Correspondence with R. Frew

  • Reference
    • GB 133 GDN/A/F34
  • Dates of Creation
    • 1 Mar 1911-26 Nov 1912
  • Physical Description
    • 13 pieces; 15 sheets

Scope and Content

Correspondence with Robert Frew, minister and missionary, relating to a request that Frew act as correspondent for the Manchester Guardian in Constantinople [owing to the build up to and the outbreak of the Italo-Turkish war, and the first Balkan war], with discussion of the form and arrangements for the provision of information and articles, which is accepted.

There is reference to a trip by Frew to Smyrna, and discussion of the current political climate in Albania, with reference to a meeting between Frew and Eqrem Vlora, Albanian lord and politician, and discussion of the censorship of reports on torture charges in the press in Albania. Also included is discussion of the on-going political situation in Turkey, with discussion of Mehmed V. Rasad, sultan, [W.T.?] Stead, Kiamil Pasha, grand vizier and Ottoman statesman, and Moustafa Assim Bay, politician and foreign minister. There is discussion of the government, the opening of parliament, and the loyalty of the army.

There is correspondence relating to an article on Constantinople in the Manchester Guardian, which appears to be a copy of an article which appeared in The Chronicle. There is discussion of the number of telegrams sent by Frew, and of the need for telegrams on important developments only. Also included is discussion of the termination of the arrangement with Frew, owing to the Manchester Guardian entering into a special war service with other papers for the provision of information on the war in Turkey.

There is discussion of a bad cholera epidemic in the region, and a request for an article from Frew on his work in the Cholera camp in San Stefano, providing details of the administration of the camp, the assistance of Europeans, and how we equipped Turkey is to deal with the issue.

There are letters of recommendation for Frew from Sir William Mitchell Ramsay, classical scholar and archaeologist.

GDN/A/F34/9 is an article entitled 'In Constantinople; Preaching a War of Conquest', in the [Manchester Guardian, 1912].

GDN/A/F34/10 is an article on the situation in Constantinople in [The Chronicle, 1912].