Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-12
THE ARMENIANS.
Presidential Statement Of This Country'S
Position.
ALLEGED TURKISH ATROCITIES
Our Consul Mt Slvas Directed to Find Ont
the Exact Truth Touching
the Matter.

WASHINGTON. d. C., December H.
The President to-day sent to the Senate.
in response TO the Hoar resolution, the
Armenian correspondence. consisting OF
letter from the Secretary OF State and a
copy Of a telegram to Minister Terrell
The Presidents letter of transmittal
embodies the substance OF the corre-
spOndence. IL says:
I'm response to said resolution, beg to
inform the Senate that | have no in
formation concerning cruelties committed
upon Armenians in Turkey, or upon per-
sons because OF theil being Christians,
except such information as has baen de-
rived from newspaper reports, statements
emanating from the Turkish Government
denying such cruelties and two tele-
grahc reports from our Minister at Con-
stantinople. One of these reports, dated
November 2S. 1894. Is in answer to an in
quiry by the State Department touching
reports in the press ileging the killing
OF Armenians and 1t Is as follows:
Reports IN American papers Of Turk
ism atrocities at Slssoun are sensa-
tional and exaggerated. The killing
Turkish soldiers. The Grand Vizier says
1t was necessary to suppress lnsurrection,
and that about fifty Turks were killed
Between three and four hundred Arme-
man guns were picked up after the fight
ana the reports are that about that num-
Der OF Arnienians were killed. | give
credit to his statement
The other dispatch referred 10 is dated
December p 1894, and ie as follows:
information from the British Ambas-
sadOr indicates far more loss of lives In
Armenia, attended with atrocities than
stated In my telegram Of the 2Sth.'
Il have received absolutely no informa-
tion concerning any crueltles committed
upon citizens who have declared their IN
tention Of becoming naturalized in this
country or upon any persons who have
Il right to claim or have claimed for any
reason the protection Of the United States
Government
NO EXPOSTULATIONS.
'In the absence Of such authentic de-
tailed knowledge on the subject as would
justify our interference, no expostula-
tions have been addressed by this govern
ment to the government Of Turkey in
regard to such matters
The last inquiry contained In the Teso-
luton of the Senate touching these al
legged cruelties seeks information concern
ing any proposal made by or to this
government to act I'm concert with other
Christian powers regarding the same
''The first proposal of the kind re-
ferred to was made by the Turkish Gov
ernment, through our Minister, on the
seth day of November. when the Sultan
then expressed n desire that a Consul or
the United States be sent with a Turkish
10
atrocities on Armenlans. This was con-
strued as an invitation on the part of the
Turkish Government 90 actually take part
with a Turkish commission in an in
VestigatiOn of these affairs and any re-
port to be made thereon. and the pro-
position came before our Minister'S se-
cond dispatch was received, and at a time
when the best information in the posses
sion Of our government was derived from
his first report, indicating that the state
ments made in the press .were sensational
and exaggerated. and that the atrocities
alleged really did not exist. This condi-
tion very much weakened any motive for
an interference. based IN considerations
OF humanity, and permitted us. without
embarrassment, to pursue course plainly
marked out by other controlling incidents.
"By a treaty entered into at Berlin in
the year 1873 between Turkey and var-
Gus other governments. Turkey under
took to guarantee protection to the Ar
menians. and agreed that 10 would peri
odcally make known the steps taken to
this effect to the Powers who VIII super
intend their application
"Our government was not a party TO
this treaty. and II Is entirely obvious
that in the face of the provisions Of such
treaty. above recited. our interference IN
the proposed investigation, especially
without invitation Of any OF the Powers
which had assumed by treaty obligations
10 secure the protection of these Arme-
mans. might have been exceedingly en-
barrasrlng, II not entirely beyond the
limits of justification or propriety.
GETTING At THE TRUTH.
"Tho Turkish invitation to join the
investigation set on foot by that govern
ment was, therefore. on the second day
OF December declined. On the same day,
and after this decination had been sent,
our Minister at CoustantinOple forwarded
his second dispatch. tending to modify
his former report as to the extent and
character of the Armenian slaughter. At
the same time the request of the Sultan
for our participation in the investigation
was repeated. and Great Britain. one of
the Powers which Joined In the treaty Of
Berlin, made a like request
I'm view Of the changed conditions.
and upon reconsideration of the subject.
1t was determined to send Mr. Jewett.
our Consul at Sivas. to the scene Of the
alleged outrages. not for the purpose OF
joining with any other government in
an investigation and report, but TO the
end that he might be able to inform this
government as TO the exact truth.
instructions TO this effect were sent
10 Mr. Jewett. and II Is supposed that he
has already entered upon the duty as
signed him.
copies Of all correspondence and dis
patches in the State Department on this
subject and the report TO me Of the Sec
retary of State thereon.
(SigneD GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion. December II, 1924"
MR.. JEWETT MAY NOT REPORT
LONDON, December 1.-THE Daily
Newss correspondent In ConstantinOpie
says: There Is reason TO believe that an
arrangement will be made whereby the
report of the Turkish commission OF in
uuiry will be controlled. Probably, under
this development which is consequent
upon united action by some or all of the
Powers, Mr.. Jewett. the United States
Consul at Sivas. viii not be ordered 10
report on the result Of the inquiry The
latest suggestion is to appoint only the
foreign consuls at Erzeroum-namely.
those of England. France, and Russia.
THE SULTAN UNEASY
VIENNA December n.-Dispatches
from Constantinople indicate that the Ar
menian question is likely to lead to the
resignation Of the Turkish ministry. The
Sultan is believed to be greatly exercised
over the movement of the Powers in the
matter, and to await the result OF the
commissions inquiry with concern. 1t is
believed that Russia, France. Italy. and
| possibly Austria, will support Great
Britain, which is supposed TO be awaiting
the moral support of the Powers before
taking further action.