File No. 367.11/131.
The American Ambassador to
the Secretary of State.
No. 429.]
American Embassy,
Constantinople
,
February 24, 1913
.
Sir: Referring to the Embassy’s despatch No.
374 of the 31st ultimo, in regard to requisitions made by the Ottoman
authorities for war purposes, I have the honor to enclose herewith a
copy, with translation, of a note verbale identique on this subject sent
recently to the Sublime Porte by the diplomatic missions in this
city.
I have [etc.]
[Page 1342]
[Inclosure—Identic note verbale.]
The American Embassy to
the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
American Embassy,
Constantinople
,
February 22, 1913.
The Embassy of the United States of America regrets being unable to
agree with the point of view expressed by the Imperial Ministry in
its note verbale dated January 30 last, on the subject of the
requisition for war purposes of horses and vehicles belonging to
foreign subjects.
The principal object of the communications which the Embassy has had
the honor to address to the Imperial Ministry on the question was to
assure in these proceedings, in so far as they concern its nationals
and under the reserves formulated, the guaranties of a general sort
established by the treaties and by custom.
Every sort of requisition, as well as the appraisement for the
purpose of offering the interested party a fair compensation, can
therefore take place only with the presence of a consular
delegate.
It naturally remains understood that the payment for objects
requisitioned should be arranged at the very time of the
requisition, either in money or by draft accepted by the Imperial
Ottoman Bank.
