Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay.

[Telegram.—Paraphrase.]

(Mr. Leishman states that the firm stand taken by the Department will undoubtedly have good effect. * * * The policy of the [Page 780] Sublime Porte from the beginning has been to make light of the visit of the United States squadron, and Mr. Leishman is strongly of the opinion that it would be a mistake to permit the squadron to depart before pending questions are settled and the demand for the removal of the governor at Beirut complied with.

Mr. Leishman states that if the Turkish Government finds the presence of the United States fleet objectionable they know an easy way of getting rid of it, and the more objectionable it proves the quicker they are likely to comply with the demands made of them.

* * * * * * *

Mr. Leishman states that the Sublime Porte has been using every effort to create the impression that the troubles in Beirut are the result of the presence of the squadron instead of being merely the culmination of what has been going on for months.)