File No. 10044/105.
Ambassador Leishman to the Secretary of State.
Constantinople, December 16, 1908.
On the occasion of opening Turkish Parliament to-morrow congratulatory telegrams from European parliaments are being received.
Three fifty English members of Parliament have sent felicitation as coming from the oldest to the youngest of parliamentary bodies, and the president of the Austrian Chamber, on behalf of Austrian deputies, has likewise sent expression of sympathy.
It would be graceful act certain to be appreciated if we could take similar action.
While the English appear to have sent their felicitation through their foreign office and ambassador here, the Austrians have done so directly from their speaker to the president of Turkish Parliament.