Mr. Griscom to Mr. Hay.
Constantinople , December 12, 1900.
Sir: I have the honor to confirm my telegram of yesterday wherein I request that the battle ship Kentucky be allowed to remain a little longer in Turkish waters in order to remove any impression that its visit here is of a hostile nature.
I have to acknowledge the receipt this day of your reply.
I have now to report that on the 10th instant I attended a dinner at Yildiz Palace, accompanied by Captain Chester and his staff. I presented these gentlemen to His Majesty in audience before dinner, and after dinner Captain Chester and I were received in a long private audience.
The Sultan welcomed Captain Chester cordially, and expressed to him the pleasure he had in entertaining him in Constantinople. During the conversation there was no mention of the diplomatic affairs pending between the two countries beyond the fact that the Sultan stated he had purchased a cruiser from Messrs. Cramp, of Philadelphia. It was apparent that he regarded our questions as absolutely settled, and his evident desire was to convey this impression without using any direct expressions. He evinced a most friendly disposition [Page 515] toward the United States and requested that the President be fully informed as to the reception of Captain Chester and the entertainment at the palace. The dinner was a very direct compliment to the United States, as no other foreigners were invited, and necessarily I was placed at His Majesty’s left hand, and at his right was the grand vizier and then Captain Chester. Nearly all the cabinet officials and marshals of the Empire were present. During the dinner His Majesty conversed affably with me and showed a friendly interest in the American Navy and American institutions. He informed me that if the cruiser which he had just bought from Messrs. Cramp was a success he intended to buy in America three or four more of a larger type. He also stated that he had great confidence in the rifles manufactured in America, and that he proposed in the near future to make a large purchase for his army.
Captain Chester leaves to-day for Smyrna, and his orders from the Navy Department were to leave for Manila as soon as he returned to his ship. He was desirous of remaining long enough to exchange courtesies with the local Turkish authorities, and it seemed to me desirable that the ship’s departure should not be too abrupt, so I therefore telegraphed you as above reported, expressing the hope that the Kentucky be allowed to remain a little longer in Turkish waters.
I have, etc.,