Mr. Leishman to Mr.
Hay.
American Legation,
Constantinople, August 15,
1904.
No. 870.]
Sir; I have the honor to inclose herewith copy
of correspondence betwen the Sublime Porte and the legation concerning
adjustment of pending questions.
Upon the receipt of the Department’s telegram I called again upon the
minister for foreign affairs and finding that it would be impossible to
secure the desired change in the wording of the Sublime Porte’s
communication of the 12th * * * to bring matters to a close I accepted
the verbal assurance that American institutions would be treated in the
same manner as the French and other foreign institutions.
Upon the receipt of the Department’s telegram I called again upon the
minister for foreign affairs, and finding that it would be impossible to
secure the desired change in the wording of the Sublime Porte’s
communication of the 12th, * * * to bring matters to a close, I accepted
the verbal assurance that American institutions would be treated in the
same manner as the French and other foreign institutions.
* * * * * * *
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure
1.—Translation.]
Tewfik Pasha to
Mr. Leishman.
Sublime Porte, Ministry for Foreign
Affairs,
August 12,
1904.
Mr. Minister: I have taken cognizance of
the several communications which your excellency has done me the
honor to address to me concerning American institutions in Turkey,
the raising of the respective legations to the rank of embassy, and
the property of Mrs. Lane in Smyrna.
In reply, I can assure your excellency that seeing the cordial
relations which so happily exist between the two Governments, it has
never entered into the intention of the Imperial Government to treat
on a different basis the schools, the institutions, and the citizens
of the United States in the Empire.
Thus, for those of these establishments of which the legal existence
is not recognized, the competent department will, as soon as it is
asked to, accomplish
[Page 829]
the
necessary formalities in conformity with the conditions and
provisions of the regulations in force.
As to the elevation of the two legations to the rank of embassies,
the amicable desire expressed on this subject by His Excellency the
President of the United States corresponds entirely with the
feelings of His Imperial Majesty the Sultan, but on account of
budgetary considerations it is preferable to postpone this question
until a more opportune moment.
As to Mrs. Lane’s farm, its price, i. e., 5,000 Turkish pounds will
be paid by the Imperial Ottoman Bank as soon as the transfer is made
in the name of the Imperial Government.
Please accept, etc.,
[Inclosure
2.—Translation.]
Mr. Leishman to
Tewfik Pasha.
American Legation,
Constantinople, August 12, 1904.
Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of the note which your excellency had the kindness to
address to me to-day concerning certain questions that have been the
subject of discussion for some time past between the Sublime Porte
and this legation.
As regards the question of equality of treatment of American citizens
and American institutions in Turkey, am I to understand from your
excellency’s note that the terms and conditions of the settlement
effected by the French Government in November, 1901, apply in their
entirety to American institutions? If so, all the American
institutions mentioned in the list which was transmitted by this
legation to the Imperial Ottoman Government in February, 1903, come
naturally under the category of institutions of which the legal
existence is recognized, and enjoy the same rights, privileges, and
immunities as those embraced in the above-mentioned settlement. I
take notice of what your excellency says in regard to the question
of embassy and am happy to learn that the amicable desire expressed
on the subject by the President of the United States corresponds
entirely with the feelings of His Imperial Majesty the Sultan.
With regard to Mrs. Lane’s matter it remains for me to express my
sincere thanks for the settlement.
With the hope that your excellency will let me have the reply to the
above inquiries as soon, as possible, I take occasion, etc.,
[Inclosure
3.—Translation.]
Mr. Leishman to
Tewfik Pasha.
American Legation,
Constantinople, August 13, 1904.
Your Excellency: Referring further to my
note of last evening, in view of the several assurances given me
since then that the agreement regarding equality of treatment for
American religious, educational, and charitable institutions in
Turkey will be immediately put into effect, and that the treatment
accorded will be on a basis not less favorable than that accorded to
French and other European nations, I beg to inform your excellency
that in order to facilitate matters and to prove my sincere desire
to maintain and continue the amicable relations so long and happily
existing between our two Governments I have assumed the
responsibility of inviting the admiral to leave Smyrna after
exchanging usual courtesies. In acting thus I rely upon the good
faith of His Imperial Majesty’s Government to see that the
engagements which it has undertaken are at once fulfilled.
I take, etc.,
