No. 956.
Mr. Bayard
to Mr. Wurts.
Department
of State,
Washington
,
September 25,
1888.
No. 144]
Sir: I inclose a copy of a dispatch from the United
States minister at Teheran, relating to the case of Mr. Easton, an American
missionary at Tabriz, whose passport the Russian consul at that place
declines to visa.
[Page 1412]
It would seem that Mr. Easton’s object in seeking a visa to his pass port is
simply to quit Tabriz by the shorter and more expedition-route passing
through Russian territory via the Baku and Batoum
road, instead of being compelled to take the longer and more difficult
journey through Armenia to Trebizond.
You are instructed to endeavor to obtain the requisite permission for transit
for himself and family.
Should Mr. Easton’s object be to reside in Russia, the Department would wish
fuller information touching the circumstances of his expulsion from
Turkistan by General Skobeleff, during a state of hostilities which it is
believed no longer continues.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure in No. 144.]
Mr. Pratt to Mr.
Bayard.
Legation of the United States,
Teheran
,
August 17,
1888.
No. 270.]
Sir: I have the honor to report that having
been advised by Her Britannic Majesty’s minister here, Sir Henry
Drummond Wolff, that he was informed by Mr. William G. Abbott, British
consul at Tabriz, that the Russian consul at that point had given notice
that, in accordance with instructions from St. Petersburg, he could no
longer visa the passports of missionaries of the English church or of
priests of the church of Rome under British protection desiring to enter
Russia, but that no similar instructions had been given him concerning
American missionaries except in regard to the Rev. Mr. Easton, who he
observed was positively prohibited entering Russia under any
circumstances, I requested Sir Drummond Wolff, at my expense, to inquire
by telegraph of Consul Abbott the cause of the special prohibition in
the case of Mr. Easton, all Americans at Tabriz and vicinity being, as
you know, under the protection Of the local English consular
representative.
A copy of the dispatch received by mail, answering the above inquiry and
transmitted me to-day by Sir Drummond, I respectfully submit, inclosed,
requesting that you will kindly consider its contents and instruct me by
cable, should you deem that necessary, what action I am to take in the
premises.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 2 in No. 144.]
Mr. Abbott to Sir
Drummond Wolff.
Tabriz
,
August 11,
1888.
Sir: I had this day the honor to receive from
your excellency the following telegram:
“Your dispatch No. 8 I have telegraphed as requested. Can you let me know
by post, for the United States minister, reasons for individual
prohibition mentioned in inclosure four?”
In reply I have further the honor to state that during the Russian
campaign against the Turkomans, Mr. Easton repaired to the scene of
action, and arriving at Geog Tepé shortly after the capture of that
place by General Skobeleff, commenced preaching amongst the Turkomans,
but the Russians taking him for an Englishman he was speedily conducted
across the frontier.
Since this incident Mr. Easton’s entry into Russia has been prohibited.
He has no intention at present of quitting Persia for America, but he
has a delicate wife and a large family of small children for whom the
journey to Trebizond would be very difficult. If therefore the United
States minister could succeed in removing the prohibition in question
the Easton family would be deeply grateful.
I have, etc.,
