File No. 367.116/491

The Chargé in Turkey ( Philip ) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

1844. My 1825, May 22, 3 p. m.1 All American missionaries at Marsivan arrived safely 24th instant. They informed me that suddenly on the 10th instant local civil and military authorities, stating that they were acting under orders Commander Third Army and of Governor General of Sivas, surrounded mission premises and told Doctor White that they were to requisition all mission buildings and send missionaries at once to Constantinople, and that this was done owing to the strained relations between the United States and Germany. Authorities sealed mission safe, which later they consented to reopen for the removal of cash only, and took immediate [Page 837] and full possession of grounds, preventing missionaries from communicating with Embassy, stating they learned from unofficial sources that the Embassy was closed and intimating that declaration of war was imminent. After taking over possession of all buildings and contents, including all personal property of missionaries, authorities assumed management and control of the existing American schools, apparently treating them as belligerent institutions. After that Americans were allowed to remain for a few days, but were kept under guard. In the meantime authorities stated that although danger of war was averted, yet under orders of higher military and civil authorities the region was declared to be within military zone and that no foreigners would be allowed to remain therein. The major in command of military privately informed Americans that he believed that the only orders received were military and to the effect that requisition should take place with every courtesy. On May 16 Americans were expelled and a Swiss lady connected with the mission left with them, though authorities said that she might remain if she so desired. Incomplete inventory of contents of institutions was made, but no inventory whatever of the contents of the residences of the missionaries. On the whole, Marsivan Americans were submitted to unjustifiably harsh and discourteous treatment. Some of the Marsivan missionaries wish to return. (Will authorize?) this if possible.

Wingate informs me buildings at Talas were surrounded by guards without previous warning and hospital and school buildings taken over at once. Americans permitted to remain in their private houses, but pupils, lady teachers, widows, and children taken from institutions to Caesarea where strongest pressure has been brought to bear on women and girls to become Moslem and accept Moslem husbands. Telegrams and letters from Talas missionaries to Embassy have been intercepted. Wingate telegraphs May 28 that mission ladies’ residence also has just been taken over, but missionaries appear to desire to remain at Talas unless otherwise instructed.

Doctor Clark informs me that on the 8th instant Sivas mission was notified that American missionaries would have to leave and turn over buildings to authorities. College was taken over same day, hospital two days later, inventories of contents of both having been made but no receipt given to Doctor Clark. Personal property of missionaries left in charge of Misses Graffam and fowle. Houses searched by police obnoxiously; letters but nothing compromising found. Authorities not discourteous towards missionaries. Orphans and other dependents taken from college building to mission girls’ school. Intention of authorities regarding them not yet known. Americans left May 13, authorities furnishing conveyances as far as railway. They arrived here on May 25.

Yesterday I handed Minister for Foreign Affairs note which reserved all American rights pending your instructions, and which embodied emphatic protest against treatment of Americans, especially at Marsivan. In this note I also inferred that stringent action will be taken by Department in the matter of the unwarrantable conduct of the Sub-Governor of Marsivan and other officials concerned. The Minister reiterated that whatever prejudicial action had been taken locally in connection with the requisitions must have [Page 838] been before the receipt of Minister of Interior’s instructions mentioned in my 1814, May 17, 9 p. m.1 I am inclined to believe that this is so and that the discourteous treatment of Americans was chiefly due to irresponsible and uncontrolled local insurrectionists taking advantage of the original military order.

Philip
  1. Ante, p. 834.
  2. Ante, p. 833.