Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 6, 1904

Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay.

American Legation,
Constantinople, October 13, 1904.

No. 914.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose in further reference to my dispatch No. 902, of September 29, 1904, copy of dispatch received from the American consul at Smyrna stating that Stelio E. Pappadimitriou obtained his naturalization papers after four years and nine months partial residence in America.

I have, etc.,

John G. A. Leishman.

[Inclosure.]

Mr. Lane to Mr. Leishman.

American Consulate,
Smyrna, October 4, 1904.

Sir: I have to acknowledge receipt of legation dispatch dated the 29th ultimo concerning Stelio E. Pappadimitriou, and replying thereto I have to say that I evidently omitted to state in my No. 218 to the Department of State on this subject that Pappadimitriou claims to have been in America when he made his application for passport in June last. However, the slip had good results, for I interrogated him again about the dates of his several trips to America and brought out a discrepancy in his dates of arrival and departure, showing that he was three months short of five years’ residence in applying for his citizenship papers.

He further betrayed the fact that he had been absent from the United States for very considerable periods during the time that he was supposed to be continuously residing in America.

He evidently was frightened at my cross-examination and let out more than he intended. After contradicting himself several times I told him to be careful to state the truth, as he might be required to testify on oath. He then gave me the following statement concerning the dates of arrival and departure to and from New York:

Arrival at New York:	Departure from New York:
October, 1897.	November, 1897.
July, 1898.	December, 1900.
June, 1902.	July 4, 1902.
May, 1904.	July 20, 1904.

His excuse for the long absences after his declaration of intention to become a citizen is that he was sent abroad as the agent of the Harbison-Walker Company, of Pittsburg, Pa. (this I believe is true, as he has on file at this consulate since September, 1901, a power of attorney from the Harbison-Walker Company).

On the strength of these statements I have taken up Stelio E. Pappadimitriou’s papers, which consist of a certificate of naturalization and two passports, the first having been issued at London by Ambassador Choate in July, 1902, and the second issued at Washington by Secretary of State Hay on July 16, 1904. The certificate of naturalization is issued by a district court of the United States, southern district of New York, on July 1, 1902.

I am, etc.,

Rufus W. Lane.