Mr. Thompson to Mr. Gresham.
Constantinople, April 14, 1893. (Received May 8.)
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that on the completion of the report of Mr. Newberry, secretary of legation, who had been sent by me to Marsovan to investigate the charge made against the Turkish officials at that place of having caused the destruction of the unfinished school building of the American College by fire on the night of February 2, 1893, I called on his excellency the minister for foreign affairs and informed him of the purposes of my visit. He explained to me that as this was the season of the feast of Ramazan, which would terminate on to-morrow and would be followed by the feast of Bairam, which would last three days, during which time little or no official business is transacted, he would promise me full reparation for the loss (and compliance with the informal information I had given him as to the form of demand) on or before the 22d of this month, and asked me not to make the formal demand, but to give him an opportunity to make me the offer of reparation. On this promise of his excellency I granted the time asked for, and sent to the State Department the telegram of the 14th.
I hope his excellency the minister for foreign affairs will comply with his promise made to me. If it is not done the formal demand for reparation will then be made.
I have etc.,