File No. 4690.

Ambassador Leishman to the Secretary of State.

[Telegram.—Paraphrase.—Extract.]

(Refers to previous correspondence regarding the present status of questions pending with Turkey, their importance being due to their involving the principle of equality of treatment guaranteed by treaty. States that the rights of the United States were plainly admitted in 1904, but their practical execution had been withdrawn, and that the embassy consequently prepared certain test cases and, after almost three years, succeeded in having the Porte act favorably thereon. Says that he had an audience with the Sultan on February 22, and explained that the United States sought only for equality of treatment, and that the Sultan promised a definite reply on February 24, which has not been received by the embassy. Adds that he will seek another audience. Desires department to telegraph if it approves ambassador continuing his very conservative course.)