Mr. Straus to Mr. Blaine.
Constantinople , May 10, 1889. (Received May 25.)
Sir: I have the honor to report that on the 11th of July, 1888, the president of Robert College under instructions, received by him from the trustees of said institution in New York, filed an application in this legation to obtain the necessary permission from the Ottoman Government for the erection of the following additional buildings on the premises now occupied by the college at Roumeli Hissar on the Bosphorus, that is to say:
- First. For the erection of an additional school building to contain chemical and physical laboratories and lecture rooms, museum of natural history, geological and mineralogical, collections, library, and hall for the public exercises of the college. Dimensions, 100 feet by 50 feet, 2 stories high.
- Second. For the erection of a dwelling-house for the president of the college within the inclosure of the college grounds. Dimensions, 50 feet square, 2 stories high.
Upon examining the original iradé for the erection of the college and the Ottoman laws regulating the construction of buildings it was found necessary to apply for an iradé. It was necessary also to file specifications and plans, which was accordingly done.
The application being thus in form, passed through the various bureaus and office provided by law, and was finally submitted to the council of states and the council of ministers. The matter was carefully followed through all these stages by our dragoman, Mr. Gargiulo, and was finally transmitted by the Porte to His Majesty the Sultan.
On the 6th instant the Sultan’s iradé was issued and the necessary formal papers or firman in pursuance thereof will be delivered to the college authorities in the course of a few days.
I have, etc.,