Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-23
FOR FAIR TREATMENT
Minister Leishman's Negotia-
lions With Turkey.
A YEAR OF WAITING
CORRESPONDENCE TELLS STORY
OF PATIENT ENDEAvoR.
Opposition to Discrimination Against
American Interests and
Institutions.
A YEAR OF WAITING

In view of the fact that this government
lust now is pressing with vigor its demands
upon Turkey that the same privileges De
accorded to American institutions in Iur-
key as are granted those of other countries
and the determination that determinations
against Americans and American Interests
in the Turkish empire shall cease, the Tur-
kish series of diplomatic correspondence
contained in the forthcoming current vol
ume of foreign relations is of timely In
terest.
1t discloses the persistence with which
Mr.. Leshman. United States minister to
Turkey has labored TO secure an adjust
ment OF the troublesome problems which
have been presented. and the extreme diff
culties he has encountered in his efforts 10
negotiate with the sultan.
In the original instructions sent him by
the State Department directing him TO
bring to the attention of the sultan the
en- barrassments to American educational
and religious institutions with view TO
the removal of the causes. Mr.. Lelshman
was informed that the President was deeply
In earnest In the matter, and while Mr.
Lelshman was to approach the sultan In
the spirit of utmost friendship, he was ex-
pected to impress upon him the nXed de-
sire and expectation of the President that
the United States and It's citizens be treated
on the same terms the most favored
nation.
In one of his communications to the
State Department Mr.. Leishman expressed
the belief that the ottoman government
was gradually awakening to the fact that
this is a great and powerful country-slow
to take offense. but quite capable of en-
forcing its just demands. Mr.. LeiShmans
first troubles resulted from his efforts TO
secure IA personal audience with the sultan,
which he had been directed to demand.
The acuteness of the Turkish situation
c.Yn Of hn 4
clearly shown by the correspondence.
In June, 1909. Secretary Hay wrote to
United States Minister LeiShman in part
follows:
Secretary Hays Instructions.
Il regret especially to note that the
school question still remains unadjusted
and that the government Is postponing
friendly settlement until reports are re-
Ceived which may be indefinitely de-
layed.
"You will recall that on February last
/ sent you an Urgent telegraphic instruc
ton to communicate a personal message
from the President to the sultan on this
subject, In which demand was made that
American citizens and institutions should
be granted the same privileges given to
France in November, 1901 and later con-
coded to Russia, Germany and other ma
lions. The object of this somewhat unu-
sual method of communication to i'm
press the Turkish government with the
deep interest which the President felt in
this question. in the confident expectati ton
that IT would bring about an early acqui-
eScence In the reasonable demand made
by him. Much of the force of the mes
sage was lost by the delays interposed
by the porte in its delivery and the con-
ditons attached to the manner of its pre-
Sentaton. 1t Is possible also that the pre-
sentat ton of number of other matters
at the same audience may have detracted
somewhat from the special Importance
which the President sought to attach to 1t.
The conduct of the negotiations on the
subject has been left to your discretion
1t may be that 1t would have been wiser
TO have followed the course which at first
occurred to you of securing a definite &C
acknowledgement OF the principle of equal
treatment. as indicated in your dispatch
No. 80, of March last: but having Sc
lected the other method Of filing list of
the Institutions and schools, the Turkish
government should not be allowed, II pos
sible to prevent 1t. to make that pretext
for delay. l cannot add anything to the
language of the telegraphic instruction of
February to express the interest felt by
our government In the early settlement of
the matter. / may state, however, that the
President was surprised at the manner in
which his message was delayed and the
little influence 1t seems thus far to have
had. and he relies upon your earnestness
and sound discretion in bringing this long
tending question to an early and satisfac-
tory conclusion.
Minister Leishman Reports.
Minister Leishman wrote to Secretary
Hay. under date of June 49, 1903, as fol-
lows:
Sir: 1 beg to inclose herewith copy Of
two notes which l have found necessary to
address to the sublime porte respecting the
school and other matters. for which the le-
CATION has been pressing for settlement for
some time past.
There is not the slightest indication Of
an antagonistic feeling existing against
putting these matters into execution either
upon the part of the palace or the porte,
and If the numerous promises and state
mentS can be relied upon the different mat
ters will be favorably acted upon as soon
as the strained and congested state of af-
fairs will permit
The difficulties experienced by the lega-
tton of late In securing action upon even
the most trifling and unimportant matter
shared alike by all the foreign mis-
sions. and the fact that the unsettled bust
ness at present in the hands of the lega-
ton Is not of n serious or necessarily ur-
gent character only renders II more diff
cult to obtain a settlement, as practically
everything must be submitted to the sui
tan. who is. In consequence of the present
system, greatly overworked. and very nat
urally finds himself unable to consider any
thing except matters of the greatest i'm
portance to his imperial majesty.
while good foundation exists for a gen.
pose that the American government is suf-
fering from any particular discrimination
as the European powers are experiencing
an equal amount of trouble. mitigated to
some extent by their ability to bring the
cases 10 the personal attention of his i'm
perial majesty.
II am In hopes that the action which 1
have now taken may result in forcing a
settlement OF number OF the pending
cases within the next few weeks. but II
not will have 10 ask the department for
further Instructions. as l consider that
have gone as far as my ordinary instruc-
lions will permit"
Pretty Close to a Threat.
In n telegram. dated October -. Minister
Ieishman states that as even the conges:ed
state OF affairs and the existing political
complications have ceased to furnish suf-
ficent excuse for the prolonged delay in
settling the pending questions. he has some
what strained his instructions and has ven
tured pretty close to a threat that unless
the matters are settled without further
delay something disagreeable may happen.
The Sultan's Delusion.
In a telegram dated November 10. Mr..
Ielshman states that IS the Mohammedan
lent commences on November 20 and lasts
thirty days. during which period all busi-
l.. fysal