No. 21.] PERSIA. ARREST AND RELEASE OF REV. M. BAGDASARIAN. Mr. Tyler to Mr. Sherman. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: I have the honor to transmit for your information some correspondence relating to the imprisonment of the Rev. M. Bagdasarian, a naturalized citizen of the United States, now, as his permanent abode, residing at the village of Kalasar, district of Salmas, in the government of Azerbaijan, as a missionary of an American denomination called the "Disciples of Christ." Mehran Bagdasarian was originally a Turkish subject, having been born in Constantinople and lived for many years in Van. He went to the United States, I am informed, about nine years ago, remained the statutory period, took out his papers of naturalization, and, it appears, obtained funds and started out almost immediately as a missionary to the Nestorians and Amenians of Persia. This is not the first time that Bagdasarian has been in conflict with the Persian authorities, as the inclosed copy of a letter will show. On this occasion I had a personal interview with the foreign minister and induced him to intervene and stop what was apparently an attempted extortion and persecution. Bagdasarian, it appears, at this time employed a refugee as a teacher in his orphanage (an institution supported by funds sent from Germany) who was accused of being a revolutionary, and subsequently arrested and sent to the district prison at Khoi. To employ this man was, no doubt, a mistake, even though, as Bagdasarian states, he was innocent, and it was probably on this ground that a pretext was found for his own apprehension and his being sent to Tabriz. It is, on the other hand, possible, to agree with the acting British consul, that the real object was to extort money, of which Bagdasarian seems to have a considerable supply, and probably makes an indiscreet display of. Bagdasarian must have known that the Turkish authorities were using every possible means and vigilance to detect and report the existence of even apparent revolutionaries, and their movements on the frontier, and should have kept himself free from persons who were likely to create suspicion and cause trouble and annoyance to the Government. I venture to remark that when it can be proved, as is the case with some of these men, that their only object in going to the United States and staying just long enough to become entitled to citizenship, without fulfilling any of the duties appertaining thereto, is simply to obtain protection in a foreign state, some different treatment should be extended to them. They never have been and never will be citizens in the true sense of the term. I am afraid, too, that this privilege is 518 sometimes made the excuse and the occasion for acts of very serious indiscretion which native citizens would consider it prudent to abstain from. Perhaps it might be advisable to administer a caution to these people when they come into the country, that protection depends upon good behavior. The Persian Government will not recognize as foreign subjects those who have left the country and remained in some other just sufficent time to allow of their change of nationality. It will be seen from the last English telegram that Bagdasarian has been delivered up to the acting English consul, so there is no doubt he will have a fair trial, but any further action which I shall deem it necessary to take will depend upon the issues raised and the decision arrived at by the tribunal. I have not thought it necessary to telegraph for instructions in dealing with this matter, as I have no doubt that it will eventually be amicably and satisfactorily settled. I may be permitted to explain that in my letter to the foreign minister of the 11th instant, I mention the name of Mirza Hussein Khan. This person was for a short time last year the sarperast, or administrator, for the Christians in Oroomiah, and earned the esteem and respect of all the foreigners residing in those regions. In my interview with his Excellency he promised to have him reappointed and I think he will return to his post, which in the present disturbed state of those parts is one of considerable responsibility. Hussein Khan is a man of some experience, and if he can carry out the policy and plans he has foreshadowed to me he may do much to ameliorate the condition of the people. I have, etc., JOHN TYLER. [Inclosure 1 in No. 21-Telegrams.] No. 1.] Acting British consul-general to United States minister. TABRIZ, April 11, 1898. I have received information frem Salmas that by order of Emir-iNizam, Mihran Bagdasarian, American citizen, has been unjustly imprisoned. I have demanded his immediate release, and protested against this action. Please have orders telegraphed to Emir-i-Nizam to cease molesting American citizens. Acting British consul-general to United States minister. TABRIZ, April 13, 1898. No. 2.] Referring my telegram 11th, Emir-i-Nizam, notwithstanding my request and protest, refuses to liberate Mihran Bagdasarian, and is about to bring him to Tabriz as a prisoner under escort. I have renewed my protest, and hold Persian Government responsible for damages and for breaking treaty rights. I believe Bagdasarian, who is accused of protecting and helping Armenian revolutionists, is innocent, and intrigue set on foot to extort money from him. Please do the needful and inform me. It is time Emir-i-Nizam should know that he can not trifle with impunity with American citizens. This will be a most unfortunate precedent of violating treaty rights if it is allowed to go unchecked. I await your instructions. No. 3.] Mr. Tyler to acting British consul-general. TEHERAN, April 13, 1898. Thanks for your prompt action and telegrams. Have sent in vigorous protest, demanding immediate release of Bagdasarian and explanation of Emir's unjustifiable proceedings. No. 4.] Acting British consul-general to United States minister TABRIZ, April 14, 1898. Bagdasarian left Salmas for Tabriz under escort this morning; will arrive Sunday. Please instruct. Mr. Tyler to acting British consul-general. TEHERAN, April 11, 1898. No. 5.] Foreign minister has telegraphed to Emir-i-Nizam to release Bagdasarian. Shall be glad to know if it is done. Acting British consul-general to United States legation. TABRIZ, April 17, 1898. No. 6.] Bagdasarian has reached and is still a prisoner. Emir-i-Nizam appears to take no notice of instructions sent him. I shall take measures to-morrow and report. No. 7.] Mr. Tyler to acting British consul-general. TEHERAN, April 18, 1898. Do whatever is necessary on behalf of Bagdasarian; legation will support you. I have again insisted on his release. Don't allow any money payment. No. 8.] Acting British consul-general to United States legation. TABRIZ, April 18, 1898. Bagdasarian has been handed to-day to me. I shall do needful. No. 1.] [Inclosure 2 in No. 21.-Translation.-Telegrams sent in Turkish.] Bagdasarian to United States Minister. SALMAS, 17th of Zeekadeh, 1315 (9th of April, 1898). By order of the Emir-i-Nizam, I am kept as a prisoner. I beg you to obtain my release. No. 2.] Bergman to United States Minister. By orders of the Governments of Tabriz and Khoi, M. Mihran Bagdasarian, a citizen of the United States, has been for four days held as a prisoner at Kala Sar in Salmas. To-day the governor of Khoi has summoned him to appear at his court for examination. Neither I nor M. Bagdasarian know anything about the cause of his imprisonment or the object of his being ordered to Khoi. I, who am the steward of the orphanage, am not aware that he has committed any offense. Have the goodness to appeal to the Shah to obtain his release and the preservation of his rights. No. 3.] The Foreign Minister to the Emir-i-Nizam. TEHERAN, 22d of Zeekadeh, 1315 (14th of April, 1898). It is reported by the United States legation that the governor of Khoi has imprisoned Mihran Bagdasarian, who claims to be a citizen of the United States, without notifying the nature of his offense. The legation of the United States affirms that he has undisputable documentary proofs of his citizenship. Under these circumstances, as it is necessary to inquire into his national status, give orders for his discharge until the necessary examination can take place and his nationality determined, when his case can be decided on its merits. No. 4.] United States Vice-Consul-General to M. Bagdasarian. TEHERAN, 22d Zeekadeh, 1315 (April 14, 1898). The foreign minister has telegraphed to the Emir-i-Nizam to order your release. Let me know if it is done. The Emir-i-Nizam to the Foreign Minister. No. 5.] TEHERAN, Zeekadeh 24, 1315 (April 16, 1898). As Ali Riza Beg, Turkish consul, suspected Mihran Bagdasarian of concealing revolutionaries (Armenian) and produced some reasons and evidence in support of his representations, it was necessary to instruct the governor of Khoi to send him with all respect under escort to Tabriz, where, with the assistance of the foreign office agency and the English consulate, an investigation of the case may be made, and the truth or falsity of the charge that he had given refuge to revolutionaries be determined; and at the same time his claim to the status of United States citizenship be also examined into. Under the circumstances, if you think it advisable to cancel the order to bring him to Tabriz, send orders to that effect. Furthermore, if the United States legation will undertake that Mihran shall come himself and undergo examination he can be released from custody. EMIR-I-NIZAM. [Inclosure 3 in No. 21.] Mr. Tyler to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, April 11, 1898. SIR The English consul in Tabriz has just informed me by telegraph that the Emir-i-Nizam has unjustly and without any apparent reason imprisoned at Kalassar, in Salmas, the Rev. Mihran Bagdasarian, a citizen of the United States, who, so far as I can learn, is engaged in succoring and protecting the helpless and starving Nestorians and Armenians, who have found it necessary to cross the frontier from Turkey into Persia. I beg to protest most strongly against this proceeding on the part of the Emir-i-Nizam, and to request that you will immediately telegraph to him to release M. Bagdasarian and require him to explain his conduct in taking this extreme measure, in order that I may know how to act and advise my Government in the matter. This gives the occasion to remind your excellency that Mirza Hussein Khan Mir Fanj is still in Teheran, and the Emir-iNizam's tyranny and oppression are allowed to go on unexposed and unchecked. I hope you will find it convenient to send Mirza Hussein Khan to Oroomiah to take up the appointment of Sarperast as soon as possible, that there may be some security for the protection of the rights and liberties of foreigners residing in those regions. I take this opportunity, etc., JOHN TYLER. [Inclosure 4 in No. 21.-Translation.] Mr. Tyler to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, April 11, 1898. SIR: I have the honor to inclose a telegram received last evening from Salmas regarding the unjust imprisonment of Mihran Bagdasarian, a United States citizen. Your excellency will know that to imprison a foreign subject without any apparent cause is a most serious proceeding, and it is with still greater surprise and regret that I find from the telegram that the governor of Khoi has summoned W. Bagdasarian to that town without signifying the charge for which he has been arrested. I trust your excellency has sent imperative orders for the immediate release of M. Bagdasarian, and I shall be glad if you will let me know as soon as possible the result. I take this opportunity, etc., JOHN TYLER. [Inclosure 5 in No. 21.-Translation.] Mr. Tyler to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: From a telegram which I received last evening, I am very much surprised to find that the Emir-i-Nizam has not only ignored your telegram, ordering Bagdasarian's release, but has had him brought to Tabriz as a prisoner, thereby violating treaty rights and doing great injustice to the man. Bagdasarian has now been a prisoner for more |