Mr. Hirsch to Mr. Blaine.
Constantinople, May 14, 1892. (Received May 28.)
Sir: The efforts on the part of this legation to arrive at a solution of the school question by a definite and satisfactory arrangement with the Sublime Porte have thus far yielded but little. The latter claims a strong desire for an early adjustment, but seems unwilling “to adjust” except we relinquish privileges which the American schools here have enjoyed many years. Both the French and English embassies meet with the same inadmissible propositions in their discussions with the Porte; the nature of the disagreements seems to leave little hope of an early settlement.
While we have yielded the point of Turkish inspection of our schools the French ambassador informed me two days ago that he can not even consent to it.
While neither the British ambassador nor myself feel able to consent to the exclusion of Mussulman children, the French ambassador yields that point to the Turks.
While we hold that application for permission is not required under existing laws, the British ambassador is willing to make application coupled with certain conditions, and so there seem a great many differences difficult to reconcile without making concessions on all sides, which, in this country, as the Department is aware, requires much time. In the meantime the order of January last still exists, and, although suspended, is, as I stated in my No. 417 of March 31, 1892, liable to be put in force at any time.
The British ambassador, at the time of its suspension, reported to Lord Salisbury that it meant abandonment, and likened it to an affirmative vote in Parliament on the proposition “to read the bill this day nine months.”
I regret that he has had occasion within the past few days to change his opinion; the order has again made its appearance.
M. Cambon, the French ambassador, kindly furnished me with a copy of a communication (inclosure No. 1) from the governor of Palestine to the French consul-general at Jerusalem, to the effect that schools and churches which exist without authorization will be finally and irrevocably closed unless they procure the necessary permit within three months from April 26, 1892.
An order (inclosure No. 2) has been issued by the mutessarif of Urfa, in the vilayet of Aleppo, dated February 29 (old style), March 12 (new style), to the chiefs of the religious communities, giving them nine months within which permission must be obtained, and thus the time is changed in accordance with circumstances in various localities.
I notified the Porte last week that I was unwilling to continue the discussions and negotiations on the school question until the above order is withdrawn.
I assured them, however, that while my propositions heretofore made or consented to by me would now be considered as never having existed, yet in case the January order be withdrawn they would find me ready to discuss the question in as liberal a spirit as heretofore.
I have, etc.,