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.

Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, December 10, 1895. (Received Dec. 28.)

No. 714.]

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Nos. 673, 674, and 675, all of the 22d ultimo, the last one of which refers to the condition of affairs in Turkey and of the withdrawal of missionaries from the Sassoun district. The question of their withdrawal has, at all times, been left to their own discretion. They seem to have decided upon remaining, being doubtless to some extent encouraged by my repeated telegraphic assurances that the Sultan and the Porte were pledged for their safety and protection.

But the mysterious power of religious fanaticism may be stronger when excited in the wild Moslems of the interior than any central authority here.

My repeated demands for telegraphic orders since March last were not made because of any distrust of the intentions of the Porte, but for the effect on officials in the interior, who, being frequently ordered, might be thus impressed.

I have, etc.,

A. W. Terrell.