Mr. Olney to Mavroyeni Bey.
Washington, October 15, 1895.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 12th instant in regard to the announced visit of the U. S. S. Marblehead to Turkish waters, and I notice with gratification your voluntary assurance that notwithstanding the Armenian disturbances which have taken place, not only in the provinces, but even at Constantinople, the American citizens in Turkey who are mindful of the public peace of the country where they reside incur no danger.
The visit of the Marblehead to Turkish waters at this juncture is in pursuance of a long-established usage of this Government to send its vessels, in its discretion, to the ports of any country which may for the time being suffer perturbation of public order and where its countrymen are known to possess interests. This course is very general with all other Governments, and the circumstance that a transient occasion for such visits may exist does not detract from their essentially friendly character.
Accept, etc.,