[Inclosure in No. 376.-Translation.] The Marques de Ahumada to Mr. Lee. GENERAL GOVERNMENT OF THE ISLAND OF CUBA, The minister of the colonies telegraphs to me to-day that Her Majesty the Queen Regent has signed a decree commuting the penalties of perpetual imprisonment and civil interdiction, imposed by the superior court (audiencia) of this territory, on the American citizen Mr. Julio Sanguily, for that of perpetual exile and its accessories. And having disposed that the orders of Her Majesty be complied with, I have the honor to inform you of the above, and that the proper orders are being given for the immediate release of the party concerned, so that he may leave this port for the United States by the steamer sailing next Saturday, the 27th instant. God guard you many years. MARQUES DE AHUMADA. KILLING OF SEGUNDO N. LOPEZ BY SPANISH SOLDIERS.' Message of the President. To the Senate of the United States: In response to the resolution of the Senate of February 2, 1897, I transmit a report from the Secretary of State relative to the killing of Segundo N. Lopez, son of M. F. Lopez, at Sagua la Grande, in Cuba. GROVER CLEVELAND. EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, February 11, 1897. The PRESIDENT: Report of the Secretary of State. Referring to a resolution of the Senate of the United States of February 2, 1897, in the terms following Resolved, That the Secretary of State be requested to send to the Senate any infor mation that he may have in regard to the killing, by Spanish soldiers, of the son of M. F. Lopez, an American citizen, at Sagua la Grande, in Cuba, and any report or letter from the American consul at that point relating to the subject— I have the honor to make the following report, with a view to its transmission to the Senate if deemed not incompatible with the public interests: It is claimed that Segundo N. Lopez, son of M. F. Lopez and a native of Cuba, was an American citizen-a claim which is supported by the fact that he was registered as such by the United States consul at Cienfuegos. On the other hand, his name is not to be found in the register of American citizens kept by the consul-general at Habana. The ex parte evidence in the possession of the Department tends to show that Lopez, in the middle of April last, was visiting relatives in a 1 Reprinted from Senate Doc. No. 120, Fifty-fourth Congress, second session. district of Cuba which he had been accustomed to frequent as an agent and interpreter of American buyers of tobacco for export; that he was not connected with the insurrection; that on the 11th of said April he was arrested by Spanish troops, being at the time wholly unarmed; that on being asked who he was by the officer in command, he at first replied that he was a "pacifico," and presently declared that he was an American citizen and produced papers which the officers looked at and returned to him; and that within a short time thereafter he was killed by the troops either by or without orders on the part of the officer in command, but so far as known without charges, process, or trial of any sort. The above brief summary of evidence on file in the Department is submitted because the same was communicated in strict confidence and on the express understanding that no clew should be given to the identity of the witness. Upon the receipt of the evidence above referred to the consul-general of the United States at Habana was instructed, August 21, 1896, to call upon the Captain-General of Cuba for an investigation of the facts respecting the death of Lopez, and for due punishment of all persons criminally connected therewith. The Captain-General promptly acceded to the request for an examination, and stated that the results when reached would be reported to this Government. Thus far, however, no report on the subject has been received, the last communication from the office of the Captain-General being to the effect that the inquiry was still pending, so that no definite conclusion could be given. Notice of a demand by the father of Lopez for indemnity for the inju ries sustained by him through the death of his son has been duly presented to the Spanish Government through our minister at Madrid. Respectfully submitted. RICHARD OLNEY. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, February 11, 1897. No. 803.] TURKEY. PROTECTION TO AMERICAN MISSIONARIES.1 Mr. Terrell to Mr. Olney. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Constantinople, February 6, 1896. (Received Feb. 21.) SIR: I have the honor to inclose herewith a copy of my note to the minister for foreign affairs, of date February 1, demanding increased protection for the Americans residing in Asia Minor. I have, etc., [Inclosure in No. 803.] A. W. TERRELL. Mr. Terrell to Tevfik Pasha. LEGATION OF THE UNITED States, SIR: In consequence of information which has reached me, I find myself once more under the necessity of demanding that the residences and property of all American missionaries in Asia Minor be provided with guards in sufficient number to insure their protection. Where ever possible it is requested that regular soldiers be employed for that purpose instead of redifs. Receive, etc., No. 805.] Mr. Terrell to Mr. Olney. A. W. TERRELL. LEGATION OF THE UNITED States, Constantinople, February 9, 1896. (Received Feb. 25.) SIR: I have the honor to inclose for your information a report from Consul Jewett on affairs at Marsovan. He was permitted to come to this city for consultation at the request of American missionaries. I have, etc., [Inclosure in No. 805.] A. W. TERRELL. Mr. Jewett to Mr. Short. CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: I would respectfully submit a brief report on the condition of affairs as I found them at Marsovan. For several years the position of the American missionaries at Marsovan has been a peculiarly trying one. They have been the object of See also Foreign Relations, 1895, Part II. 2 Written at Constantinople. calumnious attacks on the part of the Turks because of the unjust suspicion that they were teaching sedition, and at the same time the Armenian revolutionists have attempted to injure the Americans because of the strong position they have taken against the revolutionists and because the revolutionists were desirous of forcing our Government to interfere on account of some injuries sustained by the college really br apparently at the hands of the Turks. The Americans have succeeded in breasting the storm by carefully excluding teachers or pupils of revolutionary tendencies from the college, throwing the college open to the inspection of the local government, and by maintaining at all times a strong attitude against the revolutionary movement. Quite recently the students of the college have been informed that no one would be allowed to enjoy the privileges and protection of the college unless they solemnly promised to refrain from all seditious work, and they made the promise. Also from time to time the faculty has compelled the students to give up every form of firearms or weapon. A recent careful search of that sort resulted in finding six or seven pistols of little value. It should be noted that many of the students come from distant villages and regard the carrying of some weapon as a necessary safeguard for their protection on the road. The grave disorders which recently swept over Anatolia occurred at Marsovan also, and brought into most trying prominence the difficulties and dangers of the Americans there. Acting on the orders of United States Minister Terrell, I visited Marsovan to investigate the state of affairs there and to do what I could to improve the condition. I learned that when the massacre occurred at Marsovan, November 15, the mob started for the American premises, but were restrained by police and soldiers, who were ordered, in accordance with demands made by Minister Terrell, not to permit any harm to occur to the Americans. Also, shortly after the disorder began, the governor came in person, with about thirty soldiers commanded by a lieutenant, and placed them as a guard on the college premises, at the disposal of the missionaries. Two or three bullets, fired from a distance, struck one of the school buildings, and great anxiety was felt by all on the premises. However, no injuries were sustained by Americans or their property. As the condition of the city became more tranquil, the number of soldiers was reduced to fifteen, which is the number now present. The soldiers are "redifs" of that district who have had very little training, and inasmuch as they have been more or less closely associated with the recent massacres and pillage, and in the event of renewed disturbances might be called upon to resist fellow-townsmen, it might be well, if any change is deemed desirable in the character of the guard, to have regular soldiers from another province. No special fault can be found with the conduct of the present guard on the mission grounds. They have conducted themselves with propriety, and the lieutenant in command has seemed particularly anxious to do his duty by the Americans. At first the soldiers and the students mutually feared each other, but on further acquaintance both have acquired more confidence, and quite friendly relations now exist between them. A special source of danger for the college and its American faculty resulted from the persistent efforts of the revolutionary Armenians to create revolutionary sentiments among the students, and it was feared that the revolutionists of the city might do something to injure FR 96-54 the college. To more effectually guard against these dangers which were apprehended both by the Americans and by the local Turkish officials, the keeping of the gate was placed under the double charge of the lieutenant and the missionaries. One of the missionaries for sev eral weeks-a brave missionary lady-stood by the gate and prevented the admission of any person likely to do harm to the institution, and all communication between the people of the city and the students was subjected to a rigid surveillance. These precautions doubtless had a good effect, although they tended to increase the animosity of the revolutionists. I gave the revolutionists to distinctly understand that any interference with the affairs of the college or students would not be tolerated, and that any further efforts of that sort on their part would make them liable to the severest punishment. Before I left Marsovan I was pleased to learn that there was a strong and growing sentiment among the Armenians against the revolutionary committee, and that some of them were endeavoring to escape from the country. There were a few students in the college who showed a too active sympathy with the revolutionary movement. It seemed difficult to get rid of them at this time without subjecting them to more grave suspicion or punishment than would perhaps be just. However, the mutessarif took a friendly view of the matter and gave them safe conduct and passports for Constantinople. Both the mutessarif and kaimakam have shown themselves very well disposed toward the college and the Americans, and have apparently done their best to further the interests of our citizens. The question of sending away all the students was discussed. It was considered best that they should remain so long as the conditions continue as favorable for work as at present. In regard to the missionaries leaving the interior of the country, it is considered that the spiritual, educational, and relief work is too important to be abandoned, and that their obligations to do all that is proper for the native Christian populations necessitates their remaining. I have urged that some of the women and children whose presence is not necessary should leave the country. It should be done gradually so as not to create alarm or make it appear as though the Americans had lost confidence in the ability and readiness of their Government to protect them. I brought with me to Constantinople two missionary children, and probably others will follow, if traveling is practicable. In conclusion I would say that the strong and energetic policy of protection of American missions which has been adopted by the Department of State and the minister at Constantinople should not in the least be relaxed. I am, etc., No. 815.] Mr. Terrell to Mr. Olney. M. A. JEWETT. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Constantinople, February 17, 1896. (Received March 2.) SIR: I have the honor to inclose copy of a letter from Rev. Mr. Fuller, dated Aintab, January 27, informing me of the security afforded both to missionaries and their Armenian employees during massacres, and asking for suitable recognition by our Government of the valuable services of Consular Agent Poche. I have, etc., A. W. TERRELL. 1 |