The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-06
.CHEKIB BEY At FOOT
OF DIPLOMATIC LIST
Turkish Minister, Without Official
Standing, Goes to Receptions Behind
the New Envoy From Panama

Insertion in the Diplomatic List for
December of the minister from Panama,
after all the ambassadors and ministers,
with the exception Of Chekib Bey. Of
Turkey, who foots the list again. calls
attention TO the embarrassing situa-
ton in which the Sultan's envoy is
placed By the refusal OF the porte 70
send him his letters of credence. The
reason for the attitude of the porte to-
ward IS minister here continues to be
a mystery. alike to the Washington Gov
eminent and the Diplomatic Corps
At the time Chekib Bey arrived in
this country as the successor Of Ali Fer
rouh Bey. he brought with him letters
of credence addressed to President Nc
Kinley. When Chekib Bey reached
VS. siiington in the summer of 1901. Pres
iJent Mckinley was absent from the
city and it was necessary 10 postpone
the State Department presentation IN
I'll tEe fall
IN the meantime. the Buffalo tragedy
occurr ed. Indeed. Chekib Bey was at
the opposition the day the President
confrere in the hall Of music that very
afternoon. and upon arriving there
found the doors were closed. In a short
time he learned the sad news. and went
at once 10 the residence Of John G. Mil
burn to leave his official condolences.
He then cabled to his government the
fact that the President had been assas-
sInated.
The accession Of President Roosevelt
10 the Presidency 1ade il necessary Tor
Chekib Bey 10 have credentials made
out 10 the new President. He. there
fore. sent his original credentials back
to Constantinople Since that time he
has never heard q word from his gov
eminent on the subject He has re-
peatedly written to the authorities of
the Turkish foreign Office explaining
the awkward position in which he is
placed, because he Is here without any
official status. but for some unknown
reason all of his communications have
been ignored
Secretary Hay has always treated
Chekib Bey ysIth the greatest cordial
ity. and both he ID the President have
practically ignored the fact that the en-
voy is without an official standing. II IS
only because of their personal regard
for the minister that the officials OF the
Washington Government have pursued
this course The State Department
would be entirely justified in declining
TO receive the minister or TO pay any at
tention to any communication he might
address them until he had presented his
letter.
Many possible explanations Of the con
duct of the Turkish government have
aeen suggested. but none Of them have
any real foundation. It il pointed out
that the new minister received his orig
inal credentials from a former grand
vizier. who died after Chekib Bey's de-
parture for the Washington mission. and
lne new grand vizfer never has been
friendly TO Chekib Bey. II this were
the case. however. # is contended Che
kib Bey would have been recalled.
In official circles here. another ex-
PLANTATION which has found some ere
dence. Is TO the effect that the Sultan is
anxious 10 show his displeasure at the
action Of the American government in
pushing its claims so vigorously against
the porte. 4 viii be remembered that
70 emphasize our displeasure at the de-
lay Of the Sultan in giving attention "a
the representations OF the American
minister at Constantinople. the latter
was withdrawn. and the legation was
for a considerable period left in the care
Of a charge d'affaires. II this IS the real
explanation Of the mystery diplomats
y
American ships from Beirut which il is
said Will occur IN a short time. may be
followed by the forwarding 70 Chekib
Bey his letters Of credence. thus reliev-
Ing a very embarrassing position.
OF the ministers. none is more popu-
lar than Chchb Bey. and there would be
general satisfaction il the Sultan would
make possible the formal presentation
at the White House OF his present en-
voy. In the diplc. -.atic list Chekib Bey
appears as appointed envoy extraordi-
nary and minister plenipotentiary."
Chekib hey IS naturally averse 20 dis
cussing his unfortunate predicament.
However, TO one OF his Intimate con-
freres. he said the other day;
There is one advantage in my not
having any credentials. always know
my place at receptions and other Of
fetal functions. There IS never any
danger OF my making mistake. I bring
up the rear