Mr. Terrell to Mr.
Olney.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, December 10,
1895. (Received Dec. 28.)
No. 716.]Sir: I have the honor to inclose the copy of a
letter from Admiral Selfridge, inclosing a copy of his letter to the
vali of Aleppo, in which he repeats my warning often before given here
to the Porte, that Turkey would be held responsible for the safety of
American missionaries.
I inclose also a copy of my answer to Admiral Selfridge.
I am ignorant of the admiral’s instructions, but must presume that his
action above referred to was only intended to emphasize the action
already taken by your Department on the same subject. The vali of Aleppo
had already been removed on my demand.
If it has been deemed best for the Department of the Navy to secure
American interests by opening correspondence with provincial governors
through its admirals, it would seem but proper that the representative
of your Department here should be informed of the scope and limits of
his authority.
I have forwarded to Admiral Selfridge a cipher prepared by myself for
future correspondence, and hope to be able to visit and confer with him
when he reaches Smyrna.
I could now leave, since no massacres have been reported since the 1st
instant.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
716.]
Admiral Selfridge
to Mr. Terrell.
U.
S. Flagship San Francisco,
Alexandretta, Syria, November 30, 1895.
Sir: Information has this day been received
by me of the burning and plundering of the American missionary
station at Marash, in the vilayet of Aleppo. I have written a letter
to the vali of Aleppo concerning that affair and herewith inclose to
you a copy of the translation of that letter, which was in
French.
In this connection, allow me to urge that measures be taken to obtain
as speedily as possible the confirmation of the appointment of Mr.
Daniel Walker as United States consular agent at Alexandretta, in
order that proper recognition may be given him by the local Turkish
authorities.
Very respectfully,
Thos. O. Selfridge,
Rear-Admiral, U. S. N.
[Page 1386]
[Inclosure 2 in No.
716.]
Admiral Selfridge
to the Vali of Aleppo.
U.
S. Cruiser San Francisco,
Alexandretta, Syria, November 30, 1895.
Sir: From reliable information, I learn
that all the buildings belonging to the American mission at Marash
have been burned and plundered.
It can not be unknown to your excellency that the American
missionaries are peace-abiding men, and their works of charity
toward the Turkish nation through their hospitals and schools for
the cause of humanity should entitle them to the protection and care
of the Turkish authorities.
But beyond this, the safety of these American missionary stations,
their persons and property, are guaranteed by solemn treaty between
the United States of America and Turkey.
It becomes my duty as commander in chief of the United States naval
forces to remind your excellency of the fact that the United States
will hold your Government to a strict responsibility for all
infractions of the treaty between it and Turkey.
I feel assured that you will take all necessary measures to give
immediate and efficient protection to all Americans who reside
within your jurisdiction.
I have, etc.,
Thos. O. Selfridge,
Rear-Admiral, U. S. N.
[Inclosure 3 in No.
716.]
Mr. Terrell to
Admiral Selfridge.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, December 10, 1895.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of yours of the 30th ultimo, dated at Alexandretta,
inclosing your letter of the same date to His Excellency Mustapha
Zihni Pasha, vali of Aleppo.
Your notice that Turkey would be held responsible for the safety of
all missionaries within her territory will doubtless have a good
effect. The same notice has been given to the central Government
here by myself on several occasions since February last. I have
obtained all necessary information on which to base the claim of the
United States for indemnity on account of incendiary destruction of
the property of American citizens at Marash and Harpoot. The claim
will be presented as soon as I have specific instructions from the
State Department. * * *
It is therefore deemed important that a means should be afforded to
enable us to correspond by cipher through telegraph, and that I be
informed from time to time of your anchorage. A cipher was mailed to
you by last mail.
There is no news of massacres in the interior since the 1st
instant.
I have, etc.,
