Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay.
Constantinople, September 21, 1903.
Sir: I am very sorry to report that very slow progress is being made in the matter of settlement of the different claims, despite the apparent desire of the minister for foreign affairs to arrive at a speedy adjustment.
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The minister for foreign affairs appears to be in earnest, and, despite present troubles, shows the most friendly spirit, so much so that I ventured to again request him to reconsider the decision made by his Government last December against being represented officially at the St. Louis Exposition.
This he decided to do, and promised me that he would arrange to have an Imperial commission appointed (probably the Turkish minister [Page 760] at Washington), and I have arranged a meeting for Mr. Cridler, who is now here, in order that he may be able to take the matter up in detail, and I can only rest in the hope that the minister for foreign affairs will be able to put this promise into execution.
I have, etc.,