Mr. Hirsch to Mr.
Blaine.
Legation of
the United States,
Constantinople, November 4, 1890.
(Received November 20.)
No. 177.]Sir: Among the American missionary schools closed
by the Turkish authorities some 6 years ago none seemed of greater
importance to the missionaries than those at Mejdel Shems, Ain Kunyet
Banias, and Hamath, which, all three of them opened fully 20 years ago, had
been in successful operation until closed as above stated, of which the
Department has full information from more than one of my predecessors.
Notwithstanding repeated efforts for their reopening have been made by this
legation, they have until now proved without avail.
The missionaries have been unceasing in their expressions of solicitude in
the result of these efforts, which I renewed immediately upon my return here
in September by again presenting the case to His Highness the Grand Vizier,
and finally obtaining from him an assurance of entire willingness to inform
himself as to its merits through the local authorities, as well as through
papers on file in his department to which
[Page 774]
I was able to call his attention, with the result
finally that, notwithstanding decided objections continued to be made by the
Damascus authorities, after various interviews running through about 6
weeks, His Highness sent several days ago by telegraph an order to the vali
of Damascus to permit the opening of these three schools. We now have
telegraphic news from the missionaries that the necessary orders have been
issued by the vali to the local authorities in the respective villages,
which, after so many efforts, will bring about the desired result.
The building at Mejdel Shems, which was formerly used for school and chapel
purposes, is the property of the missionaries. It was closed up and sealed
by the Turkish authorities about 6 years ago, as will be more particularly
seen from a letter of September 24, 1890, addressed to me by Mr. George A.
Ford, a copy of which is herewith inclosed for the information of the
Department. The permit to repair the building, which has been going to ruin
ever since its disuse, although applied for frequently, has never been
granted until now. I am gratified to be able to inform the Department that
it was issued at the same time with the permit for the opening of the
schools mentioned in this dispatch, and that the missionaries are greatly
elated at the result, as to the repair of the building as well as to the
opening of the schools.
Mr. Ford in his letter makes a claim for damages on account of the decay of
the building and other losses accruing, amounting in all to 220 Turkish
pounds. Notwithstanding the difficulties always encountered in endeavoring
to obtain payment on such claims, I called the Grand Vizier’s attention to
it with the observation that its justness entitled it to prompt
consideration. In consequence of an interchange of opinion with Mr. Ford,
and with his approval, I intimated to His Highness at a subsequent interview
that the consent of the missionaries to the abandonment of the claim might
be obtained by an early order for the permission of the necessary repairs of
the building as well as the the opening of the schools. These orders having
now been issued, as soon as their execution is satisfactorily accomplished,
the claim will be considered as abandoned by this legation.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure in No. 177.]
Mr. Ford to Mr.
Hirsch.
Constantinople, September 30,
1890.
Sir: As a commissioner of the American mission
in Syria, I have the honor to submit the following:
Six years ago two buildings owned by said mission and used by them for 25
years for school and chapel purposes, and also for residence of native
helpers, in Mejdel Shems and Ain Kunyet Banias (vilayet of Damascus)
were forcibly sealed by the Turkish officials, who assigned no reason
for doing so but the receipt, as they said, of vizieral orders.
This matter has been repeatedly presented to this legation in former
years through the consulate at Beirut, as well as directly, and knowing
that these flat-roofed houses, high up among the snows of Mount Hermon,
would soon be ruined by disuse, the consul at Beirut gave written notice
to the vali, in our behalf, that the Turkish Government would be held
responsible for the damage that might come to the buildings through
their being closed.
Last winter the building at Mejdel Shems fell in. The tottering portions
that remain are a menace to the safety of the passers-by upon the
street, and the fallen stones and timbers are an easy prey to poachers.
We are therefore now constrained to claim redress for the losses we have
suffered, and we ask, through your kind offices—
[Page 775]
First. A clear and decisive vizierial order
authorizing us to renew the fallen building. The vilayet always claims
inability to deal with this question and refers us to
Constantinople.
Second. The pecuniary settlement of damages to the
extent of 220 liras, which is a low estimate, 100 liras for restoring
the building and 20 liras a year for the 6 years on account of other
losses accruing.
We have been obliged to hire houses for the native preachers and to incur
other heavy expenses by reason of this seizure of our property, in
addition to the almost intolerable ignominy of being so treated by the
Government and the serious interference with our legitimate work.
These losses are very inadequately presented by the claim of 20 liras a
year for both places.
When these buildings were sealed the native preacher living in the second
story was obliged to move his family and goods through the windows by
means of a ladder, and the officials then quartered their horses for
months and stored the fodder in the basement, retaining all the
keys.
As a result of the efforts of the legation, orders were sent declaring
our right to the buildings for dwelling purposes, while strictly
forbidding all worship or instruction in them.
The keys were then delivered to us, but, when the native preacher moved
into the rooms, the officials came at once and threw his goods into the
street from the upper windows and sealed the doors a second time. The
same process was repeated later a bird time.
Third. A clear and strong order authorizing us to
reopen the primary schools closed in these two villages, where the
children of a community of 150 Protestants have been deprived for 6
years of every form of instruction, as well as treble that number of
Christian children of other sects who have always been dependent upon
our schools. These two schools were the first in Syria to conform, more
than 4 years ago, to all the requirements of the Ottoman school law, but
since ours were closed new French schools have been opened without
conforming to the regulations, and continue unmolested to the present
day.
As this is my second visit to Constantinople upon this unpleasant
business, and pressing engagements demand my speedy return, I trust that
I may obtain a speedy settlement.
I am, etc.,
