The Acting Secretary of State to Chargé Jay.
Washington, June 9, 1906.
Sir: I inclose herewith the translation of a note from the Turkish minister stating that letters of attorney can be drawn up and authenticated in the Ottoman Empire only by the courts of the “shéri” and [Page 1407] by notaries; but that, notwithstanding, some ecclesiastical authorities, transgressing their powers, have been issuing such letters; in view of which he requests that the department “address to the proper quarter the necessary communications, in order that all instruments of that character unlawfully issued shall not be accepted by the American authorities, if ever presented to them.”
I should be pleased to have an expression of your views as to the necessity for the propriety of the action requested by the Turkish representative at Washington.
I am, etc.,