Mr. Terrell to Mr.
Olney.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, February 27,
1896. (Received March 14.)
No. 831.]Sir: I have the honor to inclose for your
information the copy of a note from the minister for foreign affairs,
dated 24th instant, in which he denies the liability of the Turkish
Government for the burning and spoliation of property of American
citizens at Harpoot and Marash.
I also inclose a copy of my telegram of the 25th instant, which, among
other things, refers to the note of the Turkish minister. A copy of my
note No. 114, of the 26th instant, to the Sublime Porte, which was in
response to that of the minister for foreign affairs, is also
inclosed.
Demands for indemnity have been made upon the Turkish Government by
England, France, Russia, and Italy, which are permitted to slumber for
causes which can only be conjectured. This fact, as also the presence in
the interior of Asiatic Turkey of many estimable missionary men and
women, surrounded by cruel races who detest them, who profess a hostile
creed, and who are now easily excited to deeds of blood, induces me to
rest the question of indemnity on my last note, until further
instructed, and to retain from suggestions which are always ventured on
with diffidence. I indulge the hope that my note above referred to will
meet your approval.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
831.—Translation.]
Tevfik Pasha to
Mr. Terrell.
Sublime Porte,
Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, February 24, 1896.
Mr. Envoy: I have received the note you
kindly addressed me on the 29th last, No. 108, with regard to the
losses occasioned to the property belonging to the American citizens
at Harpoot and at Marash during the last disturbances.
[Page 881]
I have already informed your excellency by my notes of the 3d and
30th of December last, Nos. 16645”32 and 17037”35, that in the
perturbations which took place in above-mentioned cities the local
authorities and Imperial troops have displayed all their efforts for
the protection of the properities and the lives of the Americans,
and that these have expressed to the said authorities their
acknowledgment for the measures adopted in order to insure their
safety.
The Imperial Government not being in any way bound to make good the
losses suffered during aforementioned disturbances, there can not be
any question of the payment of an indemnity for the damage at
stake.
As to the authorization for the rebuilding of the destroyed property,
the competent department will not fail to do what is right as soon
as it shall be requested in the usual form.
In having the honor to bring what precedes to your excellency’s
knowledge, I avail myself, etc.,
[Inclosure 2 in No.
831.]
Mr. Terrell to
Tevfik Pasha.
United States Legation,
Constantinople, February 26, 1896.
Sir: I have received the answer sent by
your excellency on the 24th instant, to my demand for the payment of
indemnity for losses caused by burning and spoliation of the
property of American citizens by Ottoman subjects at Harpoot and
Marash during recent disturbances.
If Americans expressed approval of the conduct of Imperial troops at
Harpoot or Marash it was no doubt for the protection of their lives
and of property which was not burned.
Your excellency will observe by reference to my former note that the
Government of the United States demands indemnity not for life or
property protected or preserved, but for the property of peaceful
American citizens which has been destroyed by Turkish subjects; and
it is entirely immaterial whether the burning was done by Turks,
Kurds, Armenians, or Imperial troops, for all are subjects of his
Imperial Majesty.
Before the spoliations occurred this legation repeatedly demanded of
your predecessor general and ample protection for all Americans and
their property throughout the Ottoman Empire. Adequate protection
was promised. Be pleased to observe, excellency, that protection
adequate to the danger was not afforded. Justice now requires that
indemnity for the loss should now be promptly paid by the Ottoman
Government. Under any other rule no peaceful remedy would exist for
such flagrant wrongs, and commerce, being unprotected, would be
impossible.
Your excellency is therefore reminded that an interchange of views
regarding the conduct of the Imperial troops at Harpoot and Marash
would neither be pertinent to the claim made by the United States
nor instructive.
Your excellency is now informed that the claim of the United States
for £21,870¼ (Turkish) indemnity which I had the honor to present in
my note of the 29th ultimo, is again insisted upon, and also the
further sum of £2,730 (Turkish), it being the value of goods
plundered at Harpoot
[Page 882]
and
Marash during the burnings, and which was not estimated in my former
note.
In presenting this claim the United States does not waive its right
to insist hereafter on the payment of any other just claim against
the Turkish Government, and especially of a claim for the value of
books and bibles plundered and destroyed by Turkish subjects, the
amount and value thereof not being yet known.
I beg also to inform your excellency that the amount now demanded by
the United States as indemnity is for actual values destroyed or
plundered, and that proper interest will be expected, to be computed
from the dates of the losses until paid.
Receive, excellency, etc.,
