Mr. Terrell to Mr. Sherman.
Constantinople, April 30, 1897. (Received May 13.)
Sir: Referring to your No. 1400 of April 15, regarding the case of the Seropian Brothers, I have the honor to inform you that under article 111 of the Turkish law of April 21, 1858, which relates to real estate, land once owned by a Turkish subject who has abandoned his nationality does not descend to his children. I know of no treaty stipulation between the United States and Turkey which would relieve from the operation of this rule naturalized citizens of the United States who have become such without the consent of the Sultan since 1869.
The letter of J. M. Seropian, which was inclosed in your dispatch, leaves it uncertain whether the suit referred to by him is for the recovery of the land claimed under the will of his stepbrother alone or whether it embraces also the land inherited from their parents before their emigration to the United States.
I have, etc.,