Mr. Olney to Mr.
Terrell.
Department of State,
Washington, January 20,
1896.
No. 806.]
Sir: Referring to the recent correspondence
with the Turkish minister here (of which copies have been sent to you)
in regard to the denial by the local Turkish authorities of the
statements made, on the authority of the missionaries who were witnesses
of the occurrences, that the Turkish soldiery had not efficiently
protected them or their dwellings at Marsovan and elsewhere, I now send
for your information copy of a communication addressed by the vali of
Aleppo to the United States consular agent at Aleppo in reply to a
letter from Admiral Selfridge, in which that report was mentioned.
The vali, Moustafa Zehni, it may be observed, does not mention the
locality where the efficient protection of which he speaks was afforded,
but his statements are presumed to have regard to the occurrences at
Marash. Respecting the alleged acts of pillage which you have reported,
it is noticed that the valfs denial is by no means explicit. He merely
says, “As to the sacking of the establishments, it has been reported to
me that it was an unfounded and false invention.” If the lately
preferred charge that bedding and other property of the missionaries
stolen during the outbreak at Marash are in open use by Turkish officers
be verified, the value of the reports made to the vali on the subject
becomes questionable.
I am, etc.,
[Page 1465]
[Inclosure in No. 806.]
The Vali of Aleppo to
the United States Consul at
Aleppo.
I have noted the letter of Admiral Selfridge, commander of the
American fleet, which was sent to me from Alexandretta through
you.
In this letter the admiral brings to my knowledge that the
establishments of the American missionaries were pillaged by Ottoman
soldiers and a portion of them burned, and states that he holds the
authors of these damages responsible, and requests the protection of
the lives and property of the Americans residing in this city.
In reply to the admiral’s letter I bring to your knowledge that the
houses and schools of the missionaries, surrounded by walls, were
protected by soldiers and gendarmes, so that no one could enter them
from outside. It is unknown since then how it was that a fire broke
out in one of the establishments. The fact is that as soon as the
fire broke out, the troops, led by officers, entered to localize and
put out the fire. As to the sacking of the establishment, it has
been reported to me that it was an unfounded and false
invention.
I have also to inform you that I have been notified that the
commandant of Marash, Ferik Pasha, has received from the American
missionaries a testimonial of satisfaction for the good services
rendered by the soldiers.
I have also to tell you that during the preceding troubles the
foreigners have suffered in nothing, and that at present all
foreigners and natives are very particularly placed under Government
protection.
I take this occasion, etc.,
Moustafa Zehni,
The Vali of Aleppo.
