Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay.
Constantinople , September 10, 1903.
Sir: As advised by wire I made the demand yesterday morning that the governor of Beirut be dismissed on the ground that it was deemed impossible to secure proper security for life and property of American citizens under his administration, and this evening the local journals publish articles announcing his dismissal.
The official organ merely announces the fact that Nazim Pasha, governor-general of Damascus, has temporarily taken over the administration at Beirut, but this is no doubt done with a view of preventing their own people as far as possible from learning that the old governor was dismissed through foreign interference.
The article referred to in the local papers can be regarded as semiofficial, as everyone here understands that articles referring to Government matters are always inspired, as otherwise no journal would venture to make any observations, as the press censorship is very close and rigid; and, besides, the minister for foreign affairs has confirmed the dismissal.
Nazim Pasha, the new governor, is reputed to be a very capable man, and is the one that our people at Beirut desire, and, in fact, the great majority of the native population as well as the foreign elment desire his permanent appointment. From all reports he is an intelligent and well-educated man.
His promises to our consul to institute reforms and reorganize the police force indicate very plainly the necessity of changing the old governor, and I know that he has already reported the bad condition [Page 781] of the city to headquarters and that the Porte was very much surprised to find that they had been so badly deceived and so badly informed, and I am sure that there is a secret rejoicing at the Porte over the dismissal of one whom everyone now recognizes as a very bad governor.
The President’s action in this case will increase American prestige generally and particularly in the Beirut district, where we have a great many citizens and large educational interests, and my colleagues are rejoicing over the dismissal of a man that they have been endeavoring for months to have removed.
I am quietly but firmly pressing the minister for foreign affairs to adjust our school and other matters, and I think he is at last alive to the situation and is doing his best to settle the different questions without further delay.
I have, etc.,