Mr. Terrell to Mr.
Olney.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, December 6,
1895. (Received Dec. 23.)
No. 711.]
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I
received the inclosed letter (copy) from Admiral Selfridge on the 20th
ultimo, and applied to the Sultan for permission for the cruiser Marblehead to visit this port, which he very
politely declined to give for the alleged reason that similar
applications would then be made by the representatives of other powers,
which he could not possibly grant.
I had not been favored with any knowledge of the instructions to the
admiral, and presumed, naturally, that he was authorized to thus request
permission to come here with his boat.
I inclose also a copy of my answer to Admiral Selfridge’s letter, and, in
this connection, also a copy of your telegram to me having reference to
the matter, dated December 5, and also a copy of response by
telegram.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
711.]
Admiral Selfridge
to Mr. Terrell.
U.
S. S. San Francisco,
Marseilles France, November 15, 1895.
Sir: Considering it very desirable that I
should confer with you relating to the disturbances in the East, I
have the honor to request that you will procure a firman from the
Porte for me to visit Constantinople in the Marblehead, the smallest vessel of our squadron.
The Marblehead has a displacement of 2,000
tons.
Very respectfully,
Thos. O. Selfridge,
Rear-Admiral, U. S. N.
[Inclosure 2 in No.
711.]
Mr. Terrell to
Admiral Selfridge.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, November 20, 1895.
Sir: I have applied for permission for your
visit to this city in the Marblehead, as
requested by your letter from Marseilles of the 15th instant. Will
wire through consul at Smyrna the reply when received.
There is a feeling here of much apprehension, and the news from the
interior of Asia is fearful. Certainly over 20,000 men have been
killed in cities and large towns away from the seacoast, while the
country from the Black Sea to the Caspian is believed to be
desolated.
[Page 1384]
The cooperative action of European Powers, if agreed on, is not known
here. If there should be an effort by their boats to rush the
Dardanelles and reach this city, the interval between the effort and
the arrival of the fleet here would be one of much danger to
resident Christians. Other Governments have dispatch boats on which
their people could take refuge. Ours has none.
I would feel obliged to you if you will inform me from time to time
of the places at which telegrams may reach you while in the eastern
Mediterranean.
If you receive no telegraphic answer to your request to pass the
Dardanelles, it will be because none has been given. The transaction
of business which requires a written answer from either the palace
or the Porte has become almost impossible.
Very respectfully,
