Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-13
MATTERS UP TO THE PORTE.
Important Developments in Turkey
Expected Soon.

CoNSTANTINOPLE. Friday. August r.
Minister Leishman today saw Tew6k
Pasha. Turkish minister of foreign affairs.
and renewed the urgent representations of
the American government for an immediate
settlement of the demands regarding the
rights of American citizens in Turkey.
III Is understood important developments
are expected within a few hours. either the
porte giving way OF Minister Ieishmsn
demanding his passports
After the interview with the minister
Iewhk Pasha proceeded Immediately to
the palace.
CONSTANTINOPIE. August 1s-yes-
terdays conference between Minister
Leishman and Izzet Pasha secretary OF
the palace, and Nedjib Melhame assistant
minister of public works-not Selim Pa
sha, minister of mines, as cahIed yester-
day-occurred at Mr.. Leishman's summer
residence at Therapia, and lasted eight
hours. during which Izzet Pasha exchang-
ed communications with the palace. The
fact of sending palace functionary un-
acquainted with the question to discuss
the matter with Mr.. Leishman is typical
OF Turkish methods
The sultan's ignoring of the proper chan
mel. namely, the porte. is much commented
upon as evidently being an attempt to de-
lay settlement. In the course of the
discussion the Turkish delegates attempt
ed to impugn the character of some of the
schools. and contested the American claim
to be granted certain privileges given to
similar French institutions
Mr.. Leishman, however. firmly refused to
consider for a moment any suggestion Of
discrimination. and insisted on full
ceptance of the American list of about ROD
schools, hospitals charitable institutions
and missionary dwellings filed with the
porte eighteen months ago. The American
minister pointed out that the porte had
ample time to verify the list, but that it
had done nothing. and Mr.. Leishman posi-
lively refused to listen to any suggestion
regarding treatment differing from that
accorded to the schools. etc, under the
protection of other powers. The delegates
finally left in order to report to the sultan,
promising n favorable reply.
The protracted conference appears to
have settled one of the matters agreed
upon at the time of the Beirut incident.
but never executed. namely, the payment
to an American citizen of Smyrna the sum
of $4,000. being the value of land on which
Moslem refugees Illegally settled. This
amount will now be paid
The usual attempts were made to induce
Mr.. Leishman to stop the American squad
ron from going to Smyrna by promising
an immediate settlement, but the minister
declined to intervene. and he Is now in
communication with Rear Admiral Jewell
regarding arrangements In the event OF
rupture and the consequent departure of
the minister from ConStantinople.
Likely to Become Complicated.
ST PETERSBURG. August 13-Ths
Bourse Gazette commenting on the rela-
lions between the United States and Tur-
key. expresses the opinion that the situa-
ton Is likely to compicate the already
complicated task OF preserving peace and
quiet In the near east. declaring that this
view is shared by all Thoughtful people In
Russia. The paper also alleges that the
Armenians naturalized In the United States.
for whom the United States government
seeks greater privileges. constitute an ex-
tremely faithless element In Turkey. thus
the porte.