Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President, Transmitted to Congress December 2, 1895, Part II
Mr. Uhl to Mr. Terrell.
Washington , May 18, 1895 .
Sir: In connection with previous correspondence upon the subject, I herewith inclose for your information a copy of a letter from the Secretary of the Navy of the 15th instant, covering a report from the commander in chief of the United States naval force on the European station, touching the recent visit of the United States ships San Francisco and Marblehead to Turkish waters.
I am, etc.,
Acting Secretary.
Mr. Herbert to Mr. Gresham.
Washington , May 15, 1895 . (Received May 16.)
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of communications from the commander in chief of the United States naval force on the European station, dated April 17, 21, and 30, 1895, in regard to visits of the United States ships San Francisco and Marblehead to certain ports in the Levant for the purpose of ascertaining the grounds existing for the circulation of reports regarding the massacre of Christians in that portion of Asia Minor.
Very respectfully, etc.,
Rear-Admiral Kirkland to Mr. Herbert.
Smyrna, Turkey , April 17, 1895 .
Sir: Having obeyed the order of the Department so far as the port of Smyrna is concerned, I sail to-day for Alexandretta, where I have ordered the Marblehead to meet me.
[Page 1246]As far as apprehension of a massacre of Christians in this port is concerned, I see no reason to believe in such incident in the near future; at present the Christians outnumber the Turks largely. I have, however, communicated the intentions of the Government, as expressed by the Navy Department, to the governor of Smyrna in person. But I believe that the governor of Massachusetts is as much liable for the murder of settlers by the Apaches as is the governor of Smyrna for the murder of the Armenians by the Koords.
As the text directly of my cipher instructions was published in the Paris Herald of April 5, and was on hand when I arrived here, the governor knew beforehand what my instructions were.
On the 16th instant I was invited by the governor, with my staff and the officers of the ship, to a dinner which he had been ordered by the Sultan to offer me as a souvenir of my visit to Smyrna. The graceful manner of the invitation did not admit of a refusal.
Very respectfully,
Rear-Admiral, U. S. N.
Rear-Admiral Kirkland to Mr. Herbert.
Alexandretta Syria , April 21, 1895.
Sir: I have to inform the Department that I reached this place yesterday morning at 7 a.m. There is no consul, vice-consul, or other authorized representative of the United States here, but, through the kindness of Mr. Daniel Walker, I arranged an interview with the acting governor of the district, and informed him of the intention of the United States Government to afford full protection to its peaceable citizens residing in Turkey, in accordance with the terms of the American Government’s treaty stipulations.
I find no citizens of the United States here, and no foundation for apprehension of a massacre of Christians; everything seems quiet. The governor returned my call this morning, and was received with usual ceremony and honors.
I have this morning received a letter from the commanding officer of the Marblehead, dated Beirut, Syria, April 18. He reports everything tranquil and that the American citizens at that port pursue their duties and pleasures without fear of annoyance.
I shall proceed to Mersine, 80 miles to the westward, to-morrow morning. I have telegraphed the Marblehead to come here, and will leave orders for her to proceed also to Mersine.
The sanitary condition of the ship is good.
Very respectfully,
Rear-Admiral, U. S. N.
Rear-Admiral Kirkland to Mr. Herbert.
Naples, Italy , April 30, 1895 ,
Sir: I have the honor to report my arrival at Naples with the flag ship, having obeyed the Department’s cable order of April 5.
[Page 1247]I visited the ports of Smyrna, Alexandretta, and Mersine in the San Francisco, and the Marblehead visited Beirut, Alexandretta, Mersine, and Smyrna. She was also ordered to touch at Athens and to report to me not later than May 6.
I have informed the governors-general of the vilayets of Smyrna and Adana, and the governor of the district of Alexandretta, also the governor-general of Beirut, that the United States Government intends to furnish full protection to its peaceable citizens dwelling in Turkey, in accordance with the terms of the American Government’s treaty stipulations.
I visited in person all these officials, and they all returned my visits and were received with the customary honors.
The governor of the vilayet of Adana came down 45 miles by rail to Mersine, at my request, and remained in Mersine all night, so as to return my call. Everywhere the officials were most courteous.
It was not possible for me to ascertain whether any foundation existed for apprehension of a massacre of Christians. I issued instructions to officers visiting the shore, a copy of which is herewith inclosed. The commanding officers of the San Francisco and of the Marblehead report that neither they nor their officers have any reliable information of any contemplated or feared massacre of the Christians.
I conversed personally with the different consuls and with citizens; the air was full of rumors of murders, rapes, and crucifixions, but no one whom I met had suffered in either of these ways, nor did they have any acquaintance with persons that had.
There were no outrages on American citizens that could be established, nor were any reported to me.
* * * * * * *
I shall remain here until the 7th of May, and then go to Algiers, where the Marblehead will be ordered for her inspection, after which both ships will proceed, via Gibraltar, Lisbon, and Southampton, to Copenhagen to clean up and prepare for Kiel about the 14th of June.
Very respectfully,
Rear-Admiral, U. S. N.
Instructions for officers of the United States European squadron in visiting the shore in Turkey and in Syria.
At Sea , April 9, 1895.
The Navy Department has been led to believe that a massacre of Christians is apprehended in certain parts of Turkey and Syria by the Turks and others, and the commander in chief has been ordered to confer with consuls and citizens on the subject, in order to ascertain if foundation for such apprehension exists.
All of the officers of the squadron visiting the shore will take notice of the above, and will assist the commander in chief in this duty, making such reports to him as their personal experiences may develop in regard to the subject, and giving their impressions as to the reliability of the parties furnishing their information.