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, December 19, 1895. (Received Jan. 4, 1896.)
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith for your information copy of a letter received from Mardin, of date of November 25, 1895.
I have, etc.,
Copy of a letter from Mardin.
Troubles in these parts date from Friday, the 1st instant, when rioting began in Diarbekir after the noon prayers. Pillage and arson, at which Koords from outside assisted, followed—mainly of the markets—until Sabbath afternoon. Friday evening Koches Koords, fromTevika, adjoining Sassoon, and others, began an attack upon Kuttarbul, which is directly opposite to Diarbekir, on the east bank of the river. On the Sabbath means for defense failed and the 60 Christian houses were plundered and burned. Some 20 remained scattered and destitute. Saturday afternoon an attack upon Karobash was repulsed. A second attack, on the Sabbath, resulted in [Page 1409] killing some 70 villagers and the surrender of the village to plunder and burning—some 100 houses. This village is one hour east from Kutturbul
The Sabbath witnessed an attack upon Kaobequoi (one and a half hours south of Kulterbul), which was resisted for some six hours and then given over to plunder—about 150 houses. These three villages were mostly Syrian and Protestant families. Three pastors and one preacher were killed in them. The same day witnessed the taking and plunder of Chorikquoi, mainly a Chaldean village. The Chaldean priest, wife, and daughter were slain and young son carried captive. From Karobash and Kaobequoi many captives were taken—women and children—but the vali is very active in securing their return.
On Tuesday, November the 5th, Kulleth (150 houses, 90 Syrian and 60 Protestant), nine hours northeast from Mardin, was attacked, but the kaimakam of Soar helped the villagers hold the Koords at bay four days, when they withdrew from the stubborn contest. The Christian portion of Boffawa, three hours south from Kulleth, was attacked, taken, plundered, and burned during those same four days.
On Wednesday, the 6th instant, Tet Evmin (about 200 houses, 60 shops, and immense granaries), five hours southwest of Mardin and on the plain—Papal Armenians—was attacked. Thursday the church surrendered and was looted and the town burned. Abrahameyah was also taken (some 25 houses), plundered and burned.
On Thursday evening, the 7th instant, Ioeli (about 300 houses, Syrian, except 25 Papal Syrian and 10 Protestant houses), one and a half hours south of Mardin, was attacked. Church surrendered Friday at 10 a.m., after plundering and burning had gone on for five hours. Arms were surrendered and the people set free. Some 50 had been killed, some of them Protestants.
On Thursday afternoon, the 7th instant, Koords from the east surrounded the village of K. Morra and the strong stone monastery of Dere-ez.-Zoofevan. The latter is twenty minutes from the village, which is one hour east from Mardin. Most of the goods of the village had been stored in the village church and some Koords had been engaged to guard it. They were overpowered by the hosts of Koords, and the place was rifled. The villagers made stout resistance in the Dere until Monday, the 11th instant, when relieved by troops from Mardin. They are now, however, all paupers—between 400 and 500. Thursday, the 7th instant, witnessed also an attack— taking, sacking, and burning Benobeel (Syrian and Protestant, about 50 houses in all), which is two and a half hours east from Mardin. When the church surrendered most of those in it took refuge with those who had formerly fled to a strong cave in the side of a mountain All remained there until Sabbath noon on starvation rations of food and water until troops from Mardin raised the siege and brought them (300 in all) to the city, together with 19 prisoners and much spoil. Some 3,000 refugees from all these villages are now crowded into the city. Mardin itself was for three days (8th to 10th) in great danger. The Koords made attempts to enter it Friday evening and Saturday morning, but were repulsed by the troops and the Koords living in the city. At the date of writing the city walls are still guarded both day and night. The local government, at the command of the vali, took special pains to guard our premises, and 25 soldiers are still upon them. On the 18th instant some 80 cavalry from Dere-ez-Zore entered the city. Moslems and Christians united in the common defense.
On Sunday, the 10th instant, and in one night, Nisibin was attacked in the Christian quarter and plundered before a band of Hamidiehs from the Toi tribe of Arabs could be sent to protect the town. They preserved the rest of it. Between the 8th and 15th instant some 18 Christian villages on the plain to the east of Nisibin were plundered and in some cases burned, and on Monday, the 11th, two Yezidee villages shared the same fate.
Midyat (about 1,000 houses, Syrian and Protestant), fourteen hours northeast of Mardin, was surrounded by Koords, but the vigilance of Government troops stationed there and that of the villagers, who are sharpshooters, thwarted every effort to enter the town.
Redwan and Till, respectively fourteen and eighteen hours northeast of Midyat, have also been plundered, but date and particulars are wanting. Sert (a city of some 15,000 Shofooeeh Moslems, 200 Armenian, 70 Protestant, and 20 Syrian houses), about 150 miles northeast of Mardin and 54 miles southwest of Bitlis, has probably been plundered in market and Christian quarters. We infer so from a telegram to-day received from the deacon of the church, who says: “Congregation hungry and naked—in want of daily bread. Help us.”
Saturday, 16th instant, Kerbavan (250 Syrian and Protestent houses) attacked. In the above, and many other places in our field not yet heard from, aid in clothing, Warming, and feeding these plundered thousands will be imperatively needed during the approaching winter season. It should be immediate. Yesterday the Mardin Church and congregation made a noble effort to meet the situation occasioned by such an influx of refugees, in addition to the care of their own poor. On principle, we let them make the first move. With the funds promised by you we to-day gave [Page 1410] work to some of the refugees from the villages; but we should receive hundreds of pounds in place of tens. When the country quiets down a little more a tour of investigation and a report upon the extent of the needs of the plundered people will be made. Meanwhile, pray for us and them, and send us speedily means for their relief. I am all alone here. Mr. Dewey is still in Mosul. I have refrained from writing about the number killed in various places, because we are not in a position to make careful investigation, as we can not get out of the city. Let us know if this letter gets through to you.