Mr. Newberry to Mr.
Foster.
Legation of
the United States,
Constantinople, September 26, 1892.
(Received October 13.)
No. 547.]Sir: I have the honor to herewith inclose for your
information copy of a letter from Dr. Bowen, of the Bible House, regarding
the seizure of a lot of Bibles at the town of Geybize. Also copy of my note
to the minister of foreign affairs on the same subject.
I also called on the grand vizier, and read to him a memorandum of the case.
He immediately dictated a telegram to the authorities of Geybize ordering
the return of the books and future nonmolestation.
I have, etc.,
H. R. Newberry,
Chargé d’Affaires ad interim.
[Inclosure 1 in No. 547.]
Dr. Bowen to Mr.
Newberry.
Bible
House, Constantinople, September 24,
1892.
Dear Mr. Newberry: Another seizure of Bibles
has occurred. It occurred three days ago at Geybize, a town a little
ways out on the Nicomedian Railway, within the limits of the vilayet of
Constantinople. As I understand the matter, the personal liberty of the
colporteur has not been interfered with, but only his books seized. The
only excuse is that they have not the imprimatur of the Turkish
Government. But as they were not printed in Turkey it is not surprising
that this imprimatur should be missing. They are Bibles which come
through the customhouse in the regular way, and which are in circulation
all over the Empire. It ought to be easy for his excellency to settle
the case, as it is so near headquarters. As I do not wish our agent
delayed long in this small town, I hope you may be able to request that
the books be given back as soon as possible. I am perfectly disgusted
that this thing should occur right here and that I should be obliged to
come to you so soon again with a request of this nature, but I seem to
be left with no choice in the matter.
I am etc.,
M. Bowen,
Agent of the American Bible Society.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 547.]
Mr. Newberry to
Said Pacha.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, September 24,
1892.
Excellency: I beg to inform your excellency
that on or about September la number of Bibles were seized by the
authorities at Geybize, vilayet of Constantinople. These Bibles are the
property of the American Bible Society, which came through the
custom-house in the regular way and are in circulation all over the
Empire. The excuse for the seizure was that they did not have the
imprimatur of the Turkish Government, which is not surprising as they
were not printed in Turkey.
[Page 596]
It seems particularly ridiculous that such a seizure should take place
within this vilayet, and I must demand of your excellency that immediate
orders he given for the return of these Bibles to the persons from whom
they were seized.
Permit me to reiterate to your excellency the assurance of my
distinguished consideration.
H. R. Newberry,
Chargé d’Affaires ad
interim.
