New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-20
MINISTER TERRELL ACCUSED.
CHARGES THAT HE DOES NOT PROTECT
AMERICAN CITIZENS.
ARMENIANS IN CONSTANTINOPLE SAID TO HAVE
BEEN REBUFFED BY THE REPRESENTA-
TIVE OF THEIR ADOPTED COUNTRY
THE REPORTS DISCREDITED
AT WASHINGTON.


THE REPORTS DIsCREDITED
AT WASHINGTON.
Boston Dec 19-Ietters from Armenian born
American citizens. now abroad are filled with state
ments that United States Minister Terrell has
fused to afford them protection. Several cases of al
legged nagrant outrages perpetrated in the city Of
Constantinoplc he has, 1t is said treated with
pcte indifference.
The Rev. Mugurdieh Orabedian, of this city. tells
this story:
Hayrabed Jeknavoran. one of the bestknown Ar
menians in Boston, photographer, returned 10 his
native country last August. lie had resided in Bos-
ton nine years. and had become an American cit-
on his departure he obtained passports from
Washington. Landing Pire. Greece. he applied to
the American consul there to wise his passport 10
Ordoo. The consul replied that it was not necessary
that the American Minister at Constan;inope would
gye full protection and he himself would write, be-
sides Wnen Mr.. Jeknavorian reached Constantine
pie. however. he seized by Turkish officers,
beaten and dragged before the police tribunal The
only charge that he was an Armenian, and had
just returned from America.
The Judge. seeing his passports and hearing
his statements that he was an American citizen
ordered him taken TO the American Consui-General
The Consul General replied that he was powerloss
10 afford protection to one who had been born in
Armenia. although American citizen. Just
then Minister Terrell passed and the Consul-GenerA
called him in. Mr. Terrell tersey declared he could
do nothing and advised Mr.. Jeknavorian 10 90 back
to America at once. The latter much cast down
the thought that his long journey had been taken
all for nothing. and that he must 20 back without
seeing his family implored Minister Terrell to inter
ccde with the Sultan. but was again percmpior.ly
refused
But" exclaimed Mr. Jeknavorlan. "arc YOU not
sent here Tor the purpose Of extending the protoc
ton Of the United States over all her citizens VINO
visit here" ..u ,.,.
After being followed abou; FOR days by spies. Mr
IeknavOrian finally managed TO elude them and
escape across the Russian frontier BE Is now IN
Baioum- and writes indignant letters T. his friends
in Boston. He Is not sure ne says. That u might
not be we'll to become Russian subject for then
at least he might get "A chance 10 visit his Old home
her subjects to be treated with such iniignites.
Another of abominabe outrage IS that ~
years and was naturallzed citizen WIN iu.i pre-.
rogatives on landing in consiannope ne ,,s Wa AT
and after being beaten and abused; was thrust mo
Here he was Imprisoned three lays. with nothing
but black bread ana water At the end o, ina, ,1e m
he brought before the police tribunal ana on
showing his passport was sent 10 the American
and promised to lay the before Minister Terrell
The Minister made no attempt 10 obtain tedrs's lr
to obtain from the sultan pass permitting MI
Bedghlan 10 visit his home in Ordoo FOR f0dr
0dss ,o day ' AT q ias, the ecreay Of the legation al
vsed him kindly TO wait no onger OK, ne saal
T.
Turks" Mr. Beiighian had the greatest diihculy
IN getting aboard ship 20 return TO America. ana
i was only by brbing the officers thAt ne hha.lS'
with his wife got away In safety.
The cases Will be laid before Secretary Greshan
Washington, Dec. 19-In official circles little rei-
ance is placed reports without date from CON
stantinope via Boston impu;ing to Minister Terrell
an absence Of solcitude for American citizens. es-
peclally as all his correspondence with the state
Department indicates marked activity on ms part
In behalf Of Americans who have brought com
plaints to him. Mr. Terrelrs Americanisin. az indi-
Gated In official correspondence made public, has
always been OF the most vigorous sort and in many
Instances has been exc ,edngly frank iol dp"ina'
in his inslStancc mat American pdSSIoI'7 80 ''
spected 10y Turkish officials. ,.
The very brought into question IN the i'O-to.
complaint referred TO- Nj. Ttri"ll sent q Iu
account the STATE Department OF the arrest "l
Paul g. Bedghian in October last year. lie sdli
that Bedighian, Il naturalized citizen OF IN" lN4l'I
States. was arrested and deprived OF ms passport
and released bail, no OH nc" being ai''E'.
release was secured on demand OF the consul
General Of the United States Mr.. Terrell d.i nov
learn OF the until The day before Dc wrote, but
that I}edighian had been permitted II go mo i.,
Interior as be desired Mr. Terrell added: III" WILL
route for the United States on October =. 7"c-
rr,,rv Gresham sent Minister Terrell cable dis
patch recognizing the right Of Turkey 10 cNoi oiu1"
aliens. and stating that absence OF treaty NaH. IL
Jnfc!ans in the United States should be respected
by the Turkish Government. on the following Gay
Minister Terrell replied that he had demanded the
release and surrender Of BeIigh.an under th"
authority OF Instructions OF Mr.. Bayard TO hi'
The published volume Of diplomatic correspondence
energetic interference behalf Of American HaiG-
ralized citizens. and appears 10 reute IN every Itt
ticuar Belighian's story told to the Boston mis-
sionar.es.