No. 571.
Mr. Wallace to Mr. Frelinghuysen.
[Extract.]
Legation of
the United States,
Constantinople, September 12, 1883.
(Received October 1.)
No. 274.]
Sir: In my dispatch No. 272 I inclosed a copy of a
paper with remark that the original had been transmitted to the Sublime
Porte. The subject was the attempted assassination of Rev. Mr. Knapp and Dr.
Reynolds, near Bitlis. On the 10th instant, through the courtesy of Mr.
Wyndham, Her Britannic Majesty’s chargé d’affaires at this capital,
[Page 883]
I was permitted to read certain
dispatches from Colonel Everett, British consul at Erzoom, relative to the
same subject, and make copies of them, which I transmit herewith. Mr.
Wyndham’s note accompanying the dispatches is also forwarded.
Observing that the information thus brought me would serve for more direct
demands upon the Porte than were contained in the paper referred to in my
dispatch No. 272, I was very much pleased to find that my clerk had, by
accident, failed to give the latter paper to the messenger for delivery to
his highness the minister of foreign affairs, whereupon I stopped it and
prepared a communication in its place, which I inclose to you by copy.* *
*
The situation of our countrymen in the vilayet of Bitlis is deplorable, and
certainly calls for energetic demands upon the Sublime Porte. It is very
difficult to draft a paper upon the subject and keep within the diplomatic
restraints. Let me hope my present communication to the minister of foreign
affairs will meet your approval.* * *
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 274.]
Mr. Wyndham to Mr.
Wallace.
Therapia, September 10,
1883.
My dear General Wallace: I inclose you a
dispatch which has reached me today from Mr. Eyres, providing copy of a
report he has addressed to his immediate superior, Colonel Everett.
According to his report it would be most desirable if Moussa Bey could
be arrested. Pray make such use of this report as in your discretion you
may think proper, and kindly return me the documents at your
convenience.
I also inclose a dispatch from Colonel Everett in which he expresses the
opinion that it would be advisable that you should take some action as
to the position of the missionaries at Bitlis, and states that Moussa
Bey was the man who cut down Dr. Reynolds.
Pray return me this dispatch also, and believe me, yours, sincerely,
[Inclosure 2 in No. 274.]
Mr. Eyres to Mr.
Wyndham.
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith, for
your information, two copies of a dispatch addressed by me to Colonel
Everett.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 3 in No.
274.—Extract.]
Mr. Eyres to Mr.
Everett.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that in
accordance with your instructions, I made inquiries concerning the
attack on the American missionaries near Bitlis. My powers of action
were much limited by my inability to apply to the authorities for
assistance, but I was enabled to obtain the names of three out of the
four men who were implicated.
The Christian inhabitants of Kubian (Khavenir), where Moussa Bey. son of
Mirza Bey, a powerful Koordish chieftain, resides, asserted that Dr.
Reynolds’s idea as to the cause of the outrage was perfectly
correct—that is, that Moussa Bey considered his
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honor insulted by the cool reception afforded him
by the two missionaries, though they were entirely ignorant at first of
his personality. He determined to revenge himself, and carried out his
determination in the manner already described by Dr. Reynolds. There
were, however, four men engaged in the affair, one being in reserve in
the bushes in case he was required. Moussa Bey in person was the leader,
but he was so far disguised that he wore the common Koordish costume of
black “aba” instead of the dress of a bey. He it was wiio used the sword
and attacked Dr. Reynolds. There were besides a servant of his own
village, Kubian, name unknown, and two Koords from the village of
Marnik, by name Sheref Oghlon Osman and Asskian Oghlon Hassan.
The governor-general of Bitlis, on hearing of the outrage, sent zaptiehs
to Mirza Bey, with orders to arrest the guilty persons. Mirza Bey went
with the zaptiehs to the village of Avzout, and pointed out four Koords
of another tribe as the guilty men. The zaptiehs arrested them, and
remained there the night, during which some person threw a bundle into
their room, containing most of the stolen property, though there are
still some articles of value missing. This was done probably in order to
throw the police off the scent as to what village the real malefactors
belonged to.
Dr. Reynolds and Mr. Knapp were, of course, unable to identify any of the
four men arrested, but they both agreed that one man much resembled the
leader of the band. This man is known to bear a peculiar likeness to
Moussa Bey. It seems altogether doubtful whether either of the
missionaries could identify the right men, as the whole affair passed so
quickly, but Mr. Knapp thinks he would be able to identify the leader of
the band. It would naturally be impossible to expect any of my
informants of the villages to give evidence in court, as they would most
certainly lose their lives if they had the temerity to adopt such a
course. Therefore at first sight it would seem difficult to obtain a
conviction, if the arrests were made. But even supposing Moussa Bey were
not one of the actual perpetrators of the deed, it is unquestionable
that both he and his father are responsible for all deeds of violence
done in their district. It is a saying amongst the people that a bird
cannot fly without their knowledge, and this Moussa Bey is a notorious
murderer and robber.
* * * * * * *
With regard to the question of escort, Dr. Reynolds did not ask for a
zaptieh to accompany him on his journey, but before starting he inquired
of the governor-general of Bitlis if there was any danger on the road,
and the answer was that the country was in a state of perfect security.
Dr. Reynolds, therefore, did not think it necessary to ask for any
escort.
I have only to add that the punishment of Moussa Bey would have a most
salutary effect on the Koords in the country around Bitlis.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 4 in No. 274.]
Mr. Everett to Mr.
Wyndham.
Erzroom, August 31,
1883.
Sir: Extracts which I have read from letters
received by the missionaries here from Mr. Knapp, their colleague at
Bitlrs, together with the contents of a letter which I myself have
received from him, seem to indicate that his position, as well as that
of the Protestant community at Bitlis, is very far from satisfactory. It
appears that both he and the lady teacher stationed there are frequently
stoned and insulted, and there is some probability of the inhabitants
injuring some buildings which are being erected by the Protestants under
firmans which they have lately received from
the Porte.
Mr. Knapp attributes the present attitude of the people to the absence of
any steps to obtain satisfaction for the outrage of June last. I have no
doubt that this supposition is in part correct.
I should therefore recommend, with a view to prevent further outrage and
possible disorders, that the American minister be advised of the
desirability of moving in the matter, and, if his Government takes any
interest in the buildings which are being now erected at Bitlis, of the
expodiency of procuring at an early date a special order to the vali
directing him to see that no damage is done to them.
I am expecting by every mail an official report on the subject of the
June outrage from Mr. Eyres; in the mean time I am able to inform you
that the affair was premeditated and that Moussa Bey, the son of Mirza
Bey, is the man who cut down Dr. Reynolds.
I have, &c.,
WILLIAM EVERETT,
Her Majesty’s Consul
for Koordistan.
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[Inclosure 5 in No. 274.]
Mr. Wallace to
Aarifi Pasha.
United
States Legation,
Constantinople, September 10,
1883.
No. 179.]
Highness: It is with the greatest regret I find
it necessary to call your attention again to the robbery and attempted
murder of Rev. Mr. Knapp and Dr. Reynolds by Koords near Bitlis, and to
inform you that the robbers have not been arrested and that the goods
and money taken by them have been returned, but in small part.
I beg to say, also, that it is now in my power to give you the
particulars of the robbery and of the succeeding action of the govern
or-general of Bitlis. Mr. Knapp and Dr. Reynolds, putting up for the
night in a house, failed to offer a cup of coffee to a person present
named Moussa Bey, of the village of Kubian (or Khavenir), and son of
Mirza Bey, a powerful Koordish chief. Moussa Bey conceived himself
insulted by the cool reception, and though the gentlemen, instantly they
found who the man was, politely sent him a cup of coffee, next day he
waylaid them as they were traveling along the highway. There were four
men engaged in the affair beside Moussa Bey; one his own servant, living
in the village of Kubian, and two Kurds of the village of Mornik. The
last two mentioned are named Sheref Oghlon Osman and Asskian Oghlon
Hassan. Moussa Bey was the leader of the party, and with his own hand
cut Mr. Reynolds down, and left him, as he supposed, dead from ten sword
wounds. The assistants beat Mr. Knapp with clubs until he was supposed
to be in the same condition. Both gentlemen were then dragged into the
bushes and left there, after being robbed of their valuables.
Before setting out on the journey the travelers, having been assured by
the governor-general that the roads were perfectly safe, went without
guards. When the affair was reported to the governor he made show of
action and sent zaptiehs to arrest the robbers, putting them in charge
of Mirza Bey, the father of Moussa. With the police the father went to
the village of Avzout, and there pointed out four Koords of another
tribe as the guilty men.
The four thus designated were taken into custody and presented to Messrs.
Knapp and Reynolds, who said they were not the robbers.
During the night in Avzout a bundle was thrown through a window into a
room occupied by the guard, which, on examination, proved to contain a
portion of the stolen effects—all of them which have in fact been
recovered. With this the governor rested from his efforts, and reported
the felons caught and punished, and the property retaken and returned.
Again I emphasize to your highness that the report is not true, and
more, the chief of the assassins, Moussa Bey, is at liberty and has been
all the time; and still more, your highness, the details I have the
honor of submitting to you are current through all the region of Bitlis,
having been first given out by Moussa Bey himself.
Out of great respect for the Sublime Porte, which cannot be supposed to
sympathize with misconduct in any quarter of the Empire, I refrain from
comment upon the course of the governor-general, except to refer to its
manifest inefficiency, giving ground to suspect him of using his
authority for the protection of the criminals rather than their
punishment. Coupling it with the reports of the condition of the vilayet
come to me since the affair of Messrs. Knapp and Reynolds, and recalling
that the orders already issued by your highness for the punishment of
the robbers have been fruitless, I see no hope of accomplishing anything
like redress unless a brave and impartial officer be sent there to
investigate the governor-general’s administration and take the business
in his own hands; and that 1 venture to suggest and even urge upon your
highness.
Such a step may serve to save the lives of many Christian people now in
serious danger; it will certainly result in securing to them the
enjoyment of legal, civil and religious rights of which they are at
present denied.
I have also the honor to demand that Moussa Bey and his fellow robbers,
Sheref Oghlon Osman and Asskian Oghlon Hassan be arrested and fully
punished. It may be, should this be done, that from fear of their live s
the people who might testify against the men will not speak out;
nevertheless I cannot but think it will do good to prosecute the case
with honest effort. In every event Mirza Bey and Moussa Bey in their
capacity of chiefs are responsible for the crimes committed by their
dependents. Could they be brought to just sentence it would
unquestionably lessen the demand for indemnity which otherwise it will
be my duty to present against the imperial Government in the
connection.
Should the Sublime Porte graciously conclude to act as I have taken the
liberty to suggest and demand, it will no doubt see that it will be
especially necessary that Messrs. Knapp and Reynolds receive extra
protection for some time to come. If
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neglect to offer a cup of coffee to a stranger was
enough to excite vengeance upon them so nearly ending their lives, they
will be held to much worse account if the assassins are arrested and
punished.
Not doubting that the Sublime Porte will listen to my appeal in the
matter,
I avail, &c.,
