No. 1102.
Mr. Straus to Mr. Bayard.
Legation of
the United States,
Constantinople, November 14, 1888.
(Received December 3.)
No. 139.]
Sir: The inclosed letter from Rev. Dr. Isaac G.
Bliss, superintendent of the Levant agency of the American Bible Society,
asking me to endeavor to get authority from the Sublime Porte to publish and
circulate a new edition of the Bible translated into Turkish, explains
itself. After several discussions upon the subject with the minister of
foreign affairs, I formulated the grounds of our rights and privileges in a
note to the Sublime Porte under date of June 16, 1888, a copy of which is
inclosed.
Finally, on August 2 last, such permission was duly granted for the
publication and circulation of this particular edition.
The decision, however, upon the general principles as to the effect and
binding force of Aali Pasha’s note referred to in my note to the Porte, was
reserved for future consideration by the minister of public instruction.
After consultation with Dr. Bliss it was deemed best not to delay the
publication of the edition above referred to until the entire question was
[Page 1625]
disposed of. That question
will again come up for discussion at some future time, when I hope the
principle will be once and for all settled.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 139.]
Rev. Dr. Bliss to
Mr. Straw.
American Bible Society, Levant Agency, Bible
House,
Constantinople, May 1,
1888.
Dear Mr. Straus: Allow me to call your
attention to the following facts in regard to the publication of the
Turkish Bible:
The permit to publish the Bible in Osmanli Turkish, was given on the 21st
of February, 1295 (1880), old style. After a few years the edition of
these Scriptures published under the authorization was exhausted and
application was made by the authorities for a permit to print a revised
edition of the Bible. The permit to publish this edition was given the
28th June, 1302 (1886), old style.
Not long after we sought and obtained permission to publish from this
revised edition of the Bible the New Testament in small size. The date
of the permission to publish this New Testament was the 28th July, 1302
(1886), old style.
This edition being exhausted permission for printing the New Testament in
large type was asked. At this point a difficulty arose. The Mooarif
consented to give this permission only upon the condition that we place
upon the title page the words “For Christians only.” With this condition
we could not comply. It was not only new but entirely contrary to the
understanding arrived at with the Mooarif on a previous occasion, viz,
that it should be regarded sufficient if upon the title page of the book
were printed the statement that the book is published at the expense of
the Bible Society. This arrangement was accepted by all parties, and for
a term of years, up to this present time, our books have been published
under this arrangement.
These facts were brought before the Medjlis by Mr. Gargiulo, with the
result that they did not insist that the condition should be complied
with that we place upon the title page “For Christians only.” About this
time the new law of the press was issued, according to which any book
which has been once published with the permission of the Mooarif may be
reprinted without a new permit, upon the condition that two copies of
this new edition be deposited with the Mooraif before the book is
offered for sale.
In view of the new law of the press, Mr. Gargiulo was informed by the
Mooarif that the printing of the New Testament in question could be
proceeded with, and we were pledged to deposit the two copies of this
new edition as soon as we had them in hand from the printer.
Accordingly the printing was pressed and in due time finished. As soon as
completed two copies of the book were sent up to the Mooarif with the
expectation that in accordance with the terms of the new press law the
permit to put the book on the market for sale would be at once given.
This authorization the Mooarif, after keeping us going and coming for a
long time, and leading us to expect that it would be soon granted, have
finally declined to give.
Your excellency will note that the permit to publish the Osmanli Turkish
Bible and New Testament was, after prolonged negotiations with the
Sublime Porte and the Mooarif, fully allowed.
Furthermore, since that time, several editions of these books have been
published with the full knowledge and approval of the Mooarif, and in
entire conformity to all the conditions laid down by them in respect to
the publication of books. In view of the fact that there is no law of
the Empire adverse to the publication of these books, and also that we
have in every instance conformed to the requirements of the laws of book
publication, it is evident that to deny us the advantages of the law of
the press in the present case, not only causes us large commercial loss,
but it is gross injustice to the societies which have in all their
operations been perfectly loyal to the Mooarif.
This, in brief, is, if I mistake not, the correct history of the
negotiations and difficulties connected with the printing of the Turkish
Bible.
It is our earnest hope, my dear Mr. Straus, that you will be able to
deliver us out of the difficulties that now surround us in this
work.
Yours, truly,
[Page 1626]
[Inclosure 2 in No. 139.]
Mr. Straus to
Said Pasha.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, June 16,
1888.
Excellency: The right to publish the Bible in
Turkish and to circulate it has been exercised by Christian societies in
this Empire for many years. Why this right should at this time be denied
by his excellency the minister of public instruction is a matter I can
not understand, nor can I believe that he is acting within the scope of
his authority in taking such a course, which is not only contrary to the
guaranties of religious liberty, but also in conflict with treaty rights
relating to trade and commerce.
The permit to print and circulate the Bible in Turkish was given to the
American Bible Society on February 21, 1880 (1295 old style), also on
June 28, 1886 (1302 old style), and again as hereinafter stated on the
28th July, 1886 (1302 old style).
For some time past the ministry of public instruction has placed various
obstacles in the way of the American Bible Society in the prosecution of
its legitimate work. The society not wishing to trouble the legation,
has submitted to the many little difficulties that have thus interposed.
Matters have now come to such a pass that official action has to be
taken.
A few weeks since the Bible Society printed in accordance with the terms
of the law a second edition of the New Testament in Turkish, for which
it had obtained official authorization on the 28th July, 1886 (1302 old
style), but it appears that the Enjuman council of public instruction
has recently refused to allow the publication of the same.
The ground upon which such refusal was based is that the Bible is
obnoxious. I doubt if such refusal or objection will be sustained for
one moment by the Sublime Porte.
It is only necessary to refer in this connection to a note written by his
excellency the late Mehemet Emin Aali Pasha, then imperial minister of
foreign affairs, to Sir Henry Bulwer, Her Britannic Majesty’s
ambassador, bearing date 10th Cheval, 1277 (April 2,1861), wherein he
states-(translation): “No impediment has hitherto been offered to the
sale of Holy Testaments printed in various tongues, and thus, in
accordance with your excellency’s desire, no impediment will now be
placed.”
Without going into an argument on this subject, it is hoped that
sufficient has been presented to induce your excellency to have proper
instructions given so that the right to print, translate, and circulate
the Bible be no longer withheld.
Accept, excellency, etc.,
