Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-08-15
And Grants the Demands
Made by America.
The Most Important Was That
of the School Question.
Turkey, With Proper Persuasion, Not
Only Comedies Points Asked but
Grants All the Other Questions Re-
Gently Under Discussion Between Us.

satisfactory solution of the American
school question has been arrived at.
This matter, which is the most import-
ant Of the American demands, was set
tied by extending to American schools
the same treatment as that accorded 10
schools under the protection of other
powers.
A settlement of other matters arf.ct
ing American interests in Turkey OF
secondary importance has also been at
fected and Minister Leishman has tel
egraphed to Rear Admiral Jewel in
command of the United States SQUADRON
sent to Smyrna, instructing him "a sa-
lutte the batteries on land and depart
The sitting Of the council Of ministers
at which the settlement was agr.nl up
on was Il long one and it was not until
near its close that an agreement was
reached. The delay in the SETTLEMENT
is believed to have been caused by the
Intervention of the palace functionaries,
whose policy, in order to retain the Sui
tan's favor, consists of conha ting the
ri:hts and privileges of foreign SUBJ
jcctS.
Washington. Aug. 1.-THE Associat-
cd Press has received from a prominent
Off, i'll Of the state department the fol-
lowing statement pending negotiations
with Turkey and steps taken towards
their adjustment:
For many years the treatmen of
American educational establishments in
TIE Ottoman empire has been very TN
satisfactory. while similar schools I'M
e." the direction of other foreigners
49,, h"en accorded the regular license
Of imperial firman upon application
l..,.. ,.fu",e applications on behalf of
the, schools; under American control
:n',. proceeded unnoticed. Difficulties
~ distractions have constantly been
',.t IN the way of the American teach
"i% in marked contrast to the favor
"i,nNn the schools of other rationale
ties and in COntraVcntiOn of the rights
o. American citizens i'm Turkey to the
most favored treatment accorded to
the citizens, or subjects of other states.
This discrimination was especially no
tioeahle with regard to the Protestant
Medical College at Beirut. in the mat
ter OF examinations ana the right of
graduates to exercise their profession.
for the American school the same
privileges accorded the French medical
school at Beirut.
The earnest efforts of the American
minister at Constantinople to secure
for our schools and teachers the simple
equality of treatment to which they are
entitled, having met with cvasive and
dilatory treatment by the sublime
Porte and no progress having been
made toward 4 better understanding,
the President took the matter in hand.
and, Feb. 2, 1903. cabled to Minister
I.eishman, directing him to ask an au-
dicnce of the Sultan in order to deliver
to him n personal message from the
President of good will and assurances
of his hearty desire to cultivate and
maintain the most cordial relations or
friendship. and to bring to the personal
and direct attention of His Majesty the
embarrassments and grievances under
which this government and It's citizens
Labor. with expression OF the Iresi-
dents knowledge that the treatment
of the most favored nation would be
received and TIE claim Of our colleges
and schools to equal treaty rights
would be promptly recognized.
Mr. Leishman's request 70: an audi
ence was met With much evasion and
delay.
In the summon Of 1908 the report of
the attempted assassination of the
American vice consul ut i'eirut led to
the visit of the American Mediterra-
mean squadroa to that port to investi-
gate the circumstances. The immedi-
ate object having been accomplished,
the squadron withdrew, the last OF
January. 1904.
In the meantime Mr.. Leishman's en-
deavors to advance Il settlement of the
general questions at issue were UNI
awaiting, the Porte being apparently
unwilling to meet the Presidents re-
quest during the presence of the Amer
lean fleet in Turkish waters.
The audience was at last accorded.
July %, 1904. His Majesty promised
immediate consideration of the subject
and fixed Saturday, Aug. ?, as the time
when definite response would be given
to Mr.. I.eishman by His Majesty. The
date then fixed was postponed to Thurs
day, but on Thursday, Mr.. Leishman
telegraphed that the promised reply
had not been received.
Thereuron the President directed that
the Mediterranean squadron then at
Nillefranche, near Nice, should pro-
coed to Smyrna in order that if the
Sultans reply should still be with
held. or he given and prove unfavOra-
bic. the minister might receive on board
with the courtesy due his high office
and conveyed to some convenient place;
while Mr.. LeiShman was instructed to
press again for an immediate answer,
failing which he was to depart with in
definite leave of absence and repair on
board on the flagship.
The fleet which was expected to arrive
ut Smyrna on the morning of Thursday.
the llth, did not reach port until the Eth.
On Thursday afternoon, however. the Sui
tan sent one of his private secretaries to
sec Mr.. I.eishman and submit the reply
OF HIS Majesty. giving assurance that no
discrimination shall he made between
American schools ard those of other ma
tionaiities. and incidentally Offering an in
demnlty in the amount claimed. "e'
POUNDS Turkish m American ritIZt n,