Mr. Gresham to Mr. Terrell.

No. 278.]

Sir: Statements have been for some weeks current in the press relative to disturbances in the Sassoun district and in the vicinity of Bitlis, between Armenians and Kurds, in which Turkish troops are said to have intervened and great loss of life is reported. The Department is without other information on the subject than that contained in a telegram from Said Pasha to the Turkish minister here, of which I append a copy as communicated to me by Mavroyeni Bey.

Although the occurrences in question are alleged to have taken place in September last, you have not so far telegraphed or written on the subject; neither has any mention of the matter been made by our consul at Sivas—from which I infer either that details are lacking to confirm these alarming reports, or that no interests of American citizens in that quarter are believed to be endangered. It is desired, however, that you inform the Department as fully as possible in this regard, as the current reports are calculated to disquiet those of our citizens who have friends or relatives in central Asia Minor.

I am, etc.,

W. Q. Gresham.