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. Terrell to Mr. Olney.
Constantinople, December 4, 1895. (Received Dec. 23.)
Sir: I have the honor to inclose for your information copy of a letter from Rev. Mr. Gates, at Harpoot, detailing the atrocities committed in that city, and which leaves no doubt that missionary buildings were burned and plundered by Turks and Koords. Indemnity will be demanded as soon as the amount of the loss at Marash is known and your further instructions are received.
I have, etc.,
Mr. Gates to Mr. Terrell.
Honored Sir: Following the outbreaks at Constantinople came a period of great unrest and anxiety, which grew worse and worse.
The Christians feared that the Moslems were preparing to massacre them, and their alarm was increased by a report, which was supported by strong evidence, that arms had been distributed among the Turkish aghas from the Government arsenal.
The tension increased until October 24, when the Armenians closed their shops and went to their homes. Dr. Barnum had been laboring to inspire confidence and allay the fears of the Christians. At this juncture he went to the acting govern or general in Mezreh. Soldiers were sent to the city and order restored just in time to prevent an outbreak on the part of the Moslems. That same day a telegram was delivered to us from Consul Jewett announcing the acceptance of the reforms. The telegram had been detained here four days before delivery.
The fears of the Christians could not be allayed. Dr. Barnum and the leading Protestants labored unceasingly, exhorting the Christians to trust the Government and their Moslem neighbors, and to go about their work as usual, but again and again they became alarmed and [Page 1371] closed their shops. The Moslems did the same and carried goods to their houses. Reports of massacres in Erzingan, Bitlis, and Diarbekir added to the alarm.
Sunday, November 3, Protestants came to us from the village of Pertek, which had been plundered by the Dersim Koords. The Christians here feared that the Koords would attack the city also. As village after village was plundered the apprehension increased, and on Monday, November 4, we telegraphed to you, “Koords plundering villages; threaten city, specially our quarter; danger extreme.” Our telegrams were sent “immediate,” we paying 3 piasters a word to insure speedy delivery.
Tuesday, November 5, the Dersim Koords were driven back across the river by the soldiers. These Koords are always considered a rebellious set, and the Turks fear them almost as much as the Christians do. It is said that when the soldiers began to fire on them the Koords called out to them, You summoned us; why do you fire on us?”
Wednesday, November 6, details of the massacre in Erzingan came, and the city was again in alarm. Reports were also received of a massacre in Malatia. From day to day matters grew steadily worse. We exhausted every effort to allay fears and quiet the people, but in vain. Dr. Barnum went among Moslems and Christians and obtained the strongest pledges, both from officials and from leading Moslems of the city, that no trouble would be allowed here. The colonel commanding the forces in the city assured him that, unless he was cut to pieces, not a Koord should enter the city. When the Koords did come he stood quietly looking on.
We circulated the assurances among the Christians to quiet their fears.
Thursday, November 7, the leading Christian and Moslem citizens held a meeting, at which they exchanged pledges; and then they went through the markets, opening the shops and exhorting the people to go about their business. But during these last few days Turks and Moslem Koords had been attacking Christian villages. Every day we could see the smoke of burning villages, and the circle of fire kept on contracting around the city.
The Koords engaged in these attacks were not the Dersim Koords, but the Moslem Koords who live in this vicinity. They were joined by the Turks, who gave Christians the alternative of becoming Moslems or giving up their lives. This terrible work was going on all over this region. In a few places, like Diarbekir and Malatia, the Christians were armed and tried to defend themselves, but in most places they attempted no resistance, but abandoned their houses and fled for their lives.
Friday and Saturday, November 8 and 9, the people did little but watch the work of destruction in the villages, and talk of their fears. On the 9th we received your first telegram, “Are you well?” and we replied (our second telegram), “Well; but danger great and imminent.” Some of the leading Christians were still striving to preserve the peace and induce Moslems to protect Christians.
Sunday, November 10, we had heard that Moslems were excited by reports that we had large supplies of arms and ammunition which we were distributing. I had already taken all weapons from our school boys. Dr. Barnum now went in person to the city government and delivered to them all the revolvers we had in our possession—five, I believe. Some of the leading Christians, accompanied by Moslems and officials, went to the houses of the Christians and removed their weapons, which were freely given up. The Christians thus cast themselves [Page 1372] wholly upon the protection of the government. In all that followed, I have not heard of a single Christian who fired upon a Moslem, nor have I learned that a single Moslem was hurt.
The officials renewed the assurances they had given before that they would protect the Christians.
A few rowdies of the city tried to make an attack upon our buildings Sunday morning, but they were sent off by the soldiers.
Monday, November 11, a few Koords attacked the Christian quarter in which we live. The soldiers on guard there fired a few shots and then walked off, while the assailants entered houses and shot three persons, all of them Protestants. Finally a young lieutenant led a few soldiers against them. The Koords were easily driven off and several were captured, but they were allowed to go away unpunished.
During the forenoon soldiers were posted on a hill, commanding the principal road which comes into the city from the plain. The road here passes through a narrow gorge, which could be easily held by a small force. The soldiers had one cannon.
The large village of Husenik, a half hour distant from the city, was plundered during the morning and many were killed there. They are still taking bodies from the ruins.
About noon the soldiers began firing. I at once took up a good post of observation on the balcony of our house, which is high up on the hill, and watched events through a field glass.
The firing soon ceased and a crowd of Koords and Turks came up the hill toward the soldiers. I should think there were about 800 of them. They had no military formation, and many of them were armed only with clubs and knives.
The soldiers held a strong position. With 50 good soldiers I think I could easily have turned back that crowd.
Some of the officers went down the hill a little ways to meet the Koords, and a conference was held in which some of the principal Moslems of the city joined. I could see the speakers addressing the crowd, but of course I could not hear what was said. One of the soldiers guarding our houses has since said that the Koords said they only wanted to burn the houses of the Protestants and that would satisfy them.
The conference lasted but a short time; then the bugle blew and the soldiers, led by their commander, marched leisurely back to the city, dragging their cannon. The Koords sat down on the hill and waited until the soldiers took up a position where the road enters the city; then they began to advance in a scattered body, firing shots and shouting, “Allah! Allah!” The soldiers did not fire a shot in reply; when the Koords reached them they simply guided their course and prevented them from entering the Christian quarter by the direct road, on which there are Moslem houses. The Koords jumped over a garden wall in the valley below the soldiers and entered the Christian quarter from the lower side. Then the soldiers began to fire, and I felt encouraged, as it seemed to me they could easily drive off such a foe. But, to my amazement, I soon saw that the soldiers were firing, far above the heads of the Koords in the valley below them, right into the Christian quarter. Smoke soon began to rise from the Armenian school, and the work of plunder became general.
I left my post of observation and took my family to the girls’ school building, where I continued to watch the work of destruction from the windows. The work of plunder was largely done by the Turks of the city. They poured into the houses, each one carrying off a load and [Page 1373] stripping the houses in an incredibly short time. Those who were armed fired into the windows of the houses. As soon as a house was plundered they set fire to it. A large number of Christians took refuge in our buildings.
There were a few soldiers in the streets, and I watched them to see if they would protect our premises. They did not attempt to do so. Soon the gate of the Browne and Allen houses was broken in, and the people gathered there fled toward the hills behind our premises. As they passed up the steps between my house and the girls’ school a storm of bullets flew around them and four perons were wounded. Many of these bullets struck my house. Some passed through the casements of the windows and buried themselves in the walls. Taking the direction of these bullets I found that they were fired from the place where the soldiers were stationed. There were no Koords there then, all having gone into the city to plunder. Moreover, they were not the round balls which the Koords use in their long guns, but the conical bullet of the Martini rifle.
In the crowd that fled to the hills were the widow, son, and daughter of the late English vice-consul of Diarbekir, Thomas Boyajian, also the leading professor of our college. These refugees were met by soldiers, who told them that unless they became Moslems they would all die in a few moments. So they returned to the girls’ school.
We remained in the girls’ school building until the Allen house, which adjoins it, was on fire and the school building itself in danger; then we left. Some of the missionaries went upon the hill. Dr. Barnum called the colonel commanding the soldiers, who told them to return and fear nothing, and sent soldiers with them. These soldiers all left but two, and they demanded a backsheesh as the price of their remaining.
We all gathered in the girls’ school yard, Dr. Wheeler and Mrs. Allen having been carried there in chairs. The soldiers were on the hill above us within stone’s throw, but they did not offer to help us. We expected to die, and encouraged one another to meet death bravely.
At last smoke issued from the windows beside us, and some one proposed that we go to the boys’ college building. As we were leaving the yard, some of the marauders appeared at the door of the building behind us. A Turk drew his revolver. Mr. Allen held up his hand to him not to fire, but he fired at him. I called out to him, “God chastise you,” and he fired at me. Some say he fired a third shot also, but although he was only 50 paces distant he did not hit anyone.
When we had all entered the college building, Dr. Barnum went again to the colonel and asked for a guard. A lieutenant and 10 soldiers were sent. From the college we watched the plundering of our buildings. Our goods were carried off before our eyes, the plunderers passing through the midst of the soldiers, who also joined in the pillage. The colonel himself stood a little higher up on the hill watching proceedings. Many of our goods were carried by porters to Turkish houses in the city.
After a little the governor of the city came to us on behalf of the colonel and mufti, saying that the college building would surely burn, and asking us to leave it. We refused to do so. He came a second time and kissed Dr. Barnum’s beard, entreating him to leave. Dr. Barnum told him: “We have lost all confidence in you. If the Government wish to protect us, they can do it here; and if they do not, we will die here.” The building was full of refugees, who would have been left to the mercy of the Turks had we gone out of the building.
[Page 1374]Soon after we had given this reply the bugle sounded, and all the soldiers left us. We were then wholly unprotected.
At this juncture the alai bey, Mehemet, a Circassian, arrived. He was the first man who showed any earnestness or efficiency in helping us. He went to the colonel and secured a strong guard of soldiers. He called for our fire engine and himself took the hose. With his aid we saved the high school building and house of the president of the college. If these had burned, the college would undoubtedly have gone too. We remained in the building that night with 450 refugees.
Tuesday, November 12, at daybreak the Koords appeared again. It was said that an order came to shoot the Koords. The soldiers fired upon them and they went away. Up to this time the soldiers said they had no ordersto shoot Moslems. It is said that a few Koords were killed that day. Others deny this. I did not see any killed, but the Koords were easily disposed of as soon as they understood that the soldiers meant business. I saw two soldiers lay down their arms that day. They said they would not oppose the Koords.
We had no more trouble from Koords, but we were now menaced by the Turks of the city. Our friend, the alai bey, came to us and asked us to leave the building, as we were not safe there. The Turks were determined to burn the building. We again refused. Word was also brought to us that the Turks were determined to kill Dr. Barnum, against whom they had special hostility. We have since found that a shell from the cannon burst in Dr. Barnum’s study, where his family gathered during those last trying days. We have found the pieces of the shell, including the percussion cap and fuse tube.
That morning I wrote letters to be sent in case of our death. But the alai bey remained with us and we were preserved. The people in the college building were crowded almost beyond endurance. We had no bedding and only a few mouthfuls of food, and Death seemed to stand always at the door; at any moment he might come.
Wednesday, November 13, we received your second telegram asking if we were well. The telegram read “Are you well, vvour reply.” The last two words we did not comprehend. We answered at once, “Lives and four buildings saved; eight burned. Houses stripped. Country desolate. Many thousands dependent. Money needed.”
I need not go into the details of the last few days. The soldiers on guard were relieved by another and more efficient detachment. Dr. Barnum’s family, Mr. Allen’s, and my own, and the lady teachers moved into our two houses, leaving Dr. Wheeler’s family, Mr. Ellis, and a number of refugees in the college building.
We found our houses strewn with a mass of débris. What could not be carried off was broken; pictures were thrust through. Many of us have not even a change of underclothing, and we are sleeping on borrowed beds. Our condition is better than that of thousands of people who have no houses to shelter them, no clothing, no food. In many places there has been great loss of life. The exhortations of the missionaries to the Christians here to attempt no resistance without doubt saved hundreds of lives. One of our pupils and two preachers in this vicinity have been killed, others were wounded. We have no returns yet from many places. It is impossible to make any estimate of the number killed. Great pressure is being brought to bear upon Christians to become Moslems.
The tide of desolation has swept over this whole region down to Mar-din, and the country is laid waste.
[Page 1375]On Saturday, November 16, we received your last two telegrams (third and fourth) together. We were greatly cheered and encouraged by them and by the assurance they brought to us that you were caring for our interests. We replied as follows:
Fourth telegram. Telegrams of 14th and 16th just received. Our quarter, eight houses in city, and garden houses burned. Miscarriage caused. Special malice toward us. Shell burst in my house. Raiders protected by soldiers, who fired at our houses and joined in plunder. Great religious pressure and terror. Multitudes killed in vilayet. Survivors destitute. Our loss probably $100,000. Ourselves protected now.
Barnum.
This morning the major of the soldiers came to find out about arrangements for the winter. We told them that the responsibility for our protection rested upon them and we must leave it to them to decide whether they would continue to occupy our school building or whether they would find quarters in the vicinity. They said if the responsibility was theirs they thought it better for them to stay here, so they are making arrangements to spend the winter in our high-school building.
May God guide you and all who are charged with responsibility in this great crisis of the history of this land.
In behalf of Harpoot station.
Sincerely, yours,
C. F. Gates.
Your telegram saying that you had demanded protection for us and obtained the promise of it produced an excellent impression here, and was very helpful to us.
November 20.
We have to-day received your telegram of November 18, and replied as follows:
Miscarriage. Mrs. Gates. Promises of protection were abundant, but unfulfilled until after catastrophe. Buildings are isolated. They were set on lire separately in the presence of soldiers. Male college and preparatory building saved by own engine and efforts; also Gates’s house and mine.
Personal property, $33,000; buildings, $14,000; apparatus, $11,000; total, $88,000. Details by to-day’s mail. Demand its safe delivery.
Barnum.
I inclose a statement of loss. It has been prepared amidst a tremendous pressure of work and care, so please excuse the form.
This loss represents the accumulations of nearly forty years, during which school material and mission property have been slowly gathered. It was all swept away in a few hours. I have tried to state the facts fairly. To us it is perfectly evident that the responsibility for all this loss rests fairly and squarely on the Ottoman Government. It will require years to replace what we have lost. Some of our circle have labored here for nearly forty years, and now they see the work of a lifetime swept away, and the people they labored for crouching in the ashes of their homes. It is inexpressibly sad.
No indemnity the Ottoman Government can give will cover this awful loss; but we leave that to God. The least we can demand is that our pecuniary losses shall be made good. If this indemnity can be secured quickly, it would be a help to us. We are destitute, and winter is upon us. Two of our number are confirmed invalids, and it is difficult to make adequate provision for their comfort.
The professors and tutors of our college who were not living in the buildings have lost all they possessed. I do not know whether we could rightfully claim anything on their account, but I wish relief might be [Page 1376] obtained for them in some way—if possible, by way of indemnity. Their loss would amount to several thousand liras.
Again thanking you for your prompt and energetic action in our behalf,
I remain, etc.,
I omitted to say that fire was set in Dr. Barnum’s house in three places, and books saturated with oil were found in mine.
Statement of loss of American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions and Euphrates College.
buildings
| American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions: | |||
| Theological Seminary | $2,000 | ||
| C. H. Wheeler’s house | 3,000 | ||
| Rooms of Misses Bush and Seymour | 1,500 | ||
| J. K. Browne’s house | 3,500 | ||
| O. P. Allen’s house | 4,500 | ||
| Book depository | 800 | ||
| Four garden houses burned and one damaged | 1,400 | ||
| $16,700 | |||
| Euphrates College: | |||
| College chapel | 5,000 | ||
| Dormitories, primary department, and boarding hall | 4,000 | ||
| Girls’ college and primary department | 17,000 | ||
| 26,000 | |||
| Cost of clearing the ruins | 1,000 | ||
| Total for buildings | 43,700 | ||
stock and apparatus.
| American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions: | |||
| Books in depository | $1,000 | ||
| One safe destroyed | 100 | ||
| Money and drafts | 450 | ||
| Touring outfit | 250 | ||
| $1,800 | |||
| Euphrates College: | |||
| One safe destroyed | 110 | ||
| Money and drafts | 568 | ||
| Kindergarten materials | 50 | ||
| Loaning library | 250 | ||
| Boarding departments, male and female— | |||
| Money | $80 | ||
| Stoves | 500 | ||
| Utensils | 900 | ||
| Notes destroyed | 500 | ||
| 1,980 | |||
| Two mimeographs and supplies | 50 | ||
| One Hammond typewriter and supplies | 125 | ||
| Desks and blackboards | 400 | ||
| Eleven teachers’ desks | 75 | ||
| Chairs and settees | 200 | ||
| Chemicals and tubes | 100 | ||
| Maps and apparatus | 800 | ||
| Wood | 200 | ||
| Lamps | 150 | ||
| Loss of tuition | 3,000 | ||
| Loss of notes for tution | 200 | ||
| Fifteen stoves | 150 | ||
| Pictures | 50 | ||
| Medicines | $50 | ||
| Sewing machines | 75 | ||
| Eight organs | 775 | ||
| School material in Wheeler house | 450 | ||
| $9,808 | |||
| Total for stock and apparatus | 11,608 | ||
personal loss.
| Rev. H. N. Barnum: | |||
| Horse, mule, and saddle | 200 | ||
| Furniture and carpets | 500 | ||
| Clothing | 600 | ||
| Stores | 200 | ||
| Sundries | 200 | ||
| 1,700 | |||
| Miss Emma Barnum: | |||
| Horse and saddle | 125 | ||
| Furniture and bedding | 175 | ||
| Clothing | 250 | ||
| Jewelry | 50 | ||
| Sundries | 50 | ||
| 650 | |||
| Rev. J. K. Browne: | |||
| Saddles and bridles | 80 | ||
| Clothing | 250 | ||
| Bedding | 140 | ||
| Furniture | 435 | ||
| Books, stationary, and pictures | 645 | ||
| Stoves and hardware | 300 | ||
| Organ | 200 | ||
| Sundries | 300 | ||
| 2,350 | |||
| Miss C. E. Bush: | |||
| Horse | 100 | ||
| Saddle | 20 | ||
| Organ | 350 | ||
| Books | 30 | ||
| Canned food | 15 | ||
| Stationery | 35 | ||
| Furniture | 268 | ||
| Clothing | 433 | ||
| Sundries | 59 | ||
| 1,310 | |||
| Rev. E. S. Ellis: | |||
| Furniture | 350 | ||
| Clothing | 100 | ||
| Books | 350 | ||
| Sundries | 100 | ||
| 900 | |||
| Miss H. Seymour: | |||
| Horse and saddle | 75 | ||
| Clothing | 379 | ||
| Bedding | 60 | ||
| Furniture | 121 | ||
| Medicines | 25 | ||
| Sundries | 145 | ||
| Stoves and hardware | 55 | ||
| Books, stationary, and picture | 70 | ||
| Jewelry | 5 | ||
| 935 | |||
| Miss M. L. Daniels: | |||
| Clothing | 520 | ||
| Books | 175 | ||
| Furniture | 170 | ||
| Personals | 140 | ||
| Bedding | 35 | ||
| Pictures | $20 | ||
| Stationary | 25 | ||
| School materials | 250 | ||
| $1,335 | |||
| Rev. O. P. Allen: | |||
| Furniture and furnishings | 854 | ||
| Clothing | 635 | ||
| Books and maps | 450 | ||
| Crockery and utensils | 255 | ||
| Food | 295 | ||
| Copper utensils | 10 | ||
| Saddles | 60 | ||
| Trunks | 35 | ||
| Horse | 75 | ||
| Typewriter (Yost) | 100 | ||
| Typewriter (Hall) | 27 | ||
| Bath chair | 60 | ||
| Pictures | 250 | ||
| 3,113 | |||
| Rev. C. F. Gates: | |||
| Furniture | 760 | ||
| Clothing | 869 | ||
| Bedding | 379 | ||
| Shoes | 72 | ||
| Carpets | 278 | ||
| Curtains | 61 | ||
| Emboroideries and silks | 53 | ||
| Two watches and silver | 151 | ||
| Jewelry | 77 | ||
| Hardware and tools | 287 | ||
| Food | 132 | ||
| Medicines | 20 | ||
| Saddlery | 146 | ||
| Horse, donkey, and cow | 188 | ||
| Crockery and lamps | 100 | ||
| Table linen | 60 | ||
| Sundries | 398 | ||
| Trunks and satchels | 35 | ||
| 4,066 | |||
| Rev. C. H. Wheeler: | |||
| Notes and bonds | 2,200 | ||
| Accured interest | 1,500 | ||
| Money | 79 | ||
| Cothing and materials | 1,342 | ||
| Furniture | 1,000 | ||
| Carpets | 100 | ||
| Bedding | 230 | ||
| Books | 400 | ||
| Stationary | 10 | ||
| Pictures and photographs | 450 | ||
| Watch, silver, and gifts | 193 | ||
| China, table linen, and kitchen utensils | 475 | ||
| Provisions, fuel, and medicines | 750 | ||
| Boots and shoes | 35 | ||
| Sundries | 246 | ||
| 9,010 | |||
| Miss E. C. Wheeler: | |||
| Money | 102 | ||
| Clothing and materials | 1,138 | ||
| Furniture | 1,100 | ||
| Carpets | 220 | ||
| Bedding | 215 | ||
| Organ and sewing machine | 250 | ||
| Books | 275 | ||
| Stationery | 40 | ||
| Photographs and pictures | 300 | ||
| Jewelry, silver, and glass | $110 | ||
| China | 125 | ||
| Boots and shoes | 76 | ||
| Sundries | 404 | ||
| $4,355 | |||
| Total personal loss of missionaries | 29,724 | ||
| Students and teachers living in colleges— | |||
| Male | 1,000 | ||
| Female | 1,853 | ||
| Loss of gatekeeper | 100 | ||
| Total of personal loss | 32,677 | ||
summary.
| Total loss of building | 43,700 |
| Total loss of stock and apparatus | 11,608 |
| Total personal loss | 32,677 |
| Total loss | 87,985 |