Mr. Terrell to Mr.
Olney.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, September 24,
1896. (Received Oct. 10.)
No. 994.]
Sir: I have the honor to inclose for your
information the copy of a letter just received from Commander Thomas W.
Jewett, U. S. N., and
[Page 863]
dated
Mersina, September 15, which states that there was not the slightest
ground for apprehension that the persons or property of American
citizens were in danger in the vicinity of Mersina. His letter states
that the missionaries have enjoyed their usual summer resorts without
apprehension.
I also inclose a copy of my answer to the commander.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
994.]
Commander Jewett, U. S. N., to Mr. Terrell.
Mersina, September 15,
1896.
Sir: I have been instructed by the
commander in chief of the United States naval force on this station,
upon learning the condition of affairs at this place and vicinity,
“to communicate the same to you by letter.”
I arrived here on the 8th instant. Diligent inquiry since that date
convinces me that there is not the slightest ground for apprehension
that the persons or property of American citizens in this vicinity
are in danger.
Mr. J. S. Coidon, the consular agent of the United States at this
port, informs me that never in his knowledge of the country has
there been less cause for uneasiness on the part of foreign
residents, or has the condition of the country been more quiet and
peaceful than at the present moment. Other Europeans with whom I
have conversed express the same opinion.
The Rev. Dr. Christie, of Tarsus, stated to me that toward the end of
August, immediately after the disturbances at Constantinople, the
Christian population of Tarsus felt some uneasiness, fearing a
repetition of the events of last winter. The governor of Tarsus had,
however, received from the Government at Constantinople a dispatch
enjoining the Moslems to abstain from ill treatment or abuse of
their Christian fellow subjects, and promising the latter the
protection of the . Government, both as to their persons and
property.
The promulgation of this dispatch by the governor has reassured the
Christians, a feeling of confidence had resulted, and, at the
present time, affairs are in the most peaceful and tranquil
condition.
I have not been able to see the Rev. Dr. Metheny, of Mersina, whose
view of the general situation is not generally hopeful, but I have
had a conversation with his wife. The family returned from their
summer residence in the mountains about ten days ago, fearing that
there might be trouble. Mrs. Metheny informs me that had they known
how little reason there was for alarm they would have remained
longer in the mountains. In fact, young Dr. Metheny, with his wife
and baby, are still there.
Miss Sterrett and Miss Dodge, teachers in the mission school at this
place, are visiting at Latakia and Suedia, and have not apparently
found it necessary, on account of the disturbed condition of the
country, to return to Mersina.
I have seen a letter from the Rev. Mr. Mead, of Adana, in which he
states that the condition of affairs at Osmanie (which is, I
understand, a village in the consular district) is so quiet and
satisfactory as to no longer require the presence of troops.
[Page 864]
I have not seen any of the Americans residing at Adana. Mrs.
Montgomery and. Miss Webb, the two ladies connected with the mission
there, who have been absent during the hot season, returned to Adana
on Friday last (September 11). From the fact that the daughter of
one and the sister of the other accompanied them (on a visit, as I
am informed), it may be inferred that they feel little uneasiness in
regard to the situation at that point.
These incidents, which separately are of trifling importance,
together go to show that there is no fear of trouble on the part of
missionaries, and confirm the opinions expressed by Mr. Coidon and
others.
I have, etc.,
Thos. F. Jewett,
Commander, U. S. N.
[Inclosure 2 in No.
994.]
Mr. Terrell to
Commander Jewett.
Constantinople, September 24, 1896.
Sir: I have received your letter of the
15th instant, and feel gratified to know that apparent security
exists at Mersina and its vicinity.
Early in August telegraphic orders were sent, at my request, for the
security of American citizens in Asiatic Turkey, and advices from
the interior indicate that such orders are being enforced. At Sivas,
Mossoul, Harpoot, and other posts the popular feeling against
American missionaries and Armenians has been much excited, but it
appears that the Porte is making an honest effort to secure
order.
Unfortunately, here at the capital there is a feeling of much unrest
since the sacrifice here of from 4,000 to 6,000 persons on the 26th
and 27th ultimo. Dynamite bombs and a dynamite factory have been
discovered, which naturally tends to excite the Moslem populace, and
the large bodies of troops which patrol the streets of the city and
the shores of the Bosphorus day and night indicate apprehension.
What influence this and other causes may finally have on the ignorant
masses in the interior can only be conjectured.
The good missionaries located here, as also their colaborers in the
interior, have returned to their posts from their usual summer
outing in Switzerland, up on the Bosphorus, and on the Princes
Islands. Their movements in time of trouble can scarcely be regarded
as evidence of security, for now, as during the massacres of last
winter, they show a lofty faith in Providence, in the United States,
and in our armed cruisers.
Whether the desire expressed by many of them that a naval vessel
should be kept permanently in the Eastern Mediterranean should be
gratified must be determined by our Government, which is fully
advised of existing conditions in Turkey.
The most secure place in the Ottoman Empire is always on the
Mediterranean coasts. It is claimed, however, by the missionaries
that the moral force exerted by the presence of a naval force in the
Eastern Mediterranean extends far in the interior.
I would be glad to be advised from time to time when you change your
anchorage during your stay in the eastern Mediterranean.
I am, etc.,
