No. 560.
Mr. Wallace to Mr. Frelinghuysen.
Constantinople, July 20, 1883. (Received August 6.)
Sir: There seems to be a general stagnation in diplomatic business in this capital; and if the reason assigned for it is true, the condition may be expected to endure until the fast of Ramazan is over. This great service of Islam should have begun on the 5th of July, but* * * it was deferred, and began on the 6th, and will, consequently, end at sunset, August 6. The authorities must then be given three days for Bairam.
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In the matter of tariff revision there is nothing new. The Germans and Italians are the only ones who seem to show a disposition to actually engage in the work. Both those powers have seven years to run under their old arrangements. Yet they have announced their willingness to waive their rights of continuance upon condition that the business be finally concluded by the 1st of October next. The general opinion is that the condition allows the Sublime Porte too short a time. The French and Austrians have continuing terms also. I cannot learn that they are doing anything. Meantime the content with the 8 per cent, ad valorem rule grows apace. In fact, the satisfaction with it is so general as to account for the apathy on the part of importing powers. The Turks continue to suffer from it.
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I have, &c.,