Mr. Terrell to Mr.
Olney.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, August 19, 1896.
(Received Sept. 3.)
No. 952.]
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that on the
15th instant I despaired of obtaining from the Porte the release of the
naturalized American citizens now in prison at Aleppo, or of procuring
permission for the wives of more than forty American citizens to rejoin
their husbands in America. The difficulty was at the palace.
Thereupon the original of the inclosed note was sent to Tahsin Bey, the
chief secretary of the Sultan, demanding an audience. No answer was
returned by the secretary, but on the same day the inclosed note was
received from Izzet Bey, a subordinate functionary at the palace, who
for himself informed me that His Majesty was too busy to receive me
before Friday next (seven days).
On Monday, August 17, I sent by my dragoman the inclosed note to Tahsin
Bey, inquiring whether the Sultan authorized the note signed by Izzet,
and requesting a written answer. My dragoman was informed by both Izzet
and Tahsin that my last note had been communicated to the Sultan and
that he authorized the note sent by Izzet; but no written answer was
sent to me.
I inclose the note from my dragoman, Mr. Gargiulo, regarding that
interview.
Thus deprived of access to the Sultan, who naturally desired to avoid
being charged with violating the modus vivendi agreed on between us two
years ago (and which prohibited his imprisonment of naturalized American
citizens), it seemed my plain duty to telegraph you regarding the
situation. A copy of my telegram is inclosed.
The Sultan and Porte, under three successive administrations, have
recognized our modus vivendi, on making which the Sultan grasped my hand
over two years ago. Under it, Mooradian, Krikor Arakelian, and Melcoun
Guedjian (besides others) were surrendered to me.
Efforts for relief at the Porte have been persistent.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
952.]
Mr. Terrell to
Tahsin Bey.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, August 15, 1896.
Sir: I request that you present my
compliments to His Imperial Majesty and inform him that I demand a
personal audience with him under instructions from my
Government.
Receive, excellency, etc.
[Page 919]
[Inclosure 2 in No.
952.]
Izzet Bey to
Mr. Terrell.
Mr. Minister: His Imperial Majesty, my
august master, being occupied up to Friday and not being able to
grant you an audience in the course of the week, I keep myself at
the disposal of your excellency for any communication you may please
to make to me.
I avail myself, etc.,
[Inclosure 3 in No.
952.]
Mr. Terrell to
Tahsin Bey.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, August 17, 1896.
Sir: On the 15th instant I addressed you a
note requesting you to inform His Imperial Majesty the Sultan that,
under instructions from my Government, I applied for a personal
audience with His Imperial Majesty the Sultan.
On the night of the 15th instant I received the inclosed (copy) note
from His Excellency Izzet Bey, which informs me that as His Imperial
Majesty the Sultan would be busy until Friday next His Excellency
Izzet Bey would hold himself ready to receive any communication I
might desire to make him (Izzet Bey).
Will your excellency be pleased to inform me whether the note from
His Excellency Izzet Bey was written under instructions from your
august master, and answer in writing.
Receive, excellency, etc.,
[Inclosure 4 in No.
952.]
Mr. Gargiulo to
Mr. Terrell.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, August 17, 1896.
Sir: I have the honor to report that I have
delivered to-day your letter to Tahsin Bey, the first secretary of
the Sultan, with regard to the communication made to you by Izzet
Bey, to know if the latter acted under instructions from the
Sultan.
Tahsin Bey submitted it to the Sultan, and about half an hour later
Izzet Bey came to the office of Tahsin Bey, bringing the reply of
the Sultan, as follows:
The letter was written in consequence of a special iradé
given to Izzet Bey for that purpose. The reason Izzet Bey
was placed at your disposal was because the Sultan, who
could not grant you an audience in the course of a week, did
not wish, if you had any pressing matters to submit to him,
to let them suffer by delay.
When I requested Tahsin Bey to reply in writing to your letter, he
said: “You are the official interpreter of the United States
legation. I give you the answer of His Majesty officially and in the
presence of Izzet Bey. I do not believe that a written answer can
have more weight.”
[Page 920]
In reply, I told him that your letter required a written answer, and
that I could not look upon the verbal answer as being satisfactory;
but, anyhow, I would communicate it to you.
I am, sir, etc.,
