Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 3, 1901

Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay.

Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, July 5, 1901.

No. 52.]

Sir: I beg to inclose herewith petition from Rev. J. L. Fowle and other American missionaries located at Cesarea, requesting the Department of State to authorize the British consul at Angora to look after American interests, as we have no consular representative at that point.

Pending your decision, I have not deemed it prudent to bring the matter to the attention of the British ambassador, but have no doubt that the British Government would gladly consent to have their consul take charge of American interests at Angora, or, in fact, at all other points in the Ottoman Empire where they have a consular representative and the american Government has not, as Sir Nicholas O’Conor, the British Ambassador here, has frequently spoken to me of the advisability of having English and American consuls look after the joint interest of English and American citizens throughout the Turkish Empire, as the country generally is in a rather unsettled and disturbed condition, and if one can credit one-half of the numerous reports and rumors, the word dangerous may be added; and Sir Nicholas O’Conor has even gone so far as to suggest that if such an arrangement could be made, he would seriously consider changing some of his consuls from points where we both have representatives to points where neither Government is represented at present, particularly mentioning the desirability of transferring the English consul now at Sivas, where we have Mr. Jewett, and placing him at Bitlis, a disturbed district, where neither the English nor American Government is represented.

If such an arrangement is practical it would receive my hearty indorsement, as no one can tell what a day may bring forth here, and as long as present conditions exist every proper precaution should be taken to properly insure the lives and properties of American citizens, as the uncertainty which exists warrants measures that might at present appear unnecessary or even absurd. The rumors of disturbances, uprisings, etc., are of too vague a character to describe, and while there is nothing in the immediate situation to justify any grave uneasiness there is sufficient to warrant the exercise of more than ordinary care and precaution.

I have, etc.,

John G. A. Leishman.

[Inclosure.]

Mr. Fowle to Mr. Leishman.

Cesarea, June 19, 1901.

Dear Sir: You may, perhaps, recall our conversation of May 23, regarding a request to the Department of State that the British consul at Angora, H. S. Shipley, esq., be authorized officially to take charge of any business pertaining to the Americans here at Oesarea that would naturally come under the jurisdiction of an American consul if we had one in this (Angora) vilayet.

We hope and trust that no such occasion will arise, but agree with the opinion expressed that day that it will be best to be prepared for emergencies.

If the matter and the manner of this request meet with your approval, will you kindly forward it to Washington through the regular channels?

Assuring you that we fully appreciate the difficulties of your position and are grateful for favors received,

I remain, on behalf of the members of our mission, sincerely yours,

J. L. Fowle.