The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-05

order to take part In the International
Congress of Geographers sitting there,
with an assurance from the powers that
be in Constantinople that upon my re-
turn to the city after the termination
Of the congress the railroad convention
as per plan submitted, would be ready
for my signature. was expected also
to confer with the head of the syndicate
in Paris regarding the extensive pro-
gramme laid out for the company by
the Ottoman Government. But on the
very day that l left Constantinople for
the west reports were received of the
breaking out OF bloodless revolution
in Turkey that was TO place the Empire
upon constitutional basis; Abdul
Hamid was shorn of his power to grant
concessions and finally deposed from his
high estate as Sultan. Thus the con-
yention did not materialiZe and Abdul
Hamd never had anything TO do with
the Chester project as IL stands to-day.
The entire negotiations for the franchise
took place under the regime of the
Young Turks. the leaders of which were
Ottoman subjects, the most of whom
were born and brought up in France
and England and familiar with Occiden-
tai methods.
After the constitution had become the
prime law Of the land concession seekers
from almost all parts of Europe flocked
to the old Byzantine capital to secure
control Of the industries in the Empire
and strong competition between the riva!
concerns interested in Turkey at once
set in My reports TO the American
syndicate seemed to appeal to its MEM
berg and Mr. Arthur Chester, formerly
can officer of the United States Navy
,was sent to Constantinople to push the
ole ipoc al a 10
construct railroads to Syria. Later Mr..
j. s. Colt a railroad man of prominence,
was also assigned to the commission I'm
Constantinople, and after two years eX-
plorations in Asia Minor and Syria. at
a very considerable expense. working
against bitter opposition on the part of
the Bagdad Railway company, strongly
supported by Baron Won Biebenstine, the
German Amba ssador TO the Porte. the
company came to an agreement with the
Ottoman Government concerning the
project to build railroads in Asia Minor.
Ambassador Congratulated.
The convention was sent TO Parliament
for confirmation in June, 1911, upon the
insistent demand of the leaders in the
national legislature. where the Americans
were especially strong in the popular
mind. and there was but little doubt that
the contract would be approved.
Only three days were left, however. to
consider the matter of a protracted ses
sion. and it was deemed best to let the
bill 90 over for the action of the next
session of Parliament, beginning in No
vember. After the passage of a law
placing the convention, the first matter
to be taken up by the new Parliament
was this. While arrangements were be-
ing made in New York TO carry out the
contract war between Italy and Turkey
broke out Gin September, 1910 and
further action regarding the taking over
of the concession was deferred until war
should come to an end and the Ottoman
Government was so notified.
After the convention was submitted to
Parliament every Government in Europe.
through the chancelleries in CONSTANT
nople. recognized the successful termina-
ton of the contest by sending congratu-
lations to the American Ambassador in
Constantinople for his diplomatic efforts
in securing the concession, and Sir Bah