PERSIA. PROTECTION TO MISSIONARIES ON THE PERSIAN BORDER. No. 218, Dip. Ser.] Mr. McDonald to Mr. Olney. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Teheran, Persia, December 14, 1895. (Received Jan. 18, 1896.) SIR: I regret to report the prevalence of some feeling of uneasiness lest the disorders and turbulence in Turkey should spread into Persia. I ask attention to inclosed copy of extracts from a letter from to one of the missionaries of this city. at is a very cautious, conservative man, not at all sensational, and this is the first note of warning I have ever had from him. He was born in was reared there, and is thoroughly acquainted with the people and country, and is in every way trustworthy. I have telegraphed him to notify me immediately of any signs of approaching danger. We have missionary settlements in Tabreez, Oroomiah, and Salmos of the Azerbaijan Province, all exposed to incursions from the Turkish border or to native outbreaks. I find that the missionaries here are somewhat nervous about their colleagues at those towns, though they have no apprehension of any trouble in Teheran. I have heard, however, that the mullahs (native priests) are saying that they must naturally side with the Turks. Dr. George W. Holmes, of Hamadan, writes me: Everything is quiet here at present, but we feel somewhat apprehensive of the effect on the Persians of the disturbances in Turkey. I have just to-day had a very satisfactory conference with the British minister, Sir Mortimer Durand, and we are thoroughly in accord and will cooperate in case of an emergency. I will also confer with the French and Russian ministers, all of whom have countrymen or "subjects" in the exposed districts. The prime minister is at present absent from the capital, but on his return, in a day or two, I purpose having an interview with him and ask for every possible precaution for the protection of my countrymen. I do not wish to create any alarm in the Department, for I am more than hopeful (now sanguine) that we shall escape any serious race or religious trouble in Persia, but think it timely and proper to advise you of the condition of affairs and the state of feeling as they seem to exist at this writing. Be assured I shall spare no effort for the safety and well-being of my worthy and excellent country men and women in Persia. I have, etc., ALEX. MCDONALD, P. S. Since writing the foregoing I have had an interview with the Russian chargé d'affaires, and find that he does not think there is any danger, except from incursions of Kurds across the border; and he says they (the Russians) have forces so disposed along the frontier that they could afford speedy relief if needed. McD. [Inclosure in No. 218, Dip. Ser.] Extracts from letter. * November 29, 1895. * Almost every day we get new reports of massacre, plunder, etc. I speak of this primarily for the Christians of Turkey, but almost as much for the Christians in this part of Persia. Both in Tabreez and nearer the Turkish frontier the Moslems are getting excited over the successes of the Moslems in Turkey and jealous of their easy way of enriching themselves with the plunder of Christians. Hamedieh, on border of Salmos, have destroyed 46 Christian villages. Two weeks ago they even attacked the Christians in Kotûr, but the Persian garrison succeeded in keeping them off. To-day a letter from missionaries in Van reports them in danger of a massacre in Van. The Kurds had destroyed all the villages right up to the town. Van is full of starving refugees. Mr. Howard, who was in Teheran last spring, is back again trying to get to Van to help the starving. So far all attempts have proved unsuccessful. He has now gone from Khoi to Julpa to spend $100 in telegrams to the West. He will then come here, and I will see if I can not get him through by aid of the Kurdish chief of Bashkallah, one of whose men is now in our hospital. * No. 220, Dip. Ser.] Mr. McDonald to Mr. Olney. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Teheran, Persia, January 8, 1896. (Received Feb. 15.) SIR: I have the honor to forward as an inclosure a copy of another letter from of It will be seen that he reports continued turbulence and outrage across the Turkish border, and some even on the Persian side. He says: "The Persian along our border are talking very loudly and threatening the Christians with despoliation and destruction." He adds: "We are not and have not been in any danger that I know of. The only thing is that if next spring the Turkish troubles are not quieted we shall look for great disturbances here." In this connection I have the honor to report that since my last communication I have had an interview with the Sadr Azem. I represented to him in strong terms the exposed condition of my countrymen in that quarter of Persia; stated my anxiety concerning them, and that my Government would surely expect His Majesty's Government to be prepared to afford them ample protection. His highness responded very cordially to my communication, saying that he was giving the subject constant thought and attention; that he was in daily telegraphic communication with the authorities of the Azerbaijan Province; that he had dispatched a regiment of soldiers to Khoi, and that he believed the Government was prepared for any emergency that might arise in that province, but requested me to give him the benefit of any information which I might receive. His highness added that the Kurds were most troublesome and undesirable neighbors as well as subjects, being nothing better than robbers and murderers, and that the Sultan was much to be blamed for allowing them to have arms. I have, etc., ALEX. MCDONALD. [Inclosure in No. 220, Dip. Ser.] Letter from December 14, 1895. DEAR Yours and Mr. McDonald's telegrams came to me here yesterday. I am afraid I have been misunderstood in the report I gave of affairs along the border. The condition is as bad as it can be just across the border, from Alesk and Kotur on to Van. As yet nothing serious has happened in Persia. A letter dated November 23, from Dr. Kimball, in Van, reports all the country about them in the hands of the Kurds, with the exception of three large villages near the city; 200 Armenian villages destroyed, 500,00 refugees homeless, penniless, and naked nearly. The city is full of these refugees, and all business is at a stand. They could not find cash for a £10 note even. They feared a massacre any moment, although the missionaries themselves hardly feared for their own lives. In Bitlis the missionaries could not go out of their houses. In a recent destruction of Armenian and Nestorian villages near Katur, the Shekoik Kurds of Persia (you know they live in Baradost and Somai, between Salmos and back of Ganlas and the villages of Angel), joined with the Turkish Kurds in carrying away the plunder. They have brought large quantities of sheep, cattle, and other property over here. In Ganlan these same Kurds attack the villages almost any night. The men of the village are out every night on guard. A few nights ago, as they chased quite a large party, they came upon the Kalunyee people, with their donkeys and bags, hanging about to have their share of the spoils. In Salmos the upper villages are in constant fear, too. These Shekoik Kurds have just brought 1,500 sheep from the Nestorian villages in Albak. Albak, you know, is over the border in Turkey. The Persians along our border are talking very badly and threatening the Christians despoliation and destruction. Their excuse is that the Armenians in Turkey have killed a number of Kurds. The Shiahs, too, are constantly talking in an insolent, threatening sort of way, and our Nestorians are usually very careful to avoid disputes and to give no excuse for quarrels. In a recent quarrel between the custom-house officials and the merchants, the Christians were advised by the sarperast (Christian headman) to keep out of the bazars. For five days the bazars were closed and all the merchants and their sympathizers were assembled in one of the mosques, but that has passed without serious result. There was an altercation in the bazars the other day between a Russian Armenian and a Moslem, which very soon brought up a crowd, and the Armenians had to take refuge in the caravanserai, which they held for some days with difficulty. The Mullahs took him (the Armenian) away from the sar-perast who was trying to protect him, and the ecclesiastics are doing about what they like now, e. g., recently the chief magistrate has taken men away from the prisons of the civil officers. I do not understand your telegram that it seems best to you that Mr. go to Teheran chapar (by post). I mention the above facts simply to show how the wind blows. We are not and have not been in any danger that I know of. The only thing is that if next spring the Turkish troubles are not quieted we shall look for great disturbances here. I am sorry to have to write so hurriedly, but the horses are at the door. Mr. and I are just going out to a village. Very sincerely, yours, No. 134.] Mr. Olney to Mr. McDonald. DEPARTMENT OF STATE. Washington, January 21, 1896. SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your No. 218, diplomatic series, of the 14th ultimo, reporting apprehensions of danger on the part of American missionaries residing in Persia near the Turkish border, and to express my appreciation of your precautionary inquiries looking to their safety. I am, etc., No. 224, Dip. Ser.] Mr. McDonald to Mr. Olney. RICHARD OLNEY. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Teheran, Persia, January 23, 1896. (Received Feb. 28.) SIR: Herewith I forward copies of telegrams received at this legation from Dr. Cochran and Mr. Howard at Oroomiah, requesting a guard to bring the American missionaries from Van, Turkey. Of course I could furnish no guard beyond the border. Neither could the Persian Government. It would have been simply invasion. Therefore I sent the answer inclosed. It may be proper to add that I was informed by the Persian officials that these refugees would be under armed protection from the time they crossed the border. I have, etc., ALEX. MCDONALD. [Inclosure 1 in No. 224.-Telegram.] Dr. Cochran to Mr. McDonald. JANUARY, 20, 1896. I beg to inform you that our citizens in Van want to be brought away from that city. It is, however, necessary to have some horsemen to accompany Howard to fetch the ladies and to protect them on the road. Reply. COCHRAN. [Inclosure 2 in No. 224.-Telegram.] Mr. McDonald to Dr. Cochran. Persian Government can undertake no protection over frontier. Terrell. Try MCDONALD. [Inclosure 3 in No. 224.-Telegram.] Mr. Howard to Mr. McDonald. JANUARY 20, 1896. It is very necessary that some horsemen should be got ready as soon as possible to bring our people from Van. HOWARD. No. 136.] Mr. Olney to Mr. McDonald. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your No. 220, diplomatic series, of the 8th ultimo, in regard to threatened trouble on the Turkish frontier, and to commend your reported efforts for the protection of American missionaries in that locality. I am, etc., RICHARD OLNEY. Mr. Olney to Mr. McDonald. No. 139.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, SIR: Your No. 224, diplomatic series, of January 23 last, has been received. It incloses the requests of Dr. Cochran and Mr. Howard, at Oroomiah, for a guard to bring certain American missionaries from Van, Turkey. To these requests you replied that the Persian Government could undertake no protection beyond its frontier, and that to do so would be invasion. Your view of the case is perfectly proper. These missionaries should obtain, through our minister at Constantinople, a Turkish guard to the Persian frontier. From that point to their destination in Persia your good offices can be invoked. The reported readiness of the Persian authorities to respond to such a request from you is appreciated. A copy of this correspondence has been sent to Mr. Terrell for his information. I am, etc., RICHARD OLNEY. No. 235, Dip. Series.] Mr. McDonald to Mr. Olney. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Teheran, Persia, April 20, 1896. (Received May 28.) SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith two letters from an American missionary aton the border of Turkey, giving report of horrible massacre of Armenians at Van, and depicting the dangerous and exposed situation of the Christians on the plains of Salmos and Khoi from murderous raids by the Kurds and Moslems of the border. I have sent translations to the Sadr Azem; and in a personal interview with him recently on the subject he expressed the most determined purpose to protect the Christians of that section, and said that a regiment had been ordered to Khoi. But I have reason to fear that this latter has not been done. I also sent copies of the second letter to the British and Russian ministers, they having subjects in the exposed districts, and received cordial acknowledgments and promises of cooperation. I have, etc., ALEX. MCDONALD. |