No. 33. Letter to Mr. A. W. Ogle.-(Communicated to the Marquis of Salisbury, April 20.) My dear Sir, Volo, Thessaly, April 1, 1878. YOU will long before this reaches you have heard the sad, sad tidings of your dear brother's death. We have hoped against hope, till, I fear, there is no longer the slightest doubt that his noble, useful life has really passed away in this world. We loved him as a younger brother, and feeling our own sorrow can the more readily enter into yours and that of your family. The last few weeks he spent here-only going from time to time for a day or two where duty called him; and nobly he did his duty; one of his last acts was to go, at the great risk of his life, to Bulgarini, to inquire into a massacre which took place there-he comforted the poor people, made those who had bread give to those who had none, and helped pecuniarily those who had not the means of getting away; owing to his exertions numbers of them are here now in safety, and I saw a strong man cry like a child to-day on hearing of his death, saying he was more like a father to us in our trouble. I believe this act cost him his life, for it made an enemy of the infamous Amoosh Aga, but it is registered in heaven, and the blessings of those ready to perish follow him. I grieve that at present I can add little to the "Times" telegram which we sent off yesterday. A man (Christian) has come in to-day, who described the dress worn by your poor brother, and says he saw the body. We have sent up men; and the French Consul and the Italian Agent, at present acting for the English Consul, have gone there to make full inquiries; we have also sent every particular to Mr. Suter, the English Consul, who is now in Larissa. Rest assured everything that lies in our power shall be done. Your dear brother had a strange presentiment of coming death, and a violent one, and never left us for a day without referring to the probability of his never returning; but when the castle guns induced him to leave on last Thursday afternoon, it was with the intention of coming back at once, and he did not even take his revolver, in fact, was totally unarmed. I write to you, instead of your father, because I have no other address. I telegraphed to M. Tricoupi for it, and, rather than defer my letter till the next post, use the one I have. Will you kindly explain this to him. Forgive all incoherencies, I cannot write calmly. No. 34. Yours sincerely, (Signed) Mr. Ogle to the Marquis of Salisbury.-(Received April 24.) My Lord, Hobart Pasha, as I have just been informed on most trustworthy authority, on the morning of Sunday, 31st March-my son, with a companion, having been murdered on Saturday, 30th March-said to a person in a Consul's house, pressing him for information concerning my son's death, "Ogle est une affaire du passé.' Take this along with the statement that he had threatened to turn my son out of Turkey; and I would respectfully ask your Lordship to consider whether Hobart Pasha should not be constrained to give evidence in London on the subject which he showed such a remarkable desire to drop. The extract, which I take the liberty to forward, I met with only yesterday, and submit as not unworthy of your Lordship's perusal. Could England do better than pension the Sultan, govern Turkey, and hold Constantinople with a force of willing Turks and grateful Greeks? I have, &c." ་ Inclosure in No. 34. Extract from "Turkey and its Destiny;" by Charles Mac Farlane, Esq. John Murray, Albemarle Street: 1850. Vol. II, page 677. NO one who looks forward to the great event, the breaking up of the Ottoman Empire, as a blessing to humanity and civilization, contemplates for one moment that Russia is to possess all those unpeopled, but vast productive, rich and beautiful regions. The distribution must and will, at some not distant day, be left to the decision of some Congress of all Christendom. If such a Congress could be settled without being preceded by the horrors of a warfare among the Christian Powers, the advantage would be unalloyed, and the blessing complete. Wage war as you will, it must come to this at last-a Congress, and the expulsion of the Turks as a governing Power, from Europe and the greater part of Asia Minor. If the world is now so unsettled, and if we all aim at a settlement, and one that shall be enduring, we must come to a decision on the Turkish question now. If it is left undecided, our settlement will be most incomplete; Turkey will be standing casus belli, exposing every year the peace of Christendom to a sudden interruption. The Turks themselves seem generally to be convinced that their final hour is approaching. "We are no longer Mussulmans; the Mussulman sabre is broken; the Osmanlees will be driven out of Europe by the Ghiaours, and driven through Asia to the regions from which they first sprung. It is Kismet! We cannot resist destiny!" I heard words to this effect from many Turks, as well in Asia as in Europe; and the like were heard by Bishop Southgate in many and remote parts of the Empire. Some consoled themselves with the dream of a very strange millennium-after a long series of years, an entire abatement of the Mussulman creed and of the Mussulman peoples, Jesus, the Great Prophet, would return to earth, gather up the scattered fragments of the believers of Mahomet, reanimate their faith and their ancient valour, and give them, until the world's end, dominion over all the earth; with one religion, and one unbroken, undisturbed peace and happiness. This belief was startling. I repeatedly asked whether it was not the return of Mahomet that they looked for? But I was as constantly told that it was not Mahomet, but Jesus-the Jesus worshipped by the Christians-whom they expected in the fulness of time to complete the great scheme which Mahomet had only begun. Sir, No. 35. The Marquis of Salisbury to Mr. Layard. Foreign Office, April 24, 1878. WITH reference to your despatch of the 9th instant, I have to convey to your Excellency the approval of Her Majesty's Government of the steps which you have taken in order to obtain full information with regard to the circumstances under which Mr. Ogle, the "Times' " correspondent, met with his death near Volo. to I have at the same time to request that your Excellency will be good enough tate to the Turkish Prime Minister that Her Majesty's Government have learned with great satisfaction the formal assurances which were given to you by Ahmed Vefyk Pasha that a strict investigation should be made with a view to the discovery and to the condign punishment of those by whom the head was severed from Mr. Ogle's body. I am, &c. No. 36. Lord Tenterden to Mr. Ogle. Foreign Office, April 24, 1878. Sir, I AM directed by the Marquis of Salisbury to convey to you his thanks for the letter you have addressed to him under date of the 22nd instant, accom panied by an extract from the work by Mr. Charles MacFarlane, entitled, “Turkey and its Destiny." In reply to your suggestion that Hobart Pasha should be constrained to give evidence in London respecting the death of your son, his Lordship wishes me to that Her Majesty's Government have no authority over Hobart Pasha, who is not employed in the Qeen's service. say An inquiry into the circumstances under which your son met his death is being instituted on the spot and under the direction of persons who have been especially selected for the purpose by Her Majesty's Representatives at Constantinople and Athens, and I am to state to you that a further communication on the subject will be addressed to you, when the results of this inquiry have been reported to Lord Salisbury. No. 37. I am, &c. Mr. Wyndham to the Marquis of Salisbury.-(Received April 25.) My Lord, Athens, April 16, 1878. WITH reference to my despath of the 11th instant, and to previous despatches respecting the death of Mr. Ogle, I have the honour to inclose herewith copy of a further report from the Greek Vice-Consul at Volo, which M. Delyanni has been so kind as to transmit to me, and which contains some remarks as to the conduct of the Turkish authorities in this matter. (Traduction.) Inclosure in No. 37. The Greek Vice-Consul at Volo to M. Delyanni. 12 Avril, Volo, le 31 Mars, 1878. A LA suite des nouvelles que j'ai eu l'honneur de vous transmettre par la voie télégraphique je m'empresse de porter à votre connaissance, que deux frégates et un vaisseau de transport sont arrivés hier dans notre port, ayant à bord des troupes expédiées de Salonique et de Varne au nombre de 4,800 hommes. On attend aujourd'hui d'autres. Chaque jour on expédie d'ici des munitions par l'intérieur. Le Mutessarif de Larisse est dans notre ville depuis deux jours. Le but de son arrivée serait de se renseigner sur les événements de Macrynitza. A en juger des démarches qu'il a faites jusqu'à ce jour, on croirait plutôt que son but principal est de préparer des témoins du décharge, qui démentiraient les faits, ainsi que cela se pratique chez les Turcs. On fait aussi des efforts pour prouver, conformément à la Légation Ottomane, qu'Ogle a été tué pendant le combat. Ces autorités locales n'auront aucune difficulté à produire de pareils témoignages. Mais quant aux victimes égorgés à Macrynitza le capitaine et les officiers du bâtiment de guerre Italien et le correspondant du "Standard" en ont été les témoins oculaires. Un grand nombre de personnes qui se sont rendues sur le lieu en compagnie de ces messieurs ont vu aussi de leurs propres yeux les victimes. Ce sont des faits que de faux témoins ne pourraient révoquer en doute. On m'informe qu'on fait aussi tous les efforts possibles pour constituer e Commission qui sera chargée d'instruire le meurtre d'Ogle de personnes exclusivement favorables aux Turcs, et que Hobart, qui est regardée comme le provocateur de ce malheureux accident, est le premier motive de ces manœuvres. La réponse donnée par le Caïmacam au Vice-Consul Anglais à Larisse, Mr. Suter, qui avait réclamé la découverte de la tête du malheureux Ogle, donne une preuve suffisante des tendances des autorités. Le Gouvernement Ŏttoman, au dire du Caïmacam, ne pourrait être rendu responsable de la vie de sujets étrangers qui se trouveraient parmi ou auprès de brigands, et ne se soucie guère s'ils sont tués ou trouvés avec ou sans tête. (Translation.) (Translation.) Volo, April 12, 1878. IN continuation of the news which I had the honour to communicate to you by telegraph, I hasten to acquaint you that two frigates and a transport arrived yesterday at this port, with 4,800 men, dispatched from Salonica and Varna. More are expected to-day. Every day munitions of war are being dispatched hence by way of the interior. The Mutessarif of Larissa has been in the town for the last two days. His object here is to obtain information as to the proceedings at Macrinitza. To judge by what he has effected so far, one would be inclined to think that his real object is to muster witnesses against the charge-to deny the facts stated, as the custom is in Turkey. Efforts are also being made to prove, in conformity with the Ottoman Legation, that Ogle was killed in the course of the battle. The local authorities will have no difficulty in producing similar evidence. But as regards the victims massacred at Macrinitza, the Captain and officers of the Italian man-of-war and the "Standard" correspondent can bear ocular testimony. A great many persons who visited the spot in their company have also seen the victims of the massacre with their own eyes. These are facts which no amount of false testimony can shake. I am told that every possible effort is also being made to form the Commission charged with the investigation into Ogle's murder exclusively of persons favourable to the Turks, and that Hobart, who is looked upon as the provoker of the unfortunate accident, is the prime mover in these manœuvres. The answer returned by the Kaïmacam to Mr. Suter, British Vice-Consul at Larissa, on his demanding that the head of the ill-fated Ogle might be discovered, gives a sufficient proof of the tendencies of the authorities. The Ottoman Government, according to the Kaïmacam, cannot be held responsible for the lives of foreign subjects found among or in the neighbourhood of the brigands, and cares but little whether they be killed or found either with or without their heads. No. 38. Mr. Layard to the Marquis of Salisbury.-(Received April 25.) (Telegraphic.) Constantinople, April 25, 1878. BORRELL'S state of health prevents him going to Volo. Consul-General Fawcett is ready to go if you consider it absolutely necessary. Blunt says that as there is great acrimony of feeling with regard to the inquiry about Ogle's death, he is very anxious, in order to succeed in his political mission, that the inquiry should be carried on by some other person who can deal with the matter judicially. No. 39. The Marquis of Salisbury to Mr. Layard. (Telegraphic.) Foreign Office, April 26, 1878. AS I learn from your Excellency's telegram of yesterday that Mr. Borrell's health will not allow him to go to Volo, I am of opinion that, if it can possibly be managed, Mr. Consul-General Fawcett should be sent there in his place, in accordance with Mr. Blunt's suggestions. No. 40. The Secretary to the Admiralty to Lord Tenterden.—(Received May 3.) Admiralty, May 2, 1878. My Lord, I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit, for the information of the Marquis of Salisbury, three letters from the Commanding Officer of Her Majesty's ship "Wizard" (and their inclosures), giving particulars respecting the discovery of the body of Mr. Ogle, and its subsequent interment, and forwarding a copy of the Report of the medical men who examined the body. I am, &c. (Signed) ROBERT HALL. R. H. P.S.-It is requested that the inclosures may be returned. Inclosure 1 in No. 40. Lieutenant-Commander Doxat to Vice-Admiral Hornby. "Wizard," Volo, April 5, 1878. Sir, I HAVE the honour to inform you that I arrived here at 11 P.M. On Tuesday, the 2nd instant. The next morning the Vice-Consul called, and informed me that, on the 28th and 29th of last month, the Turkish troops attacked the insurgents near Makrinitza, a village a few miles from here, and that, by 3 P.M. on the 29th, the Greeks were completely defeated. The insurgent bands are said to have retreated towards the Greek frontier. The Turkish troops, after the battle, plundered Makrinitza and the houses near, killing some old men and women. The inhabitants fled to Volo or to the adjacent hills for safety. Mr. Ogle, the "Times'" correspondent, returning from near the scene of action, was murdered by (it is supposed) Turkish troops. The Turkish authorities say he was shot during the fight, but the Vice-Consul has received reliable information that Mr. Ogle was seen alive on Friday night, the 29th ultimo, in a village near Volo, several hours after the battle was over. Volo is full of fugitives, and at present their lives are secure, but robberies by the Turkish troops and irregulars are frequent. The Turkish troops have sold openly, in the streets of this town, plunder from the churches and houses in Makrinitza and adjacent villages. There are about 10,000 Turkish troops here or in the neighbourhood, and about 700 more landed here from Constantinople on the 3rd instant. Mr. Suter arrived on the 2nd instant, to inquire into the circumstances connected. with Mr. Ogle's death. On the 3rd instant, the Vice-Consul, Mr. Fitzgerald, the correspondent of the "Standard," and I, called on the Kaïmakam. Mr. Suter insisted that Mr. Ogle's body should be discovered and delivered to his friends. The Kaïmakam sent off a party for that purpose in the evening, but Mr. Ogle's remains had been already found by some men who had been searching for several days, Mr. Fitzgerald having offered a high reward for the discovery. The body was carried into Volo yesterday morning, the 4th instant, and placed in a Greek church, and was easily identified. The head had been cut off several hours after death, and has not been found. Nearly all the clothing had been stolen. At present the Greek fugitives wish to remain in Volo, as they hope that if the country becomes quiet, to be able to re-occupy their houses. The captain of the Italian iron-clad "Terribile" and Mr. Fitzgerald, who both visited Makrinitza after the battle, confirm the accounts of the cruelties and plundering committed by the Turkish troops. The Vice-Consul has asked me to remain a few days, as he thinks there may be disturbances in the town. Hobart Pasha arrived yesterday afternoon, in the paddle-wheel steamer "Izzedin." There are two Turkish iron-clads here, the "Azizieh" and the "Athar-Shefket," the Italian iron-clad "Terribile," and the French despatch vessel "Bisson." I will leave here for the Piræus on Monday, the 8th instant, if the town remains quiet. It is intended to send the body of the late Mr. Ogle to Athens for interment. |