The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-15
AMERICANS WANT EQUAL PROTECTION Ottoman Empire Continually Ig- nored the Applications DISCRIMINATION IS UNJUST French Medical School at Beirut Was Given Much More Freedom Than
 That Under American
 Sanction.
DISCRIMINATION IS UNJUST

Washington, August 14.-The Associated Press has received from a prominent of- fcial of the state department, a state- mont of pending questions with Turkey and the steps taken toward their adjust aient.
 For many years the treatment of edu- cational establishments in the Ottoman empire founded and conducted by Ameri- can citizens has been very unsatisfactory. While similar schools under the direction of other foreigners have been recognized as existing and have been accorded the regular license of imperial sanction up- on application on behalf of the schools under American control have passed unno- ticed.
 Temporary permits obtained from tho local authorities have been hedged in with restrictions and have not infrequent- ly been ignored by the Turkish govern ment. Difficulties and obtsructions have constantly been put in the way of the American teachers, in marked contrast to the favor shown the schools of other nationalities and in contravention of the rights of American citizens Tn Turkey to the most favored treatment accorded to the citizens or subjects of other states.
 As to Medical Colleges.
 This discrimination was especially no- ticeable with regard to the Protestant medical college at Beirut in the matter of examinations and the right of grad uates to exercise their professions. The American government claimed for the American school the same privilege ac- corded the French medical school at Bel rut. No such material dif,erence was seen In the schools as to warrant the discrim- nation practiced the difference being chiefly in the system of government of France and the United States. ''rhe Protestant medical college holding equal authorization here and having the supervision of the state officer from which 1t derives It's character was en- titled to be regarded as a national insti- tuition as much as a French school.
 'The earnest efforts of the American minister at Constantinople have been to secure for our schools and teachers the simple equality of treatment to which they are entitled"
 President Takes Hand.
 Having met with evasive and dlatory treatment by the sublime porte and no progress having been made toward a better understanding the President took ta.e matter in hand and on February 3, 1908, cabled to Minister Leishman direct Ing him to ask an audience of the sultan in order to deliver to him a personal mes- sage from the President of the good will and assurance of his hearty desire to cultivate and maintain the most cordial relations of friendship and to bring to the personal and direct attention of his ma Jesty the endorsements and grievances under which this government and its citizens labor with expression of the Presidents desire and expectation that the treatment of the most favored na- ton would be received and the claim of our colleges and schools to equal treaty rights would be promptly recognized.
 Much Evasion and Delay.
 MT. Leishmans request for an audi ence was met with much evasion and de- lay. Two months passed fin the course of which one of the grounds of complaint was removed by the issuance of an trade for the examination of the students at the medical school at Beirut. If was not until April that MT. Leishman was en- abled to deliver the Presidents message in person in audience with the sultan. His majesty was pleased to promise to immediately consider the requests therein conveyed. No progress whatever was made during the next four months toward the settlement of the questions at issue and the Presidents message still remain ed unanswered notwithstanding MT. Leishmans repeated and urgent represen- tations.
 Tn the summer of 1903, the report of the attempted assassination of the American vice consul at Beirut led to the visit of the American Mediterranean squadron to that port to investigate the circum- stances. It's presence was opportune. The notorious insecurity of foreign life and property at Beirut was remedied by the removal of the local governor and the substitution of more energetic and friendly officer in his place. The ob- ject having been accomplished the squad ron withdrew the last of January, 1904.
 'In the meantime Mir. Leishman's en- deavors to advance a settlement of the general questions at issue were unavail- Ing, the porte being apparently unwilling to meet the Presidents requests during the presence of the American fleet in Turkish waters. It's withdrawal, how ever, did not hasten matters. Again and again Minister Lelshman pressed for a favorable answer to the Presidents mes sage and as often was met by evasive and vague replies. His requests for an au- dience passed unheeded.
 Was Sorely Tried.
 'In a matter like this concerning the friendly intercourse of two equal nations through their executive heads, the Pres ident was sorely tried. As the interests involved were not personal, but national the procrastination of the Ottoman gov ernment shows an aspect little short of international indignity to the American nation 1t became an imperative duty to bring this phase of the matter to q speedy close and peremptory orders were gvien to Minister Lelshman to demand an audi ence of the sultan and ask for response to the Presidents message of February 2, 1904.
 'sThe audience was at last accorded on July 20, 1904, his majesty promised im- medlte consideration of the subject and fixed Tuesday. August 2. as the time when a definite response would be given to MT Leishman by his majesty The date then fixed was postponed to Thursday, but on Thursday MT Leishman tele-
 
 fConfinued on Second Pauel