[Inclosure 1 in No.
1012.]
Commander Shepard, U. S. N., to Mr. Terrell.
U.
S. S. San Francisco,
Alexandretta, Syria, September 19, 1896.
Sir: Having been directed by the commander
in chief of the European station to make diligent inquiries into the
condition of affairs in that part of Turkey in communication with
Alexandretta and report the result of the inquiries to you, I have
to submit as follows:
Considering the reported unsettled and turbulent state in many
portions of the Turkish Empire, the condition of affairs in and
about Alexandretta seem absolutely quiet and peaceful, and, in fact,
are in that state so far as I am able to ascertain from my own
observation and from the reports and opinions of others whose
information I deem reliable.
[Page 870]
It seems well authenticated that there is not an American citizen in
Alexandretta, and none nearer than Suedea and Antioch, about 40
miles away, and at Aleppo, some 75 miles distant, at which places
there are American missionaries.
At Aleppo there are nine naturalized American citizens (Armenian by
birth) in prison for inciting insurrection. The circumstances are,
however, as I understand, known to you.
The American property in the vicinity consists wholly of a plant for
storing and packing licorice root, owned by the Stamford Company, of
which Mr. W. W. Skiddy, of Stamford, Conn., is president. There is
another plant, established by the same company, at Suedea, which the
company contemplates removing to some more advantageous locality,
probably on the Persian Gulf. These plants are said to do a business
of some $250,000 a year. Mr. Daniel Walker, United States consular
agent at this port, a British subject, is the sole manager of the
business at this point. During the troublous times of last year
there has been no attempt to molest this property by the Turks, and
it would therefore seem reasonable to infer that American property
in this vicinity is as secure as that of any native or foreign
possessions.
Regarding the safety of American citizens, it is a fact that many of
the missionaries and others living on or near the coast of Asia
Minor and Syria have left their homes to spend the summer in the
mountains for cooler and better air; this without interference from
Turkish people indicates that Americans (native) are as free to go
and come as the citizens of other countries.
Here, as elsewhere in the Turkish dominions, among all classes of
foreigners, there is a strong feeling of anxiety concerning the
future. The greatest source of apprehension in this vicinity seems
to be the soldiers; those stationed here and those passing by for
other parts of the Empire are without food and without pay, and the
authorities claim that they are unable to obtain money to purchase
the necessities for their maintenance. Under these circumstances it
is not surprising that the soldiers have looted the shops for
supplies, and they will do so again if not cared for by the
Government.
Very respectfully,
[Inclosure 2 in No.
1012.]
Mr. Terrell to
Commander Shepard.
Constantinople, October 5, 1896.
Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of
your letter of the 19th ultimo, regarding the condition of affairs
in that part of Turkey in connection with Alexandretta.
A feeling of great disquiet exists among foreign residents in the
interior of Turkey everywhere. Here also much uneasiness is felt as
a result of recent events.
While you remain in the eastern Mediterranean I will be glad to hear
of such matters as threaten or affect American interests from time
to time and to be advised always of your anchorage.
I have, etc.,
