File No. 19274/22–23.
[Inclosure.]
The Acting Secretary of
State to the Hon. W. S.
Bennett
Department of State,
Washington, June 28,
1909.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge your
letter of the 18th, inclosing a petition from the representatives of
the Armenian Evangelical Alliance, addressed to the President,
urging the influence of the United States for the amelioration of
the condition of the Armenians.
The petition has been read with attention and interest. This question
has from time to time had the earnest consideration of this
Government for many years, and the recent terrible events in Asia
Minor have served to further manifest the deep sympathy of the
American people and the abhorrence of the President over the
atrocities perpetrated. While the Government of the United States,
not being a signatory to the Berlin treaty engagement, deems
itself—as the petitioners seem not unaware—precluded from any
consideration on its part of a question of intervention in the
present circumstances, or of sharing in those treaty
responsibilities, the sentiments of this Government and its earnest
desire that the Armenians shall possess absolute security of life
and property are common knowledge to the concert of great powers who
by the treaty compact aimed to accomplish that result.
Every thinking American deplores the antagonism, differences, and
opposing ambitions which have arrayed the racial and religious
elements of the Turkish population against each other. The
sufferings of the innocent victims in the late outrages have deeply
touched American sympathies. Neither in these events nor in times
past has this Government looked on unmoved. It has always wished
that it had the power to prevent such sufferings, but it is
convinced that, in the obvious impossibility of intervention, it is
powerless. The broader tendencies developing in the Near East and
the moral suasion of the Christian treaty powers must be trusted
finally to prevail to reconcile the opposing factions.
It is no longer a question of dealing with a government implicated in
the Armenian massacres. It is earnestly believed that the best
course now for the
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betterment of the unfortunate people concerned is to exhibit a
degree of confidence in the newly established constitutional
Government, whose Sultan has solemnly proclaimed to Parliament his
horror over the awful slaughter among his subjects, his firm
intention to punish the guilty, and his purpose to use his fullest
power to maintain peace, justice, and tranquillity throughout his
dominions and among all races and religionists. The magnitude and
difficulty of the task of the new régime should win the sympathy of
all well-wishers of peace and justify a fair opportunity of
accomplishment without interference.
The hopeful promise of reforms seems to be confirmed by the recent
official reports from Turkey that the constitutional Government is
taking vigorous measures for the complete restoration of order in
Asia Minor, for a rigid investigation of the massacres, and for the
effective military protection of the disturbed districts. All of
which, it is hoped, will prevent a recurrence of the recent
lamentable events, which are deplored as keenly by the President as
they can be by any citizens.
A copy of the petition of the Armenian Evangelical Alliance will be
communicated to the American ambassador to Turkey, who is fully
aware of the President’s views in the premises.
I have, etc.,
