File No. 867.4016/286
The Chargé in Turkey (Philip) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 7, 5 p. m.]
1854. Your 2600, May 24, 6 p. m. To-day I urged Minister of Foreign Affairs to cause immediate steps to be taken for the protection of Christian Syrians. He said that exaggerated reports of situation Syria evidently reached Pope and others, but that in accordance with decision of Government, Djemal Pasha had caused to be deported only the families of persons executed for political reasons, a very small percentage of whom were Christians. He mentioned 20 Moslems and 2 Christians as having been executed and denied that the Government intends to deport or maltreat inhabitants of Syria on a large scale. I am reliably informed that the French protégé, Emir Omar, has been executed. The Minister’s statements do not bear out information reported in my 1821, May 21, 6 p. m., which I have been unable to substantiate further owing to lack of communication with Syria.