Mr. Olney to Mr. Terrell.
Washington, July 14, 1896.
Sir: I inclose herewith, copy of a note from the Turkish minister here, embodying the reply of Tevfik Pasha to the Department’s note to Mavroyeni Bey of May 29 last, copy of which was inclosed to your legation in my No. 987 of the same date, regarding the destruction of American property at Harpoot and the conduct of the Turkish authorities there in connection therewith.
Tevfik Pasha’s response merely repeats the allegation and denial heretofore made, and does not meet the circumstantial evidence heretofore adduced showing how the premises were set on fire, and that property of the missionaries was taken from their dwellings and afterwards openly used by the Turkish soldiery. It is unsatisfactory and can not be regarded as answering our just demand for reparation and the signal rebuke of those officers to whose negligence and connivance the original act of incendiarism and the subsequent robbery were attributable.
I am, etc.,