ENPages
October 20. 1915.
Newton D. Baker, Esquire, Mayor of Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio.
Sir:
The Department acknowledges the receipt, by reference from the White House, of your letter of October 15th, enclosing a letter to you fron the Mayor of Philedalphia, suggesting that simultaneous meetings be held in all the large cities of the United States, called by their respective mayors, to protest against Turkish atrocities in Armenia; and inquiring whether the State Department could supply you with authentic information as to the existence of these outrages and their extent.
It would be inadvisable for the Department to make public the information which it has received from the American Ambassador and Consuls in Turkey relative to the subject of the treatment of the Armenians by the Turks; nor can the Department advise you as to your action
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action relative to the calling of a public meeting in Cleveland, which must be left to your own judgment.
I am, Sir.
Your obedient servant,
For the Secretary of State:
ALVEY A. ADEE
Second Assistant Secretary.
IMPERIAL PERSIAN CONSULATE GENERAL
NEW YORK U.S.A.
225 - Fifth Avenue. October 22, 1915.
[STAMP = ACK'D OCT 28 1915 C.L.S.]
His Excellency, Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States.
My dear Sir:
The great calamity of the European War in which the entire Continent of Europe is stricken has brought to the American people an opportunity of International succor unparalleled in the history of the world, and which has indeed been most nobly met.
But to the vast and dreadful human suffering resulting from this disasterous war has now been added the horrible destruction of one of the families of the human race at the hands of cruel fantica Moslems throughout Asia Minor.
The records of the State Department already show, from authentic official sources, that over five hundred thousand Armenian men, women, and children have been deported from their homes and cruelly murdered with unnamable atrocities.
All civilized goverments are appealed to in order that this stain on humanity and our civilization may be removed. At the same time a heartrending cry for help reaches America from many quarters for immediate help for the many hundred of thousands of helpless men, women, and children now left starving, either in Turkey or across the borders in Egypt
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IMPERIAL PERSIAN CONSULATE GENERAL NEW YORK U.S.A.
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and the Causasus. These helpless people after passing through terrible sufferings are facing actual starvation. This appeal is unparalleled in that it is for the salvation of the remnant of a race who have been noted for their loyalty, industry and thrift, and as pioneers of Western civilization in the East. It is to save the lives of helpless human beings by hundred of thousands homeless and shelterless and facing starvation. This urgent appeal comes to the noble genErosity of the great American Nation now blessed above all others with peace and prosperity.
We pray your Excellency will use your noble influence to help so dire a need in a colossal International calamity, in a cause even of simple humanity, were all other considerations set aside, and this one act will stand out alone in the pages of history for all times, a great luminous vision of human kindness and compassionate mercy. I am confident, that your Excellency's name will again stand as a brilliant inspiration in the list of those who reach out to save a dying nation with help commensurate with the vastness of the dire need.
We have the honor, your Excellency, with earnest prayers for your health and the fulfillment of the desire of your heart to remain,
Your most humble and obedient servants, 4 4 Satateyan H. H. Topakyan [H.H. TOPAKYAN]
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THE WHITE HOUSE FILES.
MEMORANDUM.
Writer:
Clemens, Moses H., Ubee, ind.
Subject: Re conditions in Armenia. (Telegram dated Oct. 21st)
Referred to: State to know what reply should be made.
Date: Oct. 23,1915.
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