No. 468.
Mr. Maynard to Mr. Evarts.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, July 10, 1879.
(Received August 4.)
No. 325.]
Sir: I have received from the Sublime Porte a
note informing me that a small increase in customs dues for the support
of schools, in the Island of Crete, is proposed, and asking me to invite
the consent of the Government of the United States to the measure.
I therefore inclose a copy of the note with a translation, and await such
instruction as the President may think proper to transmit.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure in No. 325.]
Caratheodori
Pasha to Mr. Maynard.
Sublime Porte, Ministry of Foreign
Affairs,
July 9,
1879.
increase of customs duties to be
established in crete.
Sir: By a vote just submitted for the
sanction of the Sublime Porte, the Cretan national assembly has
decided to assess for the maintenance of the schools of the island,
a tax in addition to the customs dues of 1½ per thousand, to be
collected on all imports and exports.
Although this extra assessment is contrary to the stipulations of the
treaties of commerce, the imperial government not unreasonably hopes
that, both on account of its moderate rate and of the end for which
it is designed, the Government of the United States of America will
not oppose the collection of this tax.
I consequently beg you to kindly invoke the consent of your
government to the extra assessment in question.
Accept, sir, the assurance of my very distinguished
consideration.
