Office of the Historian

Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay.

American Legation,
Constantinople, September 3, 1904.
No. 879.]

Sir: I beg to confirm copy of telegram sent you this day concerning the continued disturbances in Armenia, as per copy on overleaf.

The trouble at Van was not unexpected, as the revolutionists who were concentrated a few months ago at Moush were scattered by the activity of the Turkish troops, and a number of the bands fled to the neighborhood of Van and Bitlis.

The British consul located at Van, who has been temporarily residing at Moush, has been ordered to return to Van immediately; and recent advices from Mr. Norton indicate that he also will reach Van in a short time.

The present troubles in Armenia resemble very closely the movement in Macedonia last year, and the revolutionists, no doubt, hope [Page 839] for the same result, i. e., foreign interference; but this is not likely to occur unless a general massacre should ensue, which is not very probable, as little doubt exists here that the General Government is doing all it can to avoid a repetition of the events of 1895 and 1896.

Reliable information is very difficult to obtain, but conservative estimates place the number of persons killed up to the present time at about 2,000.

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The action of the bands is well calculated to bring trouble to thousands of innocent Armenians who are not directly connected with the revolutionary movement, as the bands swoop down upon a Turkish village and, after committing what damage they can, seek refuge in some Armenian villages, and when followed by the troops flee to the mountains, where the Turks are unable to pursue them, and the consequence is that the troops generally fall upon the village and sack it.

I do not consider that our missionaries are in any particular danger, as the Turkish authorities will undoubtedly use every effort to prevent any trouble that might bring about a foreign complication, but this, of course, does not eliminate three sources of constant danger:

  • First. Being caught in a mélée.
  • Second. Harboring refugees.
  • Third. Damage which might be inflicted upon them by the revolutionists themselves, with the hope of causing foreign interference.

* * * * * * *

I have, etc.,

John G. A. Leishman.