File No. 367.11/152.
The American Ambassador to
the Secretary of State.
No. 494.
American Embassy,
Constantinople,
June 6, 1913.
Sir: Referring to my despatch No. 481 of April
29, 1913, on the subject of requisitions for war purposes, I have the
honor to enclose herewith a copy and translation of an identic note
verbale sent by the diplomatic missions to the Sublime Porte in reply to
its circular note verbale of April 23, 1913 [Inclosure 4 with despatch
No. 481], copy of which was transmitted to the Department in my
above-mentioned despatch.
I have [etc.]
[Inclosure—Identic note verbale.]
The American Embassy to
the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
American Embassy,
Constantinople,
June 6, 1913.
The Embassy of the United States of America has the honor to
acknowledge the receipt of the circular note verbale of April 23
last, addressed to it by the Imperial Ministry on the subject of the
requisition for war purposes of horses and vehicles belonging to
foreign subjects.
This Embassy regrets that by reason of experience acquired in this
connection it is unable to accept the conclusions of the Sublime
Porte in regard to this question and states that it must hold to the
reservations and arguments brought forward in its identic notes
verbales of the 25th of January [Inclosure 1 with despatch No. 347]
and the 22nd of February last [Inclosure with despatch No. 429]. The
urgent character of these operations which the Sublime Porte evokes
cannot in any way diminish the necessity of recourse to consular
assistance.
Finally, the Embassy of the United States of America begs to point
out that its above-mentioned note of February 22, has in view not
only the requisition of horses and vehicles but every other sort of
requisition.