Mr. Terrell to Mr.
Olney.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, December 11,
1895. (Received Dec. 28.)
No. 717.]
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith
extract from a letter written by Mr. Lee, of Marash, containing a
further account of the massacre in that town.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
717.]
Extract from a letter from Marash, November 20,
1895.
On Monday there was a terrible massacre here. Hundreds, and perhaps
thousands, were killed. General pillage. Conflagration in three
Christian quarters. Seminary and academy boarding house pillaged and
seminary burned. Two seminary students were shot, one fatally. No
guard was sent us until after the massacre had continued hours and
the seminary was burned, although we had two weeks before asked for
a special guard. We were unhurt, but have no feeling of security,
although we have a guard on our premises.
Threats are now made to force the people to become Moslems. Terror
exists everywhere. When the Zeitoun affair is finished, we fear more
massacres here. This reign of terror began three weeks and a half
ago, and we had hoped for help before now.
We hear horrible stories till we can bear no more. Send urgent
appeals for help for these thousands of destitute women and
children. They will starve this winter if no help comes. Let all
funds given for relief be cabled from America and Mr. —— telegraph
to us.
We hear that something bad has happened in Aintab, but get no news
from there.
There was absolutely no uprising here by the people. They have fallen
like sheep.
