Mr. Newberry to Mr.
Foster.
Legation of
the United States,
Constantinople, July 28, 1892.
(Received August 13.)
No. 504.]Sir: On July 22 I was called upon by Dr. Bowen, of
the American Bible Society, who made complaint that the authorities of
Aleppo were interfering with the work of their colporteur at that place. I
called upon the grand vizier, who promised an immediate remedy, and I also
requested Dr. Bowen to find out and inform me if the promise was kept. Dr.
Bowen’s letter (inclosure No. 1) seems to prove that it was.
To-day I am in receipt of another complaint of the same nature from Alachan.
Another visit to the Porte called forth a like promise to the Aleppo
case.
I have, etc.,
H. R. Newberry,
Chargé d’Affaires ad interim.
[Inclosure 1 in No. 504.]
Dr. Bowen to Mr.
Newberry.
American Bible Society,
Constantinople, July 23,
1892.
Dear Sir: I regret being obliged to trouble you
with another case of illegal interference with our colporteurs. This
time it is at Alachan, in the Sanjak of Samsoon, Vilayet Trebizonde. It
is really the renewal of an old case, supposed to be settled. Mr.
Papazoglon, our colporteur there, was roughly treated over a year ago,
and for the sake of peace, after the case was settled, we sent him
elsewhere. But now the authorities have again prohibited him from
working according to his custom in the streets and market places, and
they plead in their defense an order of the governor of Samsoon of May,
1892. This whole case from its very beginning, a year ago last March, up
to the present day has been most exasperating in its details, and
notwithstanding assurances to the legation, repeated again and again,
has never yet been fully settled. It figures heavily in the indemnity
claim which our society will soon present at Washington. I beg of you to
demand that a telegraphic order be sent at once, not merely to the
Trebizonde vali, but also to the Samsoon mutaseriff and to the caima kan
of Alachan, to withdraw the illegal orders and let our colporteurs
alone. Our men will be instructed by us to telegraph as soon as
permitted to go without restraint about their business.
I have as yet no intelligence from Aleppo as to the settlement of the
difficulty there, but will let you know as soon as I receive any
information.
I shall be very greatly obliged if in this Alachan case very prompt and
decisive action can be taken.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure 2 in No. 504.]
Dr. Bowen to Mr.
Newberry.
American Bible Society,
Constantinople, July 26,
1892.
Dear Mr. Newberry: It gives me satisfaction to
inform you that the difficulty at Aleppo seems to be settled, at least
for the present, thanks to your energetic action.
I hope we may as quickly and satisfactorily settle the case at Alachan,
of which I wrote you a day or two ago. Thanking you for your kindness, I
remain,
