Legation of
the United States,
Constantinople, February 15, 1890.
(Received March 8.)
No. 85.]
[Inclosure in No.
85.—Translation.]
Sublime Porte to Mr.
Hirsch.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Sublime Porte, February 13,
1890.
The ministry of foreign affairs has had the honor to receive the note verbale which the legation of the United
States of America has kindly addressed to it on the 28th of November
last, No. 14, with regard to the dispositions of article v of the regulation on the foreign
consulates.
The Sublime Porte, in acquiescing in the desire expressed by most of the
foreign missions, has decided to call for military service only the
dragomans and cavasses who may in future enter into the service of the
consulates, excusing in that way from the obligation the Mussulmans at
present in service. As to the Christian employés, they must without
distinction pay the exoneration tax which falls to their share.
In order to prevent, however, in practice, any misunderstanding, the
provincial authorities have received instruction to be always careful,
when the appointment of a cavass is notified to them, to make known
officially to the interested consulate the exact situation of the cavass
in relation to military service.
The ministry of foreign affairs begs the legation of the United States of
America to be kind enough on its side to give to its agents in the
Empire instructions to the same effect.