cedent set by the visit to Aintab. There was none, and the statement was distinctly made by the foreign minister that he would agree in advance that my secretary of legation should always be present in all proceedings against native teachers. In a government where even judicial proceedings are often conducted in secret, a mere protest against capricious imprisonment would be made with no knowledge of facts on which to base my assumption that it was capricious. The advantage gained in the Aintab College incident consists in establishing a precedent which, if adhered to, saves the American colleges and schools in Turkey, much the larger portion of which are taught by native teachers whose places can not be supplied. The opinion is quite general that Turkey will resort to every legal means to impair the efficiency of missionary schools, and to deprive them of native teachers would be the most effective boycott. The missionaries assert that they have over a million of money invested here in college and school buildings. The policy that has induced these good men to push their enterprise in education so far that they are dependent on Turkish subjects to teach may well be questioned. I have before referred to it as a fruitful source of future trouble. The only available method of protecting them now is the one I have adopted. It has been conceded without straining relations, and it would be a pity to yield my vantage ground so patiently labored for. I have not demanded anything. I have reasoned and insisted, however, with success. Another case is not likely to arise soon, and yet I deem it prudent to request that you telegraph me "protest only against unreasonable and capricious arrests," if you think I should insist on nothing more than that. At this post diplomatic advantages peacefully secured are always accepted by other powers; and this one is so far-reaching in its future effects that I sincerely trust you may approve it and the means that secured it as well. I have, etc., A. W. TERRELL. [Inclosure 1 in No. 331.] Extract from instructions to Secretary John W. Riddle, inclosed in Mr. Terrell's No. 312, of September 27, 1894. It is proper that an effort should be made by you in behalf of native teachers employed in the American schools who are not American citi. zens to secure them bail, if you believe them innocent; and that they may continue their teaching. This, however, can not be demanded as matter of right, but you will cause the consul to protest if the cause for arrest of such persons and the facts on which arrests are based are not disclosed. [Inclosure 2 in No. 331.] Substance of interviews with the foreign minister and grand vizier. Since receiving Mr. Gresham's cipher telegram of the 29th of October, Mr. Riddle, in my presence, gave to the grand vizier a full statement of the proceedings at Aleppo and Aintab, informing him that he was present at the seizure of the personal effects of the native teachers at Aintab; that those effects were placed in pouches and sealed by a Turkish official; that he accompanied that official back to Aleppo and was present during the search made in them for evidences of sympathy with sedition; that nothing incriminating was found and the proceeding closed to the satisfaction of all parties; that the governor of Aleppo had stated that the grand vizier had instructed him to permit the presence of a representative of the United States at all proceedings against the suspected parties. This having been stated, I expressed to the grand vizier my pleasure over the adoption of this just method of proceeding, which gave assurance that teachers would be taken from their employment only when really guilty of crime; that such a course would always avoid suspicion of capricious arrest, and I assured him that I would never be heard to intercede for teachers against whom there was evidence of crime. The assumption that this precedent established a modus vivendi naturally satisfactory (which it was the chief object of the interview to emphasize) was not questioned, nor were the instructions to the governor-general at Aleppo denied. The grand vizier expressed himself as pleased with the manner in which the examination had been conducted. Saïd Pasha, the minister of foreign affairs, also expressed himself as pleased with the result of the examination, and was informed of the instructions given by the grand vizier to the governor of Aleppo. To him I emphasized the benefit that would result to Turkey from having a representative of the United States present in all proceedings against native teachers in American schools, for the cry of "Turkish atrocities" would not be started by other nations when an impartial American was permitted to know the facts authorizing imprisonment. * He said, "If you or your secretary could go in such cases I would always be satisfied." I expressed the hope that no more such cases would occur, but assured him that if they did I would attempt to go in person or to send the secretary of legation. He then said, "I will agree in advance that your secretary may always be present in all proceedings against native teachers." A. W. TERRELL. Mr. Uhl to Mr. Terrell. No. 274.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, SIR: I have to acknowledge receipt of your No.331, of the 5th instant, in relation to the measure of protection to be accorded to native teachers in American schools in Turkey. The action of the Porte in allowing your claim to have a representative of this Government present at any investigation of charges against native teachers in the missionary schools affords ample opportunity on which to base complaint should capricious arrests or vexatious hinderance of the legitimate operations of those schools occur. Should the result of the examinations conducted in accordance with the understanding you have reached indicate probable cause for proceedings against native teachers, you will simply let matters take their course without protest. I am, etc., EDWIN F. UHL, Acting Secretary. No. 324.] RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED ON JEWS. [See Foreign Relations, 1893, pp. 638, 651, 669.] Mr. Terrell to Mr. Gresham. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Constantinople, October 16, 1894. (Received November 5.) SIR: I have the honor to inform you that the Porte admits that instructions have long ago been given to Turkish consuls in America not to visa the passports of Jews who visit Jerusalem for a longer stay than ninety days. This has led to the seizure and detention of the baggage of that sect at Jaffa, to secure their return within the time allowed, as will be seen from the inclosed dispatch from Consul Wallace at Jerusalem of the 3d instant to the consul-general at Constantinople. Mr. Wallace also, as you will see, reports cases of extortion by Turkish officers, presumably, from the facts given, with the knowledge of the local governor. My instructions to the consul-general look to a correction of this evil. I have remonstrated with the foreign minister on the seizure and detention of baggage, and notified him of my belief that his officials were levying blackmail at Jaffa. The reason given for the avowed policy of preventing the settlement of Jews in Jerusalem in large numbers was stated with much seriousness by His Excellency Said Pasha as follows: We believe that Jesus Christ was a great prophet, and if the Jews get control of Jerusalem they will steal the sepulcher of Christ and destroy everything that can remind people of him. This feature of the interview was unexpected. I informed the Porte that the restriction on the right of American Jews to remain so short a period was a hardship about which I might have occasion to express inyself hereafter. I did not go further because it may be safely assumed that, in the absence of all commerce there, a Jew who goes to stay over ninety days goes to remain, and besides, I can obtain your instructions by the time I can receive further details of extortion by the Turks at Jaffa. I have, etc., [Inclosure 1 in No. 324.] A. W. TERRELL. No. 28.] Mr. Wallace to Mr. Short. CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: I desire to call your attention to a condition of affairs existing at the seaport of Jaffa and here at Jerusalem. Since assuming the duties of this consulate complaints have been from time to time made to me by incoming Jewish-American citizens that they are unnecessa rily annoyed and put to expense by the Turkish officials at Jaffa when attempting to disembark. Tourists and persons coming here to visit or reside for an indefinite time are subject to the annoyance of having their baggage delayed at the custom-house for longer than is necessary. In many cases some official at Jaffa demands passports, and will not allow parties to enter till they deliver their passports to him. Then the one who has taken them will not return them to the owners until some money in the nature of a bribe is given. I have on two separate occasions appealed to the governor of Jerusalem in person, demanding by what authority such actions are taken. Promises have been made me that the matter will be looked into and the offenders punished. In no case am I certain that the promise has been fulfilled. On last Friday, September 28 ultimo, nine persons, Jews, holding passports properly visaed by the Ottoman consul at New York, were prohibited from landing at Jaffa till they deposited a guaranty that they would leave the country inside of thirty days. One man, in company with his wife, landed, but had to deposit a sum of 6 napoleons. His baggage was retained at Jaffa. This morning he appealed to me to know what to do. His passport was taken from him at the depot at Jerusalem as soon as he stepped off the train, and was not returned. I immediately called upon the governor and asked him by whose authority such things are done. His reply was he knew nothing about it, but he would inquire, and at least would order the delivery of the baggage to the owners. Something more than this should be done or the indignity will be repeated. I therefore beg of you to lay the matter before the higher authorities at Constantinople, and inform me what further steps to take in the maintaining of treaty rights. I have done all in my power. These indignities offered our citizens on landing at Jaffa and Jerusalem are a disgrace, and should be immediately and summarily put a stop to. Any delay on our part in taking note of them will but aggravate the indignity. Will you kindly inform me also if the Ottoman consuls in America have authority to say in their visa on a passport that the privilege to remain in the Turkish dominions is limited to thirty or ninety days or to any period? Passports are often so visaed. Shall the bearer of a passport so visaed be compelled to obey it? Hoping some immediate action toward remedying these evils will be taken, I remain, etc., EDWIN S. Wallace. [Inclosure 2 in No. 324.] No. 53.] Mr. Terrell to Mr. Short. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: Your No. 72, of October 15, has just been received, inclosing copy of Consul Wallace's dispatch No. 28, of the 3d instant, relating to the seizure of the baggage of Jews by Turkish officials. These men, being American citizens, are entitled to our protection, and you will instruct Consul Wallace to protest in every instance when the baggage of an American citizen is detained after examination at the customhouse, and to report every case of extortion by Turkish officials, with name of the parties and date, and to forward when practicable the affidavit of the party. Also to report each instance under oath of the party when baggage is detained or other indignity practiced. It is the policy of the Turks to forbid the permanent settlement in large num bers of Jews, but as tourists they must receive full protection as American citizens. On the receipt of satisfactory evidence that the governor retains officials after he is informed that they receive bribes or practice extor tions, I will demand, and doubt not that I will effect, his removal. The evidence should be in the shape of affidavits to accompany the consul's report. I have, etc., A. W. TERRELL, Mr. Gresham to Mr. Terrell. No. 266.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, November 7, 1894. SIR: Your dispatch No. 324, of the 16th ultimo, relative to the harsh treatment of Jews temporarily resorting to Jerusalem, has been received. The restriction of the sojourn of visiting Jews in the ancient capital of their race has been enforced for several years past. Mr. Straus, in his No. 57, of January 28, 1888, touches upon the ostensible reasons for this limitation, which was originally fixed at one month and was about that time prolonged to three months. Extended correspondence in regard to the effect of this measure upon American Jews going to Jerusalem is printed in the second volume of Foreign Relations for 1888. The arbitrary interferences with this class of voyagers which your dispatch reports, such as the detention of their personal effects at Jaffa in order to make their prolonged sojourn in Judea impossible or diffi cult, should properly call forth urgent remonstrance in the event of injuring any citizen of the United States; and should your surmise that the intolerant course of the Turkish officials in that quarter is prompted by corrupt motives be verified, those unworthy agents will doubtless be severely rebuked by the high authority of the Porte itself-which can not be supposed to countenance extortion in any form. As regards the duration of the period during which law-abiding American citizens of the Jewish faith may propose to visit Jerusalem, this Government neither draws nor admits any presumption of intended permanent domicile there from the mere fact of resorting thither. Abandonment of American residence and consequent loss of the right of protection due to bona fide citizens can only be determined by the facts of each case as it may arise. As the records of your legation and of the consulate at Jerusalem will show, this Department has heretofore had occasion to deal with such cases on the facts, and has not hesitated to withdraw protection when permanent domicile in Judea was shown without evident intent to return to this country. I am, etc., W. Q. GRESHAM. STATUS AND TREATMENT IN TURKEY OF NATURALIZED AMERICANS OF TURKISH ORIGIN. [See Foreign Relations, 1893, pp. 683, 684, 685, 692, 699, 702, 703, 705, 706, 708, 709, 710, 711, 713, 715.) Mr. Gresham to Mr. Terrell. [Telegram.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, In an interview with the minister of Turkey to-day he assured me positively that the Turkish Government has not made and will not make arrests except so far as necessary to effect deportation. If imprisonments occur otherwise you will insist on fulfillment of this promise. GRESHAM |