New-York tribune., 1907-06-22
Mr.. LEISHMAN SUCCEEDS
Porte Settles Last Remaining QueS-
tiOn zcith United States.

Constantnople. June H.-The Porte has addressed
a communication to the American Embassy here,
giving satisfaction in the OF the last outstand
ing question between the embassy and the Porte.
and thus removing the final obstacle in the way
of Americas adhesion to the 9 per cent customs
increase. Ambassador Leshman visited the Porte
yesterday. after two months abstention, and to-
day he attended the Seiamlik and received in
audience by the Sultan. Mr.. Leshman's treatment
OF the negotiations has resulted in an absolutely
clean slate regarding affairs between the United
States government and the Porte. Mr.. Leishman
Informed the Porte Of the adhesion Of the United
States TO the increase in customs.
Washington, June disqualification was expressed
at the State Department at the news from Con-
stantnople that Ambassador Leishman had at last
succeeded in settling the question between the
embassy and the Porte which remained of six open
issues. This has been work OF years, and al
though negotiations were begun for the settlement
or these questions many years ago, not one OF
them finally closed until Ambassador Leish-
undertook to adjust them. AS incident it
became necessary Tor Congress to raise the Ameri-
can legation at ConstantnOple to the rank Of N
embassy for otherwise IT would have been impos-
sble for Mr.. Leshman TO break through the red
tape of the Porte and obtain audience with the
Sultan When this accomplished the was
easy The settlement Of all the six questions has
been effected since the American Minister became
ambassador.
The first question related to change in tenure Of
title deeds TO American institutions. This was OF
great Importance to the American colleges in Tur-
key, which otherwise must have suffered the loss
of most of their real estate and buildings
Second permission 10 erect buildings Cie-
sarea. This also incident of Importance to
American educational institutions with Turkish
offshoots.
Third was the grant of customs immunity at
Beirut. All the American Presbyterian missions I'm
Syria deeply interested in the settlement Of
this question, for they laboring under great
discrimination in favor Of foreign religious de-
nominational institutions
Fourth was the removal of the discriminatory re-
strictions against the Importation of American
cottonseed oil. This growing industry serious
ly threatened by the covert opposition Of the
olive growers of European countries, which
perceived that American cottoDseed oil had found
favor with the Turks article of food.
Fifth was the recognition of the American
sular courts as alone competent to decide who
were the legal heirs of American citizens This
was important to the large class of American
travellers in Turkey otherwise their effects
might under the common law of the country in
case of their death, have been absorbed by the
government Of the country.
The sixth and last question settled was an indi-
vidual case but was still OF interest to the State
Department as involving a principle. 1t that of
can nationality who had established a school for
orphan girls at Konia. The charity was not popu-
lar among the older religious establishments but
the State Department satisfied itself through Mr.
Ileishman of its absolute merit and, at his sug-
gestlon, authorized a strong presentation or the
case. To-day's dispatch records the fact that this
move has succeeded and that the school. which
was arbitrarily closed by local rulers. has been
authorized to reopen. Altogether, the State De-
partment is satisfied with the outcome OF these ne
gotiauons.