Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay.
Constantinople, February 13, 1903.
(Mr. Leishman reports that matters are certainly receiving more than usual attention, if one can judge from apparent activity and from promises, as the Porte has even gone so far as to state that Mr. Leishman could consider the Beirut matter closed, as the firman has been sent to the palace for his Imperial Majesty’s signature; but, as many other promises remain unfulfilled, he does not feel warranted in reporting anything accomplished until he is in actual receipt of the official documents.
The minister for foreign affairs reports to-day that the general school question is being considered by the council of state, and asks for a detailed list of schools, which Mr. Leishman has indorsed to avoid filing in advance of settlement of question in principle, fearing it might possibly be used as an excuse for delay, adhering to his demand that what the American Government now desires and expects is that any and all of the American educational, charitable, and religious institutions throughout the Ottoman Empire be granted the same rights, privileges, and immunities that have been or may be granted to similar institutions under the protection of other nations. The settlement of this general principle Mr. Leishman considers much more important than individual firmans for the different institutions, and is strongly of the opinion that a settlement on this point should be insisted on, and states that while he has no particular reasons to doubt [Page 740] being able to secure a satisfactory settlement eventually through the Sublime Porte, it may require some time, and of course there is always the possibility that in the end it may have to be taken to the palace, where all real power is centered. Consequently, in the absence of further instructions he does not feel warranted in longer delaying his request for a personal audience with His Imperial Majesty in order to make proper demands for the settlement of pending questions. Once this is done, however, it is Mr. Leishman’s opinion that negotiations with the Porte on these questions should be dropped, and not only the audience with the Sultan insisted upon, but also the prompt and absolute settlement of pending questions, for unless this stand be taken the audience, even if granted, would in all probability only result in having the matter referred back to the Porte with favorable recommendation, which, in reality, would mean nothing, as interminable delay would follow by questions and examinations by different incompetent departments, to be reexamined by others of the same sort. There is no doubt but that the Sultan and the Porte are unusually busy at the present time, being very much occupied and worried over internal affairs, especially the critical condition in Macedonia, and urgent necessity for completing arrangements for unification of debt and making a new loan, but as no action is ever taken by the Turkish Government until the last ditch has been reached, Mr. Leishman can not recommend much further indulgence on this score.
Although there is no doubt that the Ottoman Government is laboring under very heavy pressure at the present time, Mr. Leishman can only add that he is still strongly of the opinion that unless the Government of the United States is prepared to take a strong and determined stand at the palace it would be better to pursue matters quietly but persistently with the Porte, the palace being the only power that could be depended upon to absolutely bring about an immediate settlement.)