Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 7, 1903

Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay.

Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, October 6, 1903.

No. 596.]

Sir: There is no material change in the situation in Macedonia. The troops have been more active of late, but so have the bands, and individual acts of barbarism are a daily occurrence on both sides.

Many villages have been destroyed, but comparatively few people killed, as the insurgents are well informed, and after an attack upon the Turks generally flee to the mountains, where the troops are unable, to pursue them, leaving as a rule few people in the villages, which, in most cases, the troops find practically deserted, so that the greatest distress is caused by the destruction of houses and crops.

So much allowance must be made for exaggerations that it is difficult to estimate the number of people who are without homes and are now living in the recesses of the mountains, where cold weather and short supply of food will soon render their position very grave; but I think it fair to assume that the number can not be far short of 30,000.

The greatest distress is sure to prevail throughout northern Macedonia this winter, and as soon as it is practicable to do so it would be a humane and charitable move to solicit aid from generous-hearted people in America; but, as I cabled you this morning, I am of the opinion that such a move at the present time would be premature, and as open warfare has not been declared it would even be difficult to introduce the Red Cross Society, as the conditions in Macedonia are quite different from those existing in Armenia in 1896, immediately following the massacre, as only one class was in distress and the trouble practically over when England induced the Turkish Government to allow the Red Cross to enter, while in Macedonia all classes have suffered equally—Bulgars, Moslems, Greeks, and other races alike—and the insurrectionary movement continues.

Any relief movement made at the present time would no doubt be resisted by the Turks, and premature action might be misconstrued.

I have explained this matter fully to the American mission board here, and they are quite of the same opinion, and regret the hasty action taken by some of their overzealous members in the disturbed district in making appeal to the English and American public, which the board realizes is apt to cause trouble to the missionary interests, and the petition mentioned in the appeal which was to have been presented to the English ambassador and myself has been held in abeyance by the head officers here.

I inclose copy of recent reports from our consular agent at Salonioa in reference to the political situation.

I have, etc.,

John G. A. Leishman.

[Inclosure 1.—Telegram.]

Mr. Lazarro to Mr. Leishman.

United States Consular Agency,
Salonica, October 3, 1903.

Many threatening insurgents crossed frontier. Serious engagement took place Razlog. Many villages burning.

Lazarro.

[Inclosure 2.]

Mr. Lazarro to Mr. Leishman.

United States Consular Agency,
Salonica, October 4, 1903.

Sir: I beg to confirm my telegram of October 3 and to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram received on the 3d instant reading as follows:

“Continue sharp lookout and keep me fully posted.”

It seems that the number of insurgents who crossed the frontier was over 3,000, and that they attacked villages of mixed Mussulman and Greek population, making also use of bombs. It seems that in various serious encounters which the Turkish troops had with these bands the latter were temporarily checked and dispersed. The Turks, however, lost a large number of men—according to some reports very near 1,000.

I have, etc.,

H. P. Lazarro,
United States Consular Agent.