Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 8, 1908

File No. 10044/117.

Ambassador Leishman to the Secretary of State.

American Embassy,
Constantinople, December 17, 1908.

No. 846.]

Sir: I have the honor to inform you of the opening of the Turkish Parliament to-day by the Sultan in person, in the presence of the diplomatic body No incidents of consequence occurred, perhaps the most remarkable feature being the absence of general enthusiasm caused by His Majesty’s personal appearance either in parliament itself or in the crowded streets through which he drove on his way there.

The representatives all took the oath of fidelity to the constitution and to the Sultan, so long as he respected the constitution.

I have, etc.,

J. G. A. Leishman.