of ministers upon these points having received by iradé the sanction of Ilis Imperial Majesty the Sultan, the orders necessary for its execution have been delivered to the ministry of the interior, the ministry of foreign affairs, and communicated to the ministry of public instruction. DECEMBER 28, 1307 (1891, O. S.) No. 380.] Mr. Hirsch to Mr. Blaine. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Constantinople, January 25, 1892. (Received February 12.) SIR: The inclosed verbal note from the Sublime Porte, in which the legation is requested to instruct United States consuls in the interior to refuse protection to the natives of this Empire naturalized as American citizens, who, as the note states, furtively betake themselves to America and after obtaining citizen papers return to their native country, and whose acquired citizenship is not recognized by the Ottoman Government, in virtue of their law forbidding a Turkish subject to expatriate himself without the Imperial consent, has been received from the Sublime Porte. Conversing with the grand vizier upon this subject, his highness spoke of the impossibility of acknowledging the claims of this class of citizens, and said, "Your laws on naturalization are your own internal affair; our laws on the matter must be observed in the Empire." I said that I trusted such orders might be everywhere given as should cause every United States passport presented to be respected, and before closing the interview it was understood that this note reopened the question of naturalization now, since more than a year in suspense, and which the vizier plainly showed it was his desire to settle. Acting upon the tenor of our conversation, I deemed it advisable to also take some steps at the palace, from which quarter, it may be remembered, the last opposition came, and consequently Surreya Pacha, private secretary to the Sultan, and who has His Majesty's ear, has been informed of what passed at the Porte and the position which this legation has taken in the question. A reply has been sent to the Porte's note which, as may be seen from the inclosed copy, is brief and in the sense of my verbal reply to the grand vizier, viz, that our naturalization law provides for the protection of every validly naturalized citizen in all lawful necessities, wherever he may be, and that I expect American passports to be everywhere and always respected. Information concerning whatever progress may be made in this ne gotiation will be furnished to the Department. I have, etc., [Inclosure 1 in No. 380.-Translation. ] Said Pasha to Mr. Hirsch. SOLOMON HIRSCH. MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, It appears from a report of the prefecture of police that a certain number of Ottoman subjects, inhabitants of Asiatic Turkey, betake them furtively to America, and after remaining there for some time, return to their country provided with American passports, and claiming to pass as citizens of the Republic. As, according to the Ottoman law on nationalities, Ottomans have not the right to acquire foreign naturalization without having first obtained the authorization of His Imperial Majesty the Sultan, the Sublime Porte is unable to admit illegal changes of this nature, and begs the United States legation to kindly send instructions to its consuls and agents in the Empire that they may not eventually give their protection to this category of individuals-natives of the country-in order to prevent difficulties with the Imperial authorities. [Inclosure 2 in No. 380.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, The United States legation has received the verbal note which the minister of foreign affairs did it the honor to address to it under date of January 9th, relating to a report of the prefecture of police with regard to certain Ottoman subjects, who, after becoming naturalized citizens of the United States, return to their native country, and whose citizenship is held by the Sublime Porte to be invalid, in virtue of the law forbidding Ottoman subjects to expatriate themselves without the Imperial permission. In reply this legation begs to point out that five years' continuous residence in the United States, and the fulfillment of certain conditions prescribed by law, entitle a foreigner to admission to citizenship, if he may so desire, and to all the rights and privileges of an American citizen, among which is the right of travel, either for business or pleasure. Anyone in the Empire duly in possession of an American passport is entitled to the protection of the United States Government. This legation, in consequence finds itself unable to comply with the request contained in the aforesaid verbal note that orders be issued to the United States consuls in the Empire to refuse protection to those naturalized American citizens, and permits itself to hope that instructions may be given to the minister of police that shall insure the respect due to every American passport presented. No. 382.] Mr. Hirsch to Mr. Blaine. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Constantinople, January 27, 1892. (Received February 12.) SIR: I have the honor to inclose herewith a copy in translation of a note verbale from the Sublime Porte in answer to the note verbale of this legation of January 9, on the subject of the "Conversion of private houses into temples and schools by the American missionaries." I have, etc., [Inclosure in No. 382.-Translation.] Sublime Porte to Mr. Hirsch. SOLOMON HIRSCH. SUBLIME PORTE, MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, Constantinople, January 20, 1892. The ministry of foreign affairs has received the verbal note which the United States legation has done it the honor to address it on January 9, relative to religious and scholastic establishments in the Empire. The foundation of these establishments is subject in Turkey, as everywhere else, to certain formalities. The object of the Sublime Porte is not to impede in any way the exercise of worship or instruction, but simply to prevent any contravention of the established rules. The United States legation, which is as careful of the observation of these rules as of the interests of the missionaries will, the ministry is persuaded, lend the Imperial ministry its valuable assistance in preventing any such infractions. Mr. Hirsch to Mr. Blaine. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, No. 383.] Constantinople, January 29, 1892. (Received February 12.) SIR: Referring to my No. 379, I have now the honor to inclose herewith a clipping from the Levant Herald, of January 27, 1892, with English translation, containing the order lately issued in relation to schools. It does not appear that any of the other missions here have taken any steps at the Sublime Porte in behalf of their schools, but I am officially informed that Mr. Fane, the British chargé d'affaires, will apply to London for instructions. Copies of my notes to the Porte, Nos. 86 and 87, of January 9, have, by request, been furnished by mé to the embassy. The powers mainly interested in schools in this Empire (aside from the United States) are England, France, and Italy. I do not doubt but they will take some action in the premises. I have, etc. SOLOMON HIRSCH. [Inclosure in No. 383.-Translation from the Levant Herald of January 27, 1892.] SCHOOLS. It is categorically forbidden to build hereafter, to found and open without official authorization schools or to transform dwelling houses into schools, either in Constantinople or in the provinces of the Empire. In the contrary case, the competent authorities will impede the transformation of a dwelling into a school or the opening of an establishment of instruction, and inform the Sublime Porte. All the schools previously opened without authorization must be provided with it in a period to be determined ad hoc. It will be proceeded to the closing of those which would have not, at the expiration of that period, obtained that authorization, and the prescriptions of Article 129 of the regulation on public instruction will be applied with regard to persons who would act against the law. These measures, sanctioned by an Imperial iradé, have just been communicated by the ministry of the interior to the provincial authorities-the ministry of public instruction brought them to the knowledge of the directors of public instruction. It is therefore evident that the foundation, the opening of the schools, and the transformation of a dwelling into a school, shall not be made except with an official authorization, as it is above stated. The directors, founders, and competent authorities of all the schools, without exception, previously opened at Constantinople and its suburbs, which have not yet obtained the official authorization of the ministry of public instruction must, in a period of a month and a half from the date of the present notice, address to the said ministry and request the necessary authorization. In default, at the expiration of this period, those schools shall be closed in conformity with the Imperial iradé which sanctions these measures, and Article 129 of the regulation on public instruction. Mr. Blaine to Mr. Hirsch. No. 281.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, February 10, 1892. SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your No. 379 of 22d ultimo, and to approve the note of 21st ultimo, in which you protest against the provisions of a ministerial order recently sent to the provinces concerning the conditions for opening and maintaining schools, as not warranted. I am, etc., JAMES G. BLAINE. No. 285.] Mr. Blaine to Mr. Hirsch. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, February 24, 1892. SIR: I have received your No. 383 of 29th ultimo, with which you inclose an extract from the Levant Herald of January 27, 1892, giving the text of the recent order of the Porte regarding authorization of schools. I am, etc., JAMES G. BLAINE. No. 288.] Mr. Blaine to Mr. Hirsch. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, SIR: I transmit for your files a copy of a letter of Mr. Smith, of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, commending your action on behalf of American missionaries, and a copy of the pamphlet therewith. I am, etc., JAMES G. BLAINE. [Inclosure in No. 288.] Mr. Smith to Mr. Blaine. AMERICAN BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOR FOREIGN MISSIONS, 1 Somerset Street, Boston, February 26, 1892. DEAR SIR: I send you to-day a printed copy of an "appeal on behalf of religious work in the Turkish Empire from representatives of Bible and missionary societies at Constantinople," which has recently been received from England. Our missionaries have joined in the appeal with the representatives from England residing in Turkey, and the pamphlet will explain itself. I am sure that you will read it with no little interest. A letter just received from Mr. Dwight speaks in terms of great satisfaction in respect to the instructions which Mr. Hirsch has received from the Department of State, covering quite fully the second point mentioned in the appeal; that is, the securing recognition of the right of missionaries to have schools and hold worship in their houses. He says, and I think we may take his words as expressive of the sentiment of our missionaries generally in the Empire, "We owe acknowledgments to our Government for the prompt way in which Mr. Hirsch has let the Porte know that the existing mission establishments are under United States protection, and may not be disturbed without disturbing the relations of amity the United States has always been glad to maintain with Turkey." It gives me great satisfaction to communicate to you this statement from our missionaries and to add thereto the equally hearty expression of satisfaction on the part of all the officials of the American board at these rooms. It is what we had expected, but it as gratifying as if it were a surprise. Mr. Dwight touches upon another point in his letter in these words: "I think that equally clear support of the first point in the appeal, namely, that books once authorized by the Turkish Government are entitled to all the rights and privileges of other merchandise, has not been given from Washington." This point is so well presented in the appeal which I am sending that I am sure nothing needs to be added to what is there presented in the way of pointing out the need of instructions upon this point and the just basis upon which they may be given. Assuring you again of the satisfaction with which this tidings from Constantinople has been received, and of the great gratification which I experience in being able thus to come to you, not so much with a request as with thanks and appreciative words. I am, etc., JUDSON SMITH, Foreign Secretary American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. No. 397.] Mr. Hirsch to Mr. Blaine. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Constantinople, February 29, 1892. (Received March 15.) SIR: Rev. H. O. Dwight, in a letter of this date, a copy of which is herewith inclosed, informs me that private letters addressed to the missionaries at Mardin had been detained for examination. During an interview to-day with his highness the grand vizier, I brought the matter to his attention and said to him that I could not consent to the examination of private letters of American citizens. His highness replied that no censorship is contemplated over such private correspondence, nor had any order to that effect ever been issued to his knowledge, and that immediate inquiry would be made to ascertain upon what authority the Mardin officials acted. A censorship, he stated, was exercised over printed matter, including newspapers coming into the Empire, some of which, issued by Armenians in America and containing articles inimical to the Turkish Government are sent here and into the provinces from the United States. Further than that no examination of mail matter will be had. I have, &c., SOLOMON HIRSCH. [Inclosure in No. 397.] Mr. Dwight to Mr. Hirsch. BIBLE HOUSE, Constantinople, February 29, 1892. DEAR SIR: The authorities at Mardin on 15th of this month detained for examination letters as well as printed matter which had arrived by international post for the American missionaries in that place. They declared that they have strict orders to read all letters from abroad arriving by post. On this occasion, after some conversation, the mufti gave up the letters unopened, but declared that it was a special favor due to his confidence in the loyalty of the missionaries. I judge that there must be some misunderstanding at Mardin of an order concerning the censorship of printed matter. May I venture to ask your intervention to secure the sending of instructions to Mardin that the private correspondence of Americans which is intrusted to the Ottoman posts must not be opened or detained. Very respectfully, H. O. DWIGHT. No. 399.] Mr. Hirsch to Mr. Blaine. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Constantinople, March 2, 1892. (Received March 22.) SIR: My note of January 21 to the Sublime Porte on the subject of American schools in Turkey (of which a copy was sent to you in my No. 379 of January 22) has been followed up by various personal interviews with both his highness the grand vizier, and his excellency the minister of foreign affairs. As in the note, I seized every opportunity to impress upon the minds of the ministers that our schools, having in every particular complied with the law, have an undisputable right to continue their work unmolested, while new schools may be established by American missionaries after having complied with the provisions of Article 129 of the school law of 1869, to which law this lega |