Mavroyeni Bey to Mr. Gresham.

[Translation.]

Mr. Secretary of State: Although the news appearing in the papers may not always be correct, I think it my duty, nevertheless, by reason of its importance, to draw your excellency’s attention to the inclosed extract from the New York Herald of to day.

It is therein said, in substance, that upon the representations of the Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, the Government of the United States has decided to send the San Francisco to Smyrna, and even that notification of this decision has been given to the Bev. Judson Smith, secretary of the Board.

Surely this news must be inexact in view of the friendly relations which unite the two countries. I therefore beg your excellency to be pleased to inform me touching the reality of the facts.

Be pleased to accept, etc.,

Mavroyeni.
[Inclosure.]

From the New York Herald, April 5, 1895.

Last year, when the u. S. S. Chicago, flagship of Rear-Admiral Henry Erben, was in Smyrna, western Turkey, the American residents there persuaded the admiral to report to the Navy Department in favor of making Smyrna a naval rendezvous station for the Mediterranean squadron.

Representatives of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions have now joined in the appeal, because they regard Smyrna as the most important point for a naval rendezvous in that part of the Mediterranean. Constantinople can not be approached by war vessels without a special permit, which can not be secured easily. Next to the capital, the commercial interests of Smyrna are vastly in advance of any other port in Turkey. British. French, Russian, German, and Italian men-of-war visit Smyrna frequently, but the American flag has been very seldom seen.

Orders have been issued from the Navy Department directing the U. S. S. San Francisco to sail from Palermo to Smyrna this week, and Secretary Gresham has so notified the Rev. Judson Smith, D. D., secretary of the American Board, in Boston.