ation in the possession of our
Government was derived from his first report, indicating that the
statements made in the press were sensational and exaggerated and that
the atrocities alleged really did not exist. This condition very much
weakened any motive for an interference based on considerations of
humanity, and permitted us without embarrassment to pursue a course
plainly marked out by other controlling incidents.

By a treaty entered into at Berlin in the year 1878 between Turkey and
various other governments Turkey undertook to guarantee protection to
the Armenians, and agreed that it would "periodically make known the
steps taken to this effect to the powers, who will superintend their
application."

Our Government was not a party to this treaty, and it is entirely
obvious that in the face of the provisions of such treaty above recited
our interference in the proposed investigation, especially without the
invitation of any of the powers which had assumed by treaty obligations
to secure the protection of these Armenians, might have been exceedingly
embarrassing, if not entirely beyond the limits of justification or
propriety.

The Turkish invitation to join the investigation set on foot by that
Government was therefore, on the 2d day of December, declined. On the
same day, and after this declination had been sent, our minister at
Constantinople forwarded his second dispatch, tending to modify his
former report as to the extent and character of Armenian slaughter.
At the same time the request of the Sultan for our participation in the
investigation was repeated, and Great Britain, one of the powers which
joined in the treaty of Berlin, made a like request.

In view of changed conditions and upon reconsideration of the subject
it was determined to send Mr. Jewett, our consul at Sivas, to the scene
of the alleged outrages, not for the purpose of joining with any other
government in an investigation and report, but to the end that he might
be able to inform this Government as to the exact truth.

Instructions to this effect were sent to Mr. Jewett, and it is supposed
he has already entered upon the duty assigned him.

I submit with this communication copies of all correspondence and
dispatches in the State Department on this subject and the report to me
of the Secretary of State thereon.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, January 3, 1895_.

_To the Senate of the United States_:

In