Correspondence respecting the Murder of Mr. Ogle.

(Telegraphic.)

No. 1.

Mr. Wyndham to the Earl of Derby.-(Received April 1.)

Athens, April 1, 1878.

NEWS has reached Athens of Mr. Ogle, the "Times"" correspondent, having been killed up Mount Pelion on Friday last.

No. 2.

M. Delyanni to M. Gennadius.-(Communicated to the Marquis of Salisbury by
M. Gennadius, April 3.)

(Télégraphique.)

Athènes, le 3 Avril, 1878. JEUDI et Vendredi passés ont eu lieu deux engagements entre les insurgés de Thessalie et les troupes Ottomanes à Macrynitza; vous recevrez détails et description des horreurs qui s'en suivirent par poste. Le correspondant du "Times," Mr. Ogle, était parti sans armes de Volo, Jeudi soir, pour Macrynitza; trois jours après les chefs Ottomans envoyèrent à Hobart Pacha son passeport et lui notifièrent que son cadavre avait été trouvé à Macrynitza avec un fusil entre les bras; mais on a tout lieu de croire que Mr. Ogle a été assassiné par les irréguliers d'Amouss Aga, auquel, quelques jours auparavant, Mr. Ogle avait adressé des vives rémontrances pour les massacres de Voulgareni. Il est certain que Macrynitza était occupé par les Turcs lorsque Mr. Ogle s'y rendit.

(Telegraphic.)

(Translation.)

Athens, April 3, 1878.

ON Thursday and Friday last two engagements took place between the insurgents of Thessaly and the Ottoman troops at Macrinitza: you will receive by post details and a description of the horrors consequent thereon. The correspondent of the "Times," Mr. Ogle, had set out, unarmed, from Volo, on Thursday evening, for Macrinitza. Three days later the Ottoman Chiefs sent his passport to Hobart Pasha, with a notification that his corpse had been found at Macrinitza, with a rifle in his arms; but there is every reason to believe that Mr. Ogle has been assassinated by the irregulars of Amouss Aga, with whom, some days previously, Mr. Ogle had strongly remonstrated respecting the massacres of Bulgareni. It is certain that Macrinitza was occupied by the Turks when Mr. Ogle went there.

No. 3.

Mr. Layard to the Marquis of Salisbury.—(Received April 3.)

(Telegraphic.) Constantinople, April 2, 1878. REPORT has come from Athens that "Times'" correspondent at Volo has Seen killed. Porte has telegraphed for information, but nothing is known of circumstances here. It was alleged that this gentleman was aiding insurgents, and strong complaints were made to me against him; he was warned of the danger he

was running by going about from village to village. Hobart Pasha had written to me about his proceedings, stating that he was in communication with Athens.

There is reason to believe that there is much exaggeration by Greek agents, but urgent instructions have been sent to all military authorities in Thessaly to prevent all pillaging and ill-treating of non-combatants.

No. 4.

Mr. Wyndham to the Marquis of Salisbury.-(Received April 4.)

(Telegraphic.)

Athens, April 3, 1878. THE Greek Vice-Consul at Volo states by telegraph that Mr. Ogle's remains cannot be found; he suspects that they have been cut up so as to render their discovery impossible. The Turk who has his passport says that he found it on a dead body, but he will not state where,

Greek Vice-Consul concludes by stating that nothing less than the presence of a Commissioner, accompanied by force, can obtain particulars, owing to the terrorism which prevails.

No. 5.

My Lord,

Mr. Ogle to the Marquis of Salisbury.-(Received April 4.)

Bradbourne, St. Clere, Sevenoaks, April 3, 1878. FROM the documents which are now laid before your Lordship it appears that my son, Charles Chaloner Ogle, was killed within the Turkish lines, by Turks, four hours, at least, after the battle at Macrinitza; that he was totally unarmed, carrying only a walking-stick, or riding-whip.

The statements made by the Turks were that he had fallen in the fight, and then that his body was found in a house, with a rifle in the hand. Further, it is to be noted that the fact of the assassination was concealed for two days.

During the campaign in Montenegro my son held amicable intercourse with Turkish officers, and did full justice to the good qualities he saw in the Turkish people.

In his last letter to his mother, dated the 15th March, from Volo, he says:"I am much overworked at present. I hope and believe, however, that I am doing good here in the cause of order and humanity. The women and children are beginning to regard me as their natural protector."

Some time ago my son was made a Knight of the Silver Cross of the Order of the Redeemer, in recognition of the ardour with which he had studied the affairs of the Greek nation-military, naval, and financial.

Your Lordship will, no doubt, conclude that this is a case for searching inquiry, and that our country cannot but appear to be publicly outraged in this deed of violence committed by Turkish hands.

With the utmost confidence in your Lordship's readiness to perform the duty of a British Minister, 1 am, &c.

(No. 2.)

Further telegraphic news from Volo corroborates suspicion foul play Turks against Ogle. He had gone to Macrinitza unarmed, and holding his walkingstick. His revolver is hanging on wall in his house at Volo, and he was seen after the engagement on Friday evening at a distance from Macrinitza, in a village near Volo, asking for horses to carry him to Volo. Hellenic Governinent has telegraphed to Hellenic Vice-Consul, Volo, to have the body embalmed and sent here. Pray communicate with family, and acquaint me by telegraph with their wishes. If I receive no advice to the contrary, body will be buried here with Catholic rites, by care of Government.

(Telegraphic.)

(No. 3.)

Volo, March 31, 1878, 6 P.M.

With deep regret I report the death of your correspondent Mr. Ogle. He left on Thursday afternoon when he heard the Castle guns, and it is supposed that he went back with the insurgents to Macrinitza. His passport was brought here two hours since by a Turkish officer. I have seen the Military Commander and Hobart Pasha, and the story told me is that he was found in a house dead with a rifle in his hand. Hobart Pasha said that the body shall be brought here, when I shall be able to identify it. Telegraph an answer by Athens and Sourpi, not a Turkish line. I will continue to telegraph until I hear from you. Mr. Ogle had no arms with him, as he left his revolver here.

Sir,

(No. 4.)

To the Editor of the "Times."

Reuter's Telegraph Company, Limited, 24, Old Jewry, E.C.,
April 1, 1878.

We have just received a telegram from Athens reporting an event which we believe may be of personal interest to you, and we beg, therefore, to send you annexed a copy of the same.

I am, &c. (Signed) HERBERT DE REUTER.

"Athens, April 1.

"Correspondant Times,' Ogle, assassiné par Turcs, Vendredi, à Macrinitza. Corps transporté aujourd'hui à Volo."

(Translation.)

Athens, April 1, 1878

"Times'" correspondent, Ogle, assassinated by Turks, Friday, at Macrinitza. Body conveyed to-day to Volo.

Sir,

(No. 5.)

To the Editor of the "Times."

Reuter's Telegraph Company, Limited, 24, Old Jury, E.C.,
April 2, 1878.

We beg to inclose, for your information, further particulars respecting the sad fate of your correspondent Mr. Ogle, received from our Athens correspondent.

Yours faithfully,

(Signed) HERBERT DE REUTER. "Athens, April 1.

"Times' correspondent, Volo, returning from Macrinitza, March 29, after battle, was murdered by Turkish troops outside Volo. Murder kept secret two days. Turkish authorities assert deceased was killed in battle-a mere fabrication, Many witnesses saw deceased, Kalochorion (?), four hours after battle.

(No. 6.)

(Telegraphic.)

Athens, April 2, 1878. Editor of "National Mind," Athenian paper, expresses deepest condolence for loss to Hellenism by martyrdom of your correspondent, fallen victim to love of truth. Hellenic press and people associate itself to English mourning, hoping powerful England will never allow Turkish savages to perpetrate such crimes. Greece in general mourning, but hopes in generosity of English nation.

(No. 7.)

(Telegraphic.)

Volo, April

The following particulars have just been communicated to me by a gentleman who has been making inquiries on the spot, and they can be verified by a number of villagers :

"Mr. Ogle was seen on Friday at Portaria, two hours from here, at 3·30 P.M., one hour and a-half after on side of Pelion. He told the people not to be afraid as he was going down afterwards (?) to see the Consuls and get them to prevent the soldiers from going to the village. At 4:30 he was in Catochora, and encouraged the people there. From thence he intended going to Almeria, an hour from here, but the villagers had fled, and from this point all trace of him is lost. About ten minutes below Almeria a cordon was formed of one battalion of soldiers and one of Turks from the castle. At their hands, it seems probable, he met his death."

(No. 8.)

(Telegraphic.)

Ahmet Pasha to the Editor of the "Times."

Volo, March 31, 1878, 5·30 P.M.

I am sorry to inform you [ ? ] killed in late engagement at Macrinitza, He was with the insurgents at the defence of their principal redoubt.

(No. 9.)

Athens, April 2, 1878.

A private letter from Mr. Ogle to a friend at Athens a short time before his death may throw some light upon the assassination. The deceased gentleman had written the following letter to Hobart Pasha :

Hearing that you intend

"I am sorry that I cannot return your visit. bombarding Macrinitza, I am going there as the safest place."

Hobart Pasha, resenting the joke, replied

Apologise, or I will turn you out of Turkey."

The foregoing was kindly forwarded by "Reuter" to Mr. Ogle, with the remark that the source from which it came made it less authentic than other telegrams.

No. 6.

Lord Tenterden to Mr. Ogle.

Foreign Office, April 4, 1878.

LORD TENTERDEN presents his compliments to Mr. Ogle, and by Lord Salisbury's direction regrets to acquaint him that Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Athens reports that, according to information received from the Greek ViceConsul at Volo, it has been impossible to find Mr. Ogle's remains.

The passport which Mr. Ogle carried with him is in the possession of a Turk, who refuses to state more respecting it than that he found it on a dead body.

My Lord,

No. 7.

Mr. Layard to the Earl of Derby.-(Received April 5.)

Constantinople, March 25, 1878.

I HAVE the honour to inclose copy of a Memorandum sent to me by the Porte complaining of the proceedings of a "Times" correspondent in Thessaly. I have informed the Porte that I cannot remove the gentleman in question, and that it must take such steps as it may think proper should it have reason to object to his presence in the insurgent districts.

I have, &c.

VOICI le télégramme que le Vali de Yannina a adressé au Premier Ministre, en date du Mars, 1878:

18

"Le correspondant du Times' est arrivé à Volo et s'est adressé au Consul d'Italie en demandant deux zaptiés et une lettre officielle pour se rendre au village de Bulgarina, dans l'intérieur du district de Yénidjé.

"Si elle délivrait une telle lettre, l'autorité aurait eu l'air de vouloir garantir la vie du voyageur au milieu de localités infestées par des rebelles Grecs qui ont déjà brûlé plusieurs villages devenus par là le théâtre des hostilités.

Faire accompagner le voyageur dans ces endroits, fusse même par plusieurs zaptiés, c'est être fort dangereux. Pour tous ces motifs nous avons décliné la demande du susdit Consulat.

"Ce monsieur s'est rendu auprès des insurgés des villages Bulgarina et Kesrich en compagnie du frère d'un des Chefs insurgés nommé Papa Costa, d'un habitant de Volo, originaire de Yénidjé, et séjournant à Volo depuis quelques mois. Il a visité le district de Yénidjé en se donnant le titre d'Anglais et de fils du correspondant du Times.' Il a prétendu que les insurgés devaient se rendre dans le district où d'autres insurgés Grecs allaient les rejoindre pour dévaster les localités. Il a dit que les troupes Ottomanes étaient en petit nombre, et a donné des renseignements au sujet des points fortifiés, en ajoutant que bon nombre d'individus appartenant à des familles notables de la Grèce, ainsi que des étudiants, allaient se mettre à la tête ou rejoindre les insurgés.

"Ces nouvelles ont été communiquées par le Sous-Gouverneur de Yénidjé. Ce monsieur se trouve ici pour exciter le peuple. Des renseignements dignes de foi disent que le but de son voyage n'est autre que de fomenter des troubles. Il serait à peine nécessaire d'attirer l'attention de votre Altesse sur le résultat fatal pourrait produire une condition aussi séditieuse, surtout en présence des circonstances que nous traversons.

que

"Je prie, en conséquence, votre Altesse de vouloir bien faire les démarches nécessaires auprès de l'Ambassade de Sa Majesté Britannique à l'effet d'obtenir l'éloignement du pays de cet individu, dont la présence engendre des inconvénients."

(Translation.)

THE following is the telegram which the Vali of Janina addressed to the Prime Minister, dated the th March, 1878:

6

"The correspondent of the Times' has arrived at Volo, and made an application to the Italian Consul, requesting two zaptiehs, and an official letter to take with him to the village of Bulgarina, in the interior of the district of Yénidjé.

"If such a letter were given to him, the authorities would have seemed to wish to guarantee the life of the traveller in the midst of the localities infested by the Greek rebels, who had already burnt several villages, which had become thereby the scene of the hostilities.

"To have the traveller accompanied in these places, even by several zaptiehs, would be a very dangerous proceeding. For all these reasons we have declined to comply with the request of the above-named Consulate.