File No. 867.48/311
The Chargé in Turkey (Philip) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 21, 5 p. m.]
1889. Your 2678; my 1854, June 3, 11 p. m.2 On receipt your 2678 on June 5, I called upon German Ambassador to ascertain what German consuls in Syria who are able to correspond in cipher and otherwise report on the subject. He stated that they had reported nothing serious or unusual. He offered, however, to send for me cipher telegram to Hollis who replied through the same channel that [Page 931] persons well informed said that facts were worse than reported and that Stanley White, 156 Fifth Avenue, New York, could explain.
On June 12 I had an interview with Minister of Foreign Affairs, and after again urging him to take measures for protection for said Christians I have asked whether the Turkish Government would permit neutral committee distribute relief supplies in the Lebanon and other parts of Syria. He said that he was not aware of such a situation in those districts and believed there was gross exaggeration in the report received. He would, however, make inquiry through the Department of the Interior, and after he had full information he would be in a position to state whether or not the Sublime Porte would consent to such distribution. The Minister’s tone claiming normal conditions in said districts was less assertive on June 12 than on June 3.
Telegram from Hollis received to-day practically confirms previous report but reduces 80,000 to 50,000. Local papers lately announced the formation of a company in the Lebanon for the purchase of wheat; also a plan of Government for supplying wheat to the needy population. From a private source I learn that food situation Syria, particularly Lebanon, long been desperate. In the latter province chief industry silk now discontinued owing to lack of men, money, and transportation; famine resulted. Informant stated that flour, not wheat, is most essential. At my next interview with the Minister of Foreign Affairs I shall again take up the matter.
It has been officially announced that fresh political prosecutions [persecutions] and consequent attachments of property are being started in Syria.