Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 3, 1907, (In two parts), Part II

File No. 189/8–10.

The Acting Secretary of State to Ambassador Leishman.

Department of State,
Washington, July 2, 1907.

No. 227.]

Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch No. 298, of the 12th ultimo, transmitting a petition of American residents of Smyrna that you demand the suppression of brigandage in Turkey, and inclosing a copy of your note on the subject to the Sublime Porte.

Your action in the matter is approved by the department. It is desirable, where ground may exist for apprehending acts of brigandage against American citizens or property, to emphasize in advance the duty and responsibility of the Turkish Government to use its police authority to prevent such acts. By so doing sound basis is laid for claiming due redress if proper protection be not afforded.

I am, etc.,

Robert Bacon.