Mr. Leishman to Mr.
Hay.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, June 9,
1902.
No. 209.]
Sir: Referring to your telegraphic
instructiona of May 24 last, with reference to the
request of the Cuban Government that the United States consuls
throughout the Ottoman Empire should represent the interests of Cuba
until such time as the latter nation should be in a position to appoint
its own representatives, I have now the honor to inclose herewith for
your information a copy of a note which I addressed to the Ottoman
Government immediately upon receipt of the above-mentioned telegram, and
the copy of a second note which I feel obliged to transmit to the Porte
to-day. During the intervening-two weeks between the transmittal of my
first note and of my second I have several times called upon the
minister for foreign affairs, and during my interviews with him I have
urged a prompt decision in regard to this matter. Each time I have been
assured that it would be settled satisfactorily and immediately.
You will readity perceive from this example of the method of treating a
very simple request how extremely difficult it is becoming to cause any
action to be taken on any of the numerous cases which have been pending
for a very long period. The Imperial Government shows a disposition to
inactivity which is as unaccountable as it is annoying. This
“do-nothing” policy is not confined alone to the United States, as I am
aware that at least one of my colleagues has suffered from the same
cause. * * *
I shall lose no time in telegraphing the reply of the Imperial Government
directly it is received.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1.]
Mr. Leishman to
the Minister for Foreign
Affairs.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, May
26, 1902.
No. 113.]
Your Excellency: I have the honor to inform
you that I have this day received telegraphic instructions from my
Government to the effect that the President of Cuba has requested
the United States Government to cause its consular officers
throughout the Turkish Empire to be authorized to use their good
offices in representation of the interests of Cuba and its citizens
until Cuban consuls shall have been appointed.
I have therefore the honor to request that this necessary permission
be granted, and that your excellency will be good enough to notify
me within as short a space of time as possible concerning the action
taken by the Imperial Government in this matter, as it is necessary
that I should at once inform my Government by telegraph.
I have, etc.,
[Page 1042]
[Inclosure 2.]
Mr. Leishman to
the Minister for Foreign
Affairs.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, June 9, 1902.
No. 119.]
Your Excellency: On May 24 last I had the
honor to inform you that I had received telegraphic instructions
from my Government to request the Imperial Government to allow the
United States consuls throughout the Ottoman Empire to act for
Cubans and for Cuban interests until such time as the latter country
should be able to appoint their own representatives.
Your excellency will observe that since the transmittal of my note to
you more than two weeks have elapsed, and as the urgency of the
matter was sufficiently evinced to you at the time, I have now the
honor to request that an immediate reply may be sent to me, stating
whether or not the Imperial Government is willing to accede to the
desire of the Cuban Government.
I have, etc.,
