Mr. Leishman to Mr.
Hay.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, September 6,
1901.
No. 71.]
Sir: I have the honor to inclose copy of note
which I have addressed to the Porte in regard to Rev. R. M. Cole, from
which you will observe that, notwithstanding the promises made by the
Imperial Ottoman Government and the instructions sent to local vali,
which were afterwards countermanded, the desired Turkish traveling
teskéréh was not furnished to Mr. Cole, and consequently I felt
compelled to assume the position indicated in above-mentioned note.
From what I can glean, the antagonism shown is caused by a desire to
annoy and harass Mr. Cole for the active interest he has always taken in
the Armenian cause, especially during the massacres.
If Mr. Cole carries out instructions strictly I do not anticipate any
serious trouble.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1.]
Mr. Leishman to
the Porte.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, September 3, 1901.
No. 37.]
Excellency: Referring to the legation note
No. 22 of June 24 last, I beg to advise your excellency that I
refrained from taking any action in regard to the Rev. Mr. Cole,
having been assured by his excellency the minister of the interior
on the 30th June that instructions had been sent to the governor of
Bitlis to furnish Mr. Cole with a traveling teskéréh, and, if
necessary, to furnish him with a guard. This information was
confirmed by Mr. Cole, who, it appears, accepted the word of the
acting governor that he would be given a teskéréh whenever he wished
to travel, the excuse being that countermanding orders had been
received from Constantinople. This appeared very much like an act of
bad faith on the part of some of His Imperial Majesty’s officials
which can not be overlooked, and as the Government of the United
States can not permit any infringement on the rights guaranteed
through the favored nation clause of rights and privileges granted
other friendly powers, and not being willing to permit Mr. Cole
being treated practically as a prisoner, I have to-day telegraphed
Mr. Cole authorizing him to travel freely wherever his duty and
personal interests may call him throughout the Turkish Empire, and I
hereby notify your excellency that I shall hold the Imperial Ottoman
Government responsible for the personal safety of Mr. Cole and
strictly accountable of any damage, annoyances, or inconveniences
which may suffer.
Regreting the circumstances which compel me to take this step,
I beg, etc.,
[Page 528]
[Inclosure 2.—Telegram.]
Mr. Leishman to
Mr. Cole.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, September 3, 1901.
As the several officers of the Ottoman Government have failed to
carry out their promises, you are authorized by the legation to
travel wherever your duty or personal interests may call you on your
American passport, taking always care to inform [local governor?] of
your movements. I am notifying Porte that I have given you such
instructions, and I will hold His Imperial Majesty’s Government
strictly accountable for any delay, damages, or injury that you may
suffer. Await receipt of letter which I am sending you giving full
instructions.
[Inclosure 3.]
Mr. Leishman to
Mr. Cole.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, September 3, 1901.
Sir: I received your telegram while ill in
bed, advising that the local governor had refused you a traveling
teskéréh. This was quite a surprise to me, as I was led to believe
by your telegram that you had already been furnished with same. As I
had taken extra precautions to assure myself, as not being satisfied
with the assurance given me by the minister of the interior that
word has been sent to the governor of Bitlis to furnish you with a
traveling teskéréh and if necessary with a guard, I wired you to the
effect and asked you whether it has been done, to which you replied:
“Received your telegram. Vali’s representative says instructions
arrived that no hindrance to my traveling. See letter,” giving me to
understand that you had been furnished with the desired passport,
but it now appears that you merely accepted the acting governor’s
promise that you would be furnished with desired passport when you
were to travel and when that time arrived you were refused and given
to understand that countermanding order had been received from
Constantinople.
Under the circumstances I have wired advising you to travel wherever
your duty or personal interests called you on your American
passport, but not attempt to go anywhere that is dangerous or
unsafe, and be very careful not to take any unusual risks; and you
should also take the precaution to notify the local governor before
starting that you intend visiting such and such a place, so as to
leave no room for any excuse should you be stopped, interfered with,
or attacked by the police, by the authorities, or by burglars en
route; and should such an emergency arise, communicate at once with
the legation by wire.
Yours, etc.,
