File No. 367.114M69/156.
[Untitled]
No. 45.]
American Consulate General,
Smyrna,
July 9, 1912.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose copy of a
despatch which I am this day sending to the Ambassador at
Constantinople, which is self-explanatory.
I have [etc.]
[Inclosure.]
The American Consul General at
Smyrna to the American
Ambassador.
No. 45.]
American Consulate General,
Smyrna,
July 9, 1912.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that
yesterday the captain of the Texas was taken
to the penal-court at the Konak and his trial, in connection with
the sinking of the vessel, begun, as telegraphed to you this
morning. He was taken through the streets in company with about
twenty others, also under indictment, himself handcuffed to another
man. In accordance with my instructions, he replied to the court
that he did not recognize their jurisdiction as he was, at the time
when the catastrophe occurred, captain of a vessel flying the
American flag.
After a few questions had been asked him, and other witnesses
examined, the trial was adjourned to the 30th July next.
The whole conduct of the Turkish authorities in this case convince me
that they are merely feeling their way. They cannot but recognize
that they have no jurisdiction in the premises, and they are
proceeding slowly to see how far the Americans will let them go.
They first left him in the hospital for a long time before removing
him to prison. Next, they have commenced a trial and have postponed
it for three weeks, again feeling their way. The situation and the
question of jurisdiction are thoroughly understood by the more
intelligent portion of the community here, and our helplessness in
the matter seriously compromises our prestige to an extent which
probably cannot be realized either at Washington or at
Constantinople. The facts that the vessel never should have been
allowed to fly the flag and that the captain is a Greek has no
bearing on the question at issue, which is one of law and
prestige.
I have [etc.]
