Mr. Riddle to Mr.
Olney.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople
,
April 13, 1896
.
(Received Apr. 28.)
No. 856.]
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith a
copy of my telegram of the 5th instant transmitting the first news
received at this legation of Knapp’s enforced departure from Bitlis a
week before. I also inclose [Page 904] a
copy of your reply, received on the 7th instant, containing your
instructions, which were presented on the same day by my note to the
foreign minister, No. 121. A verification of Mr. Terrell’s cipher
telegram received on the 9th instant is also forwarded.
A translation of the foreign minister’s note of the 9th instant, copy of
my telegram to you sent on the 10th, and a copy of your reply received
on the 12th are also inclosed in this dispatch.
As I have already transmitted all the information I have been able to
gather concerning Knapp in my telegrams to the Department, I have little
to add, and shall probably be unable to make a full report as to the
manner of his departure and treatment received on his journey until I
can hear directly from him. I may observe, however, that the
missionaries here, who have been exceedingly anxious about Knapp,
express satisfaction at the present condition of his case, and seem
especially relieved to know that he is to be delivered up to an official
of the United States Government as soon as he reaches the coast instead
of being returned by the Turks to Bitlis.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
856.]
Mr. Riddle to
Tevfik Pasha.
United States Legation,
Constantinople
,
April 7, 1896.
Sir: Referring to the case of George Knapp,
which has been the subject of recent conversations, T have the honor
to inform your excellency that inasmuch as His Highness the Grand
Vizier gave his pledge to the United States minister that Mr. Knapp
should not be required to start for Constantinople before the end of
April, and that during the minister’s absence no complaint should be
urged against American missionaries, the Department of State can not
believe that the Ottoman Government intends to violate its pledge,
and I am instructed by the Department of State to demand that Mr.
Knapp be conducted back to Bitlis under safe escort, and that he be
permitted to remain there until the end of April; also, that at the
end of April safe escort be provided to Constantinople for himself
and his family, who will be accompanied by a representative of the
legation, when his case will be examined by the American
minister.
In view of the disturbed conditions of the country through which Mr.
Knapp must pass extraordinary precautions should be taken to insure
his safety. Should Mr. Knapp suffer any injury by reason of
insufficient protection the Ottoman Government will be held directly
responsible.
Receive, etc.,
[Inclosure 2 in No.
856.—Telegram—Received April 9, 1896.]
Mr. Terrell to
Mr. Riddle.
Remind Grand Vizier of his assurance that the pledges of the race of
old Turks could be relied on, and tell him I have assured the
Government of the United States that his promise that Knapp should
remain undisturbed at Bitlis until last of April would be observed.
[Page 905] Unless sensational
news about missionary danger ceases and Knapp returns at once to
Bitlis and remains there until you send for him I will instantly
[return] to my post. Answer at once to Secretary of State.
[Inclosure 3 in No.
856—Translation.]
Tevfik Pasha to
Mr. Riddle.
Sublime Porte,
Ministry of
Foreign Affairs
,
April 9, 1896
.
Mr. Chargé d’Affaires: In reply to the
note, No. 121, which you addressed me on the 7th instant, I hasten
to inform you that Mr. Knapp has not been a prisoner (détenue), and
that, if the Imperial authorities have given him an escort on his
voyage, it was precisely in order to insure his safety. At Diarbekir
he was the guest of the governor-general, and on his arrival at
Alexandretta he will be delivered up to the United States consul in
that town.
Receive, etc.,