Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 6, 1897

Mr. Terrell to Mr. Olney.

Legation of the United Stated,
Constantinople, February 9, 1897. (Received March 1.)

No. 1167.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose certain reports from the interior of the Ottoman Empire which tend to verify my statements recently made, to the effect:

• First. That no school taught by an American citizen in the Ottoman Empire has been closed during the present administration of Mr. Cleveland.
• Second. That no Turks are either educated or converted by American missionaries. To my astonishment three Turkish students are reported in the inclosed letter from Mr. Fuller. (If they are really Mohammedans, their presence in the American school is exceptional, and I certainly think must be without the knowledge of the Mohammedan priests.)
• Third. The value of the property owned by the missionaries and mission board.

Additional data of value will be sent forward to your Department as received, which for reference maybe useful hereafter in determining the value, the reasonableness of claims for damages, should trouble be renewed and spoliations occur after my departure from this post.

I have, etc.,

A. W. Terrell.

[Inclosure 1 in No. 1167.]

Mr. Sanders to Mr. Terrell.

Cesarea, December 26, 1896.

Dear Sir: I will reply at once to the questions, as far as I may be able:

1. As far as I can recall, no schools taught by Americans, or under the supervision of Americans, have been closed in our section of the country.

2. Mr. Wingate, teacher in the Cesareahigh school; Miss Burrage, in the two kindergartens in Cesarea; Misses Classen, and Miss Nasen, in the boarding school at Talat.

As the second question is not complete, I can not answer it in full, but I send you inclosed a copy of our “inventory of property,” which may perhaps enable you to find the answers desired. If anything further is desired, I shall be glad to assist you to the best of my ability.

Yesterday was a great day of rejoicing here (Cesarea), for all the political prisoners except three were released. These three have been given a capital sentence, I understand, but with how much justice I can not say. I am told that many Turks who are known to have murdered Armenians in Cesarea and Everek have also been not [set?] free. Early in the week we were greatly rejoiced to see that the son of our best helpers, who have been in prison since October 4, was set free, and that, too, with specific and peremptory orders that no “bribes” should be given to anyone.

The only Americans in this field, but those (3) fall under the evident purport of your question. I beg are (9) the Central Turkey College in Aintab, of which Dr. A. Fuller is the president; (6) the Aintab Girls’ Boarding School * * * Miss L. Foreman is at present principal; (c) the Ourfa Girls’ High School * * * Ourfa * * * Miss Shattuck is the principal. Just now other affairs make it impossible for Miss Shattuck to give her time for such work, but since the period in 1895, about which you ask for information, she has given much time to the school, until the great troubles made such work for the time impossible on account of the pressure of the relief work.

In answering the remaining part of the question I am governed by the rule which Mr. Pettibone told me was their rule at Constantinople, viz, to call nothing American property which the mission considered as given to the native congregations, even if the title is in our hands. Per contra, some of our property stands in native hands.

The following is out-and-out American property, though in most cases we do not expect ever to sell it, and really the first four are owned in partnership with Americans:

1. The Central Turkey College in Aintab, with large college building and three residences.

2. The Aintab Girls’ Boarding School, school.

3. The hospital building, with a residence occupied by Americans.

4. The Third Church in Aintab.

5. The missionary residence in Ourfa.

6. An establishment in Aleppo—church, schoolhouses, and preacher’s residence, all in one yard.

7. * * * Beylan * * * all together.

8. A small church and schoolhouse in Antioch.

9. A parsonage in Soghoouslook, Kaimakamlik of Antioch.

10. * * * Bitias * * *.

11. Two missionary residences in Kessab (Shaghoor in Kaimakamlik of Aleppo.)

Please note that I do not include the American property in Suadia, assuming, of course, that you have communicated with them as with ourselves.

12. A missionary residence not connected with schools in Aintab, forgotten above. You ask for value. The values given approximately the cost for the schools and residences of missionaries, a mere estimate in the other cases. Probably at public sale none would bring a half of the price appended; just as true is it that they could not be replaced at these prices. As I have not our account books at hand, I depend on my memory.

	Pias.	United States currency.
1. C. T. College and residences	550,000	$24,200
2. Aintab Girls’ School	180,000	7,920
3. Hospital and residence	200,000	8,800
4. Third Church, Aintab	60,000	2.640
5. Residence in Ourfa	65,000	2,860
6. Aleppo establishment	100,000	4,400
7. Beylan	50,000	2,200
8. Antioch buildings	18,000	792
9. Bitias parsonage	4,000	176
10. Soghoouslook	6,000	264
11. Kissab residences	62,000	2,728
12. Aintab residences	80,000	3,520
Total	1,375,000	$60,500

There are photographs in abundance of the Aintab buildings, copies of which will doubtless be sent on. A photograph of the Ourfa buildings will be sent as soon as one is obtainable that is satisfactory.

3. c/t college, maximum 132, average 95.110 5 Aintab Girls’ Seminary, maximum 82, average 65.70; Ourfa High School, maximum 52, average 45–all Armenians.

Our scholars go up into the thousands, but only the above can really be construed strictly under the class of thought by Americans, and just for the present Americans do not teach in Ourfa, though they do superintend, and very closely.

4. No injuries whatever to Americans during the period you mention, to their persons. On the contrary, during these times of trouble the persons of all connected with our station, and the residences where they lived, have been carefully protected. The first attack in Ourfa may be an exception, but as the American premises were not attacked no harm resulted. I presume you do not include retention of boxes and stealing of horses in your inquiries.

The Third Church in Aintab, though American property, was badly looted. While the building was American, the things carried off belonged to the Armenian congregation. I think Mr. Fuller put in claim for damages, but do not know how it turned out. Of course no redress has yet been given.

5. From Aintab to Aleppo, the nearest American consular post, it is about 48 Turkish hours—about 144 miles.

6. This question can, of course, only be answered by each person for himself. For myself, I have taken no inventory for years, and have been burned out once; but, at a venture, think I could sell out for less than $4,400 with great advantage to myself.

7. I suppose this question refers to book colporteurs exclusively under American patronage and employment. If so, none have been imprisoned since the date you mention. In our field, though, two were imprisoned, then released under bonds, and finally unconditionally released just a little before the time you mention.

Hoping these answers will be satisfactory, I remain, yours, respectfully,

C. S. Sanders.

[Inclosure 2 in No. 1167.]

Mr. Fowle to Mr. Terrell.

Ourfa, January 26, 1897.

Dear Sir: Your circular letter addressed to Miss Shattuck arrived yesterday, and, as Miss Shattuck is much pressed for time, I answer for her.

Mr. Fuller writes me that he received such a circular from you, and I presume will answer for Aintab and the part of our field which lies to the west and south of Aintab.

Since writing the above I have glanced over Mr. Fuller’s note, and I see he intends I shall answer for that part of the field. The answers are not difficult, as we have not had much, if any, trouble previous to the great troubles of the last sixteen months. So I will proceed to answer your questions at once.

1. None such¹ have been closed in our station, which embraces all the work among Armenians in the vilayet of Aleppo, excepting the Sanjak of Marash, and also a house of the Adana vilayet, the two Kaimakanliks of the Malatiya Sanjak which lie below the Taurus Mountains, and also the Kaimakamlik of Severic in the Diarbekir vilayet.

2. No schools are taught exclusively by Americans. The only thing that could be brought against the young man was that he had translated into Armenian a letter prepared at my request for Dr. Teflwes, giving an account of the need in Cesarea, especially in regard to orphans.

The officials feigned to believe that there was gross exaggeration in the letter; but my opinion is that it was far within the truth. It was in connection with this letter that I was “summoned” to appear as a witness. Our Turkish watchman was also arrested, but he, too, was released two weeks ago, and without bribery. We are glad to report these two cases. Would that this custom might become “epidemic.”

We are hoping for a favorable reply from you by the next post to Mr. Wingate’s letter in regard to our right to travel in the empire and superintend our long-established works.

Again with thanks for your assistance, and with greetings of the season, sincerely,

J. L. Fowle.

[Inclosure 3 in No. 1167.]

Western Turkey Mission, Cesarea Station inventory of property.

1. Dwelling house in Cesarea, now occupied (title in name of J. 0. Barrosot)	£T400
2. Dwelling house in Cesarea, unoccupied (title in name of J. L. Fowle)	175
3. Dwelling house in Cesarea, residence of Miss Burrage, and used for kindergarten	300
4. Dwelling house adjoining (title in name of Pempeijian, for F. E. Burrage)	100
5. Boarding school, Talat, also residence of Misses Classen and Naton (title, W.S. Dodd).	2,000
6. Dwelling house in Talat (title of W. S. Dodd), occupied by J. L. Fowle	740
7. Dispensary and laboratory (title, Mary C. Dodd)	870
8. Dwelling house, occupied by H. K. Wingate	960
Nos. 7 and 8 are adjoining the boarding school.
9. Stable, with 3 rooms above (title, W. S. Dodd), on school lot	175
10. Garden in Talat (title, L. Bartlett)	250
Permit for school refused in 1881; in 1890 foundations were removed.
Total of real estate	6,070
($345,522)

N. B.—In addition to the above, surgical instruments, medicines, and personal effects for four families amount to worth not less than £T1,500 more, perhaps to £T1,800.

Cesarea, December 26, 1896.

J. L. Fowle.

[Inclosure 4 in No. 1167.]

Rev. Mr. Fuller to Mr. Terrell.

Aintab, January 25, 1897.

Dear Judge Terrell: Your letter of inquiry of December 28 and 30 are at hand and I reply at once. My duties being chiefly with the college, I can speak from personal knowledge of only affairs that have occurred at Aintab. Mr. Sanders, to whom I presume you have addressed the same questions, can give you all needed information for the general field.

1. Within ourfield (Aintab Station, including Aintab), Ourfa, Severek, Adiaman, Biredjik, Aleppo, Killis, Antioch, Beilan, and Scenderoon, and there are only two schools in which Americans are teaching (the college and the girls’ seminary at Aintab). Neither of these have been seriously interfered with. Government officials have, however, tried repeatedly and persistently to raise prejudices and to secure petitions from the people for their suppression.

Of schools under our care and wholly or partly supported by us but taught by Armenians:

(1) The school room and houses and church building of our church in Aintab were plundered by the mob on November 16, 1896, and the school temporarily broken up. Damage to our property at that time £50.

(2) At Biredjik our school was broken up, school building, house, and church plundered; our lady teachers robbed of everything but the clothes on their backs, and after two weeks’ detention in Moslem houses were sent to us at Aintab.

(3) In Ourfa our teacher was killed and the school broken up temporarily.

(4) In Severek, school, church, and house plundered, preacher killed, teacher wounded and left for dead, and school, of course, broken up.

(5) In Adiaman everything was plundered and our work wholly broken up.

(6) At Beilan our church building has been closed and under Government seal for more than two years and still we are required to pay taxes on it.

None of the above schools have, as far as I am aware, been closed by order of the department of education, but as the result of the disturbances.

2. Only two, as explained above: sixteen church buildings, ten school buildings (school buildings are largely owned by natives), our college, our girls’ seminary, several teachers, and missionary houses owned by Armenians. The value I can not give without consulting Mr. Sanders, who is now away. The value of this property would be approximately $150,000.

3. Students in college, 135, three of whom are Moslems and the remainder Armenian.

* * * Girls’s seminary, 85, all Armenian. I am not aware that any proselyte has ever been made from Islam in any of our schools.

5. Of personal violence very little to complain of in this field. For unfriendly acts, injuries, and losses I refer to my letter of August 12, 1896, and to statements above.

6. Two days’ journey to Aleppo.

(1) In reply to yours of December 30: Houses are the property of the mission board; furniture, books, clothing—estimated value in Aintab:

A. Fuller	$1,200
Dr. Sheperd	1,000
Miss E. M. Trowbridge	500
Dr. Hamilton	600
Miss E. Forum	500
Miss E. M. Pierce	500
M. G. Papazion (nat.)	600
C. S. Sanders	600

(2) As to colporteurs: Since the time, October, 1895, I think there has been no attempt at colporteurs’ work in the field. My belief is that such work would not have been permitted. Mr. Bowen, at the Bible house, can give more information on that point.

What we have chiefly to complain of in addition to the destruction of property and closing of schools and churches by the murder and plunder and terrorizing of the people, for and among whom we are chiefly working, is the disquieting and persistent efforts of zealous officials to stir up hostile feelings against us and expel us from the country. These efforts, I may add, have now apparently wholly ceased, and the present attitude of Government officials toward us is, outwardly at least, all that we could desire.

With kindest regards, very sincerely, yours,

A. Fuller.

P. S.—Only about one-half of our papers and magazines are now reaching us. Letters do not appear to be interfered with.

A. F.

1. Schools taught by Americans.