Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 2, 1902

Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay.

[Telegram.—Paraphrase.]

Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, January 28, 1902.

(Mr. Leishman reports that negotiations have been temporarily interrupted and the committee prevented from paying the ransom, as expected, owing to failure of local authorities to faithfully carry out guaranties given by the Ottoman Government that troops would be held back and negotiations protected; that the brigands became frightened at unusual activity of troops, and, fearing bad faith on the part of the Turkish authorities, disappeared; that it is questionable whether further attempt should be made to treat for ransom on Turkish territory * * *.)