Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay.
Constantinople, October 15, 1904.
Sir: Referring further to my dispatch No. 866, of August 11, 1904, in reference to the proposed new stamp law.
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The objections raised were communicated in an informal manner, and as a matter of fact the Turkish department’s officials experienced so much difficulty in interpreting the new law, which was clumsily drawn up, that the Sublime Porte has come to the conclusion that a complete revision of the law is necessary, and a commission composed of members of the council of state has been appointed to review the bill and make the necessary corrections.
Under these circumstances I deemed it wise to lodge a protest with the Sublime Porte against any efforts to enforce the new law against American citizens until such time as it be formally accepted by the American Government, fearing that tacit action might be construed as an acceptance; but I have advised the consuls that, as the Department was not disposed to raise any objection to the slight increase in the schedule, acceptance of the new law merely being withheld for reasons of general policy until such time as the objectionable articles were eliminated, in order to avoid any unnecessary trouble or complications, Americans should be quietly advised to pay the tax imposed under the new law under protest.
Trusting that my action will meet with the approval of the Department,
I have, etc.,