
have been equally careful, evil-disposed persons have charged that
American missionaries encouraged sedition. This charge is false, and
its falsehood should be known to the Porte. Nearly two years ago
your predecessor, Said Pasha, obtained a Moslem guard to protect
American missionaries at Marsovan against Armenian revolutionists.
That guard still protects them against threatened assassination by
those revolutionists. The Porte provided or at least promised a
guard to protect American missionaries in the provinces of Aleppo
and Adana.
Notwithstanding the repeated promises of the Porte for efficient
protection of American missionaries, their houses were recently
burned by riotous subjects of His Majesty at Harpoot and Marash, in
the presence and with the knowledge of His Majesty’s soldiers, who
made no effort to prevent it.
I have absolute knowledge of the manner in which the burning at both
places occurred, and who did the burning.
Your excellency can not fail to understand that if the Ottoman
Government disapproved of destruction of American property at
Harpoot and Marash (which I can not doubt) that fact could best be
shown by the prompt issuance of a firman to rebuild the burned
houses before instructions from Washington shall require me to
demand it.
At an early day my formal demand for immediate payment of the loss
caused by destruction of property at Harpoot and Marash will be
presented to the Porte.
Receive, etc.,
