Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President, Transmitted to Congress, December 4, 1893

Mr. Terrell to Mr. Gresham.

[Extract.]

Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, October 25, 1893. (Received November 11.)

No. 90.]

Sir: Six days have now passed since I visited the Porte and respectfully but firmly reminded both the minister of foreign affairs and the grand vizier of the promise to issue the iradé for the Marsovan school “in two or three months,” and that two months had expired. I was referred by Said Pasha, minister of foreign affairs, to the grand vizier, with the assurance of his desire to see my application granted. The grand vizier expressed the same desire, said that all matters of form that might further delay would be waived, and the whole matter closed as soon as the Sultan should act. I had sent to the Porte some days before a formal note, giving notice that on the 19th October I would formally apply for the paper. This, he informed me, he had delivered to the Sultan, and that he would see him again on the matter next day. He also requested that I send Gargiulo up to Yildéz palace and have him request the chief secretary to call the matter to the Sultan’s attention. Two days afterward I was requested to furnish the Porte, for the Sultan’s information, a statement showing (1) when the school was established; (2) the curriculum of study; (3) the names of the professors and directors; (4) a list of the books used, and one or two other things. To avoid mistake I telegraphed at once to Marsovan for the information. It has not readied me yet, and I fear that when it comes some further excuse for delay will be found, for the Turkish ambassador at London, whose recent interview in The World designated the Marsovan college as a hotbed of sedition, but expresses a belief too prevalent among Turks.

Your dispatch No. 60 of September instructs me that “should the Porte evade or repudiate its own solemn voluntary agreement * * * it will be time to formulate a demand as of right.”

A favorable solution may be reached before you see this dispatch, for I had not failed to impress the Porte with the importance that you attach to the observance of its obligation. Should it be otherwise, I will telegraph, and make no formal demand without instructions.

I have, etc.,

A. W. Terrell.

[Inclosure in No. 90.]

Mr. Terrell to the Imperial ministry of foreign affairs.

[Note verbale.]

The imperial ministry is informed that on the 19th of August last his highness the grand vizier was applied to for the firman for the American college at Marsovan, in pursuance of the conditions on which the claim of the United States for the destruction of the female branch of that college was so happily settled.

His highness desired that the issuance of the firman should be delayed for two months on account of the excited condition of feeling among the people of Marsovan. Although this legation was surprised at the reason given for delay, it appealed strongly to the sense of justice of a friendly power, and the United States has not disapproved of this legation’s action in consenting to the delay.

This legation is informed by letters from Marsovan that the seditious men there who were led by a Russian Armenian have been killed or captured by Government officers. No reason, now appearing why the firman should not issue in compliance with previous contract, it will be applied for on the 19th day of the present month.

This evidence of the confidence of his Imperial Majesty in American citizens must tend to strengthen still more the bonds of friendship which unite the two Governments.