Mr. Straus to Mr.
Bayard.
Legation of
the United States,
Constantinople, February 8, 1889.
(Received February 25.)
No. 172.]
Sir: In reply to your instruction No. 180 of 21st
ultimo, with inclosure, copy of letter from Laforme and Frothingham,
respecting the proposed action of the authorities at Smyrna concerning the
storage of petroleum, I have the honor to report:
In the early part of December, 1888, this matter came before me through the
office of the consul-general, and I immediately sent a note to the Sublime
Porte, dated December 6, 1888, of which I inclose a copy for your
information.
At the same time I spoke personally with the minister of foreign affairs,
expanding my views upon the subject, as the matter seemed to be urgent, in
that it was reported that the proposed action would be taken forthwith.
The minister of foreign affairs promised me that he would at once telegraph
to the governor-general at Smyrna instructing him to take no action in the
matter, as it was under consideration between him (the minister) and myself.
He further promised that no action would be taken by the Sublime Porte until
after further discussion with me, and that he would advise me of any action
that might be contemplated.
[Page 713]
I have carefully noted your explicit directions, and the matter will have my
attention, should any further action on my part become necessary under the
circumstances above stated.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure in No. 172.]
Mr. Straus to the
Sublime Porte.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, December 6,
1888.
Excellency: I herewith have the honor to bring
to the attention of Your Excellency a protest made by Messrs. Reggio and
Belhomme, of Smyrna, representing Messrs. Laforme and Frothingham,
citizens of the United States, whose principal establishment is in the
city of Boston, in the said United States.
By the inclosed protest and the report of our consul at Symrna, it
appears that an attempt is being made by the vali of Aidin to compel the
agents of the said Laforme and Frothingham to transfer within two weeks
their petroleum from their own stores into stores provided by the
municipality, and to enforce excessive payments for storage.
In view of the fact that the stores of Reggio and Belhomme, the agents of
Messrs. Laforme and Frothingham, were built at a great cost pursuant to
a regulation made by the vali of Symrna in 1873, the proposed present
regulation is in direct conflict with vested property rights, and is
arbitary and unjust.
I deem it my duty to make a positive protest against the proposed action
of the vali of Aidin, and trust your excellency will cause orders to be
sent at once to Symrna with a view of preventing such action being
taken.
I have not entered upon an extended argument in this note, first, because
I desired to bring this official protest to your excellency’s notice
with as little delay as possible, and secondly, because the
subject-matter is fully stated in the inclosed protest of Reggio and
Belhomme.
Accept, etc.,
