Mr. Quincy to Mr.
Thompson.
Department
of State,
Washington, March 25,
1893.
No. 56.]
Sir: I transmit for your information, in connection
with the general subject of alleged interference with the mail of American
officers and citizens in Turkey, a copy of a letter from Mrs. L. A. W.
Fowler, of Dedham (Mass.), and its inclosure.
Previous instructions will have shown you the earnest solicitude of this
Government that the personal rights of our citizens in regard to private
papers and correspondence should be respected. The special case of the
inviolability of official correspondence has had serious consideration, and
called forth very positive instructions to you, in view of the reported
miscarriage of communications between yourself and Consul Jewett, in the
Marsovan incident. This aspect of the question should be kept separate from
the general subject of freedom of private correspondence, and pressed with
vigor. Under no circumstances can this Government admit the competency of
foreign authorities to obstruct or violate the right of official
communication between its officers in Turkey; and the fact of such
interference, if established, would be a hardly less grave international
offense than would be the restriction of the minister’s or consul’s personal
liberty by force.
Reverting to the complaint of Mrs. Riggs (in the inclosed letter), it may be
found that it involves the question of censorship over foreign printed
matter, a claim exercised by other governments than Turkey. The facts in
this his regard should, however, be ascertained and reported to the
Department, with a request for instructions, if deemed necessary.
I am, etc.,
Josiah Quincy,
Acting Secretary,
[Page 624]
[Inclosure in No. 56.]
Mrs. Fowler to Mr.
Gresham.
East
Street, Dedham, March 22,
1893.
Dear Sir: I am interested in the movement
regarding the greater security of mail matter between the United States
and Turkey. I have a friend and former pupil (at Elmira College, New
York, where she graduated), who is the daughter of the late Dr. Parsons,
of Turkey (who was murdered by the natives some years ago in his tent
while traveling as a missionary), and wife of Prof. Charles Riggs, of
Anatolia College. I have had no faith, for years, that books, pamphlets,
magazines, and papers, which I mail to her, paying all the postage
demanded, will ever reach her. In some instances it does; in others, and
more, it does not.
Even packages sent by steamer in sealed boxes by the missionary
association at the Congregational House are overhauled and opened before
they reach her and despoiled.
There ought to be absolute security that sealed matter sent by mail will
reach friends in Turkey.
I inclose a letter from her relating to a package of magazines that never
reached her. It may have some weight.
Yours, truly,
Mrs. Riggs to Mrs.
Fowler.
[Extract.]
We have just got the news of the meeting of the board, that is by last
mail, which comes on Mondays now. We send out mail for the United States
of America Thursdays. I have not yet seen the magazines you sent unless
it be the report of the “Perkins Blind Institute,” that was among a lot
of books that had been sent to Aleppo for examination. The Turkish
Government is very particular about the books we have. The other day
word came from Aleppo saying we could not have the Cyclopedia of
Missions, “but if we liked they would send it back to the United States
of America.”
It was a disappointment to us, for we had looked forward to the reading
of that book. It was sent for the college.
With good wishes, lovingly,
