[Inclosure in No. 772.]
Miss Coffing to
Mr. Terrell.
Hadjin, December 19,
1895.
Dear Sir: For your prompt and efficient
action on reception of my telegram of Tushruni Sani 25, I send my
hearty thanks and those of my associates, Miss E. G. Bates and Miss
A. E. Gwenson. Believe me that what I am about to write is the
greatest proof of the sincerity of those thanks, for those whom we
have found able and willing to help in one crisis we turn to in
another.
We know that in God’s hand are all our lives, but we believe that you
have been used as His instrument, and that, as ruler of heaven and
earth. He would not have us neglect the use of means. Therefore the
following statements and suggestions:
You doubtless have learned that Hadjin is a town in the very heart of
the Taurus Mountains, whose inhabitants are almost entirely Armenian
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Christians. Besides
those in direct connection with the Government, there are not more
than 15 non-Christian families in the place, and with the exception
of perhaps a dozen men all are poor and poverty stricken. But we
have to the north and west of us numerous non-Christian
villages—Turks, Koords, and Circassians. These have of late been
much inflamed against the Christians here.
Besides the causes existing everywhere throughout the country and
which exist, I fully believe, in a much less degree in Hadjin than
elsewhere, there are other causes in this region.
- First. The non-Christians in these villages are themselves
very poor; we should in Ohio call them “land poor.”
- Second. They have a very exaggerated idea of the money stored
away in Hadjin.
- Third. They have heard very exaggerated reports of the riches
others have obtained by killing and sacking, and are vexed at
anything which holds them back from obtaining their share of the
booty.
- Fourth. And stronger than any of the preceding, the very
efforts of our new kaimakam to do justice have enraged them more
than before he came.
- Fifth. I must not fail to state that much of our danger arises
from the fact that the very servants set to guard us have for
months received no pay.
Now let me say a few words in regard to our new kaimakam, Ismael Bey,
himself a Circassian.
I believe that he came here with a determination to do justice to
all, and that he still wishes to work on that line if he is upheld
by his superiors. * * *
I need not tell a servant of our own United States Government that
there are times when moral suasion is the very strongest kind of
force. Then what more would I have you do for us here’?
First. I would have you urge that Ismael be sustained by his
superiors in Sis * * * and Odana in his efforts to do justice to all
non-Christians and Christians alike. I would have you in some way
make it known to the Government in Constantinople that you are
constantly on the alert to see that the kaimakam is thus sustained,
and that you will consider it as a personal favor if this town is
spared the calamity that others have suffered.
In this I do not ask that guilty ones (if there are such) should be
spared—only that the innocent suffer not with the guilty. This
people have always been a quiet, law-abiding community.
* * * * * * *
If Uncle Sam thinks this telegraphing rather expensive, tell him that
25 of my near kin laid down their lives for him between 1861 and
1865.
One other thing I must speak of. You offered to procure an escort to
the coast for us three. If it comes to that, we will apply to you
for it, but please do not intimate to Turkish officials that it
would be a possible thing for us to leave here. Not as long as our
staying here can protect one of our large household (we are 60
souls) would we think of leaving. Not since my great-grandfather was
faithful as a steward on General Washington’s farm has one of our
name deserted the post of duty, and I shall not be the first to do
so. Miss Bates’s family presents no less honorable a record, and our
younger sister is no less true to the colors, though she can reckon
her American citizenship but two generations back.
Oh, that we could at least see some news in regard to our dear home
land! But even that is denied us. Not a newspaper for months.
Mr. Martin was more despondent last evening than I have yet seen
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him, feeling that there
was nothing more that he could do, and yet that the danger to Hadjin
was as great as ever. If he telegraphed to you or his own ambassador
(British), he would offend the kaimakam here, which would at least
be very impolitic. I felt that something more might be done;
therefore this letter, which I shall not show to him till it is far
on its way to you, thus leaving him at liberty to do what he can
with the governor.
By having it stamped, I hope to be able to send it so that it will
reach you a week earlier than if sent by the regular mail.
Yours,
P. S.—Since finishing this I have heard that there is a report
that the kaimakam who was removed from here a few weeks ago is
to be sent back. If you can possibly prevent this, I beg of you
to do so.
