Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 7, 1896, and the Annual Report of the Secretary of State

Mr. Terrell to Mr. Olney.

Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, December 25, 1896. (Received Jan. 8, 1897.

No. 1118.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith the copy of my letter to the Rev. H. O. Dwight of the 23d instant, and his answer thereto of the 24th instant, which refer to his knowledge about the closing of mission schools. I have sent like inquiries direct to all the school stations in Turkey. The answers I hope to transmit before leaving this post.

I have, etc.,

A. W. Terrell.

[Inclosure 1 in No. 1118.]

Mr. Terrell to Mr. Dwight.

December 23, 1896.

Sir: I am requested to ascertain and at once report answers to the following questions:

1. What violence, if any, has been inflicted by the Turkish Government or by Ottoman subjects on American missionaries residing in Turkey since March, 1893, aside from the cases of Miss Melton and Rev. Mr. Hubbard, both of which are known to the State Department, and the action thereon taken as well?

2. What schools, taught by American citizens in Turkey before the massacre began in 1895, have since been closed by the Turkish authorities? Where were they located; what was the name of the American teacher; at what time (approximately) were they closed, and when and by whom was the fact reported to the United States legation?

3. In what schools taught by American missionaries has the work of instruction ceased from any cause since the massacres began in the fall of 1893? If any such schools are now closed, why are they so closed and by whom were they taught before closing?

An early answer to these inquiries will greatly oblige me.

Yours, respectfully,

A. W. Terrell.

[Inclosure 2 in No. 1118.]

Mr. Dwight to Mr. Terrell.

December 24, 1896.

Dear Sir: In response to your favor of yesterday I can answer at once respecting the missionaries of the American Board only and those of this society residing in Constantinople.

1. No case of violence is known to me inflicted by the Turkish Government or by Ottoman subjects on missionaries of the American Board at Constantinople since March, 1893. This is understood to relate to violence to persons. The attack on the mission house and its pillage by Ottoman subjects on August 27, 1896, are known to yourself in detail, I believe.

2. No schools taught by missionaries of the American Board at Constantinople before the massacres began in 1895 have since been closed by Turkish authorities.

3. I know of no school taught by American missionaries of this society in Constantinople in which the work of instruction has ceased from any cause since the massacres began in the fall of 1893. I will at once communicate your inquiry to the other stations of our missions in Turkey and report the replies received.

The term “American missionary” applies to the agent of several other organizations than our own. Do you wish me to transmit your inquiries to these also?

The principal ones of these are those under the charge of the American Presbyterian Board at Mosul in the district of Hekiari (Van) in Syria; the Reformed Presbyterian Church Board at Latakieh and Mersine; the Mission Board of the Disciples of Christ at Constantinople and in the province of Sivas; and St. Paul’s Institute at Tarsus, in the province of Adana. I mention these, since I have thought it probable that you would prefer to communicate with them direct.

Very respectfully, etc.,

H. O. Dwight.