Mr. Hay to Mr. Choate.
Washington , October 18, 1902 .
Sir: The Department has corresponded with the American legation at Constantinople and the United States consul at Erzerum with reference to the protection of American interests at Bitlis. The upshot of this correspondence is that the British vice-consul at Bitlis has been authorized by the British ambassador in Turkey to use his good offices on behalf of American interests in his consular district. In his No. 282, of the 30th ultimo, the chargé d’affaires ad interim of the United States to the Ottoman Porte writes that he has received the customary ministerial letter authorizing His Britannic Majesty’s vice-consul to protect American interests as requested.
You will express to Lord Lansdowne this Government’s appreciation of the courtesy shown in permitting the vice-consul to assume charge of those interests.
I am, etc.,