Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-19
DEMANDS ON TURKEY
Information Sent to the Senate by
the President.
RIGHTS OF AMERICAN CITIZENS
Mr.. Olney's Report Of Occurrences
in the Ottoman Empire.
THE ARMENIAN MASSACRES

The President today made response to
the Senate resolution of December 4, call
ing for information received by the State
Department respecting affairs. in Turkey.
The response is in the shape of report
by Secretary Olney, summarizing, but not
including the official correspondence, and
beginning with the massacres at Marash,
in August, 1891.
In subs tance the Secretarys report re-
counts ali that has been done to protect
American citizens against the rioters;
shows that while their property has suf-
fered ir two instances they have not been
injured in person; quotes Minister Terrell
as estimating the number of Armenians
killed at 10000, and after citing several
cases wherein naturalized Americans have
been oppressVely treated, states that
proper steps have been taken to secure in
demnity in all cases and to protect our
raturalized citizens in their treaty rights.
Americans in Armenia.
Secretary Olney says the number of
Urited States citizens in Turkey is not ac-
curately known. but that there are 112
American missionaries scattered over Asia
Minor, and numbers of our citizens in busi-
ness, besides naturalized Armenians tenn
porariy residing in Turkey, and that prob
ably The whole number Of these persons is
between 5o0 and 800. The bulk of this
American element is found in the interior
of Asia Miner and Syria, in quarters re-
mote from our consulates, isolated and in
accessible, except by difficult mountain
journeys. Secretary Olney says the efforts
of Minister Terrell to protect American
citizens have had the moral support of the
presence of naval vessels of the United
States the Syrian and Adanan coasts
from time to time occasion required,
and at the present time the San Francisco
and Marblehead are about to be Joined by
the Minneapolis, which has lately been or
dered to the eastern waters OF the Medi-
terranean.
Continuing, the Secretary says that while
the physical safety of our citizens apnears.
up to the present, to have been destroyed
on at least two occasions, the meager re-
ports from the Harpoot riots of NoVem-
Der last show that American mission prop
erty was destroyed to the estimated value
Of 0.C00, and the porte has been notified
that it will he held responsible for full
satisfaction The value of the property de-
stroyod at Mai ash November ~ by the
burning of the American Missionary School
of Science has not been ascertained, but af-
ter investigation indemnity will also be de-
n,anded in that case
Demands for Indemnity.
Apart from these general incidents, Sec
retary Olney reports upon several cases OF
Individual citizens who suffered in life and
person in Turkey, beginning with Lenz. the
h.cvclist, whose murder was unearthed
with the efficient aid of the British con-
sui at Erzeroum.' AT last accounts five or
six Kurds and Armenians were to be put
TO trial for the murder. George Webber, 4
naturalized American of Bavarian origin,
was killed by inhuman treatment while un-
der arrest. in disregard Of his passport and
the punishment of the guilty officials has
been demanded, and an indemnity will prob
ably be claimed The premises of DR..
Christie, a wel-known American mission
ary at Namrorn were invaded by an armed
mob. who attacked his servants and stu
dents. The as assaiants, though arrested,
were discharged by Turkish Judge but the
L. S. s Marblehead being sent to Mersine
to investigate the eight persons accused
were tried and confessed, and though
through Dr. Christies intercession light
sentences were imposed. the judge who first
discharged the prisoners was dismissed and
the incompetent mudir of Namroun is to
be degraded. Secretary Oiney says al this
point:
THE signal rebu<e administered in high
places where responsibility really existed
and was abused, coupled with the estab-
lshment of the important principle that
American iomcile in Turkey may not be
violated with impunty, renders the con-
clusion Of this incident satisfactory
Secretary Olney also treats of arrests of
American citizens in violation of treaty
rights. of which there have been a number.
He says this subject touches the long-stand-
ing contention between the United States
and Turkey over the treaty of 1890, recoS-
Gizing American extra territorial jurisdic-
tion in Turkey. On this point the Secretary
says:
committing offenses in Turkey has been so
uniformly and ably upheld by the suces-
sive Secretaries of State since contention on
the subject was flrSt proIcned in lSb2. that
no diminution of our claim can he considered
at this important juncture. Consequently
the United States minister at COnStantnople
has been instructed TO claim all rights under
the fourth article of the treaty of 1880, and
to offer to try any American citizen charged
with insurrectOn, rebellion. seditiOn or like
Offense, or, in the event Of suCh offer being
refused demand the release the O.
cusei. Inasmuch, however. as this govern
nent does not contest the paramount right
of a sovereign state to exclude or deport
for adequate cause. and IN proper manner,
aliens whose resort to its territories may he
perucous to the safety of the state, the re-
lease of such persons upon condition of their
leaving the country is not gainaaii.'
The massacre of Armenians.
Responding to that part of the Senate
resolution referring to the oppression or
cruelties practiced upon Armenian sub
jects, Secretary Olney says that owing 10
our failure to secure an independent in
Quiry into the 81 SSOun occurrences of
Al gust last, and being without power or
right to inquire into the internal adminis
tratiOn Of affairs in Turkey there or else
where except where American citizens are
concerned, our government is not in pos
session Of that authentic and impar tial
Knowledge which would enable it to make
full respor Sc to the Senate. Aside from
Constantiuople, Sivas and TTcbiZond. Our
information is mostly hearsay and unOtti-
cial.
That the predatory kuTds ravaged the
S;ssoLn district. that numbers of villages
were destroyed and many thousands of de-
fti seleSS Armenians were killed under cir
CT instances Of great atroCity. and that no
serit us efforts the part of the Turkish
authority were put forth to stay the
slaughter, seems to be generally conceded.
Since that time appalling outbreaks against
the Arnerians have occurred in many
other parts of Asia Minor, where these
unfortunate people form but a small minor
ity of the population.