Mr. McDonald to Mr.
Olney.
Legation of the United States,
Teheran, Persia, April
27, 1896. (Received June 4.)
No. 239, Dip. Ser.]
Sir: I am glad to be able to send a denial of
the alleged horrible massacre of Armenians and Jews at Van, reported in
my No. 235 by ——— ———, of ———. From the same source I am now informed
that the report was a huge exaggeration, and has dwindled from 22,000 to
four! Perhaps this is a sample of the truth
of other like rumors.
Herewith I also beg to send a translation of a copy of a note from the
Sadr Azem on the same subject, omitted inadvertently from my No.
235.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
239.]
Mr. ——— to Mr. McDonald.
Dear Sir: I reported last week that it
seemed established that a massacre had taken place in Van. Now what
seems to be reliable word has come that only a few men were killed—2
Moslems and 2 Armenians. The Government prevented any general
encounter. The roads are now open again, and one caravan has come in
to the old city of Salmos. I am much gratified to know there has no
massacre taken place. After the Van caravan came in the excitement
here died down somewhat, but the suspense is still agonizing. The
people are in terror, and the expectation is that any day the Kurds
may make a descent on the Christian villages. By all means a force
of Persian soldiers should
[Page 473]
be located here on the plain until matters quiet down. The awful
suspense would thus be relieved somewhat and the people be able to
go about their business.
A soldier (Persian) who has just come from Khoi says the Armenians of
Kotur (some forty families) are being plundered by the Kurds, their
neighbors.
Yours, in haste,
——— ———.
[Inclosure 2 in No.
239.—Translation.]
The Sadr Azem to Mr.
McDonald.
Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of
your excellency’s letter of the 3d of Zeekadeh (17th April),
inclosing translations of two letters from Mr. ——— concerning events
on the Kurdistan frontier. I have to thank you for the trouble you
have taken in sending me information of such great importance and
interest.
Orders and instructions were immediately telegraphed to the
authorities. I hope that the frontier regions of Persian territory
will continue peaceful and free from disquieting ideas.
I take this opportunity, etc.,
[
Seal of the Sadr Azem
.]
Dated 5th of Zeekadeh, 1313 (April 19,
1896).
