Mavroyeni Bey to Mr.
Gresham.
[Translation.]
Imperial Legation of Turkey,
Washington, April 5,
1895.
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.,
[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.
