apparently owing to the representations of the Turkish minister at this capital and his intimation that he might "place the matter before the Senate in such a light as to cause it to recede from its amendment." (See Mr. Hirsch's No. 175, of October 29, 1890; also a confidential letter from Mr. Hirsch of the same date, of which a copy1 is annexed hereto for your convenience should no record thereof be found on your files.) Soon after his return to Washington, Mavroyeni Bey opened correspondence on the subject by inquiring, under date of January 21, 1891, "the exact meaning" of the Senate's condition of February 28, 1889, and volunteering two interpretations, alike confused and erroneous. Mr. Blaine replied, January 31, 1891, that— the second article of the treaty relates to the renunciation of naturalization. As the Department understands the resolution of the Senate, it means that the provisions of that article shall not apply to citizens or subjects of either country naturalized prior to the date of the exchange of ratifications, but that the effect of the return of such persons to their native country shall be determined according to the rules that existed prior to the exchange of ratifications. Mavroyeni Bey replied, February 1, 1891, that as Turkey claimed the right to treat as Turks subjects naturalized abroad without consent since January 1, 1869, the foregoing interpretation implied that Turks naturalized in the United States before the exchange of ratifications were not to be deemed naturalized Americans, and asked for further enlightenment. No answer was made to Mavroyeni Bey's last note, but by an instruction, No. 179, of March 27, 1891, Mr. Hirsch was acquainted with the incident and furnished copies of the correspondence, and he was directed to point out to the Porte the entire misconception of the matter by its minister in this capital. In his No. 310, of June 13, 1891, Mr. Hirsch reported his endeavors to make Mavroyeni's misconceptions clear, but added that as the Porte was then making inquiries of various European governments concerning their naturalization treaties with the United States, no definite answer might be expected until the needed information was obtained. The situation has thus remained until now. An examination of Mavroyeni Bey's present note of October 2 shows a substantial reaffirmation and enlargement of the view presented in his note of February 1, 1891. I therefore pointed out to the minister that he has again advanced that view in the note now under consideration, notwithstanding its complete misapprehension of Mr. Blaine's obvious meaning and its entire antagonism both to the letter and to the spirit of the Senate resolution of February 28, 1889. I pointed out that as matters now stand no such distinct understanding between the two Governments has been reached as is contemplated by the Senate resolution and as is necessary to justify the President in completing the treaty by valid exchange and procla mation. I added that, in view of the peculiar circumstances, of the various conflicting constructions of the Senate resolution, and especially of the length of time that has elapsed since the convention was last before the Senate, the first step in the direction desired must obviously be to bring the convention again before that body for its consideration, in the expectation that the Senate may so amend its resolution that no possible question can be raised as to its true purpose and meaning. The situation appears to invite comments for your guidance in such further conduct of the negotiation as may be necessary at Constantinople. 1Not printed. Although I do not fail to observe the preliminary suggestions of Mavroyeni Bey's note that the instructions of the Sublime Porte upon the matter in hand originate in its desire "to give fresh evidence of its friendship for the United States Government"-the real interest and object of the Ottoman Government in the immediate consummation of the convention in question are too plain to be disguised. They sufficiently appear, indeed, in the subsequent passages of the note itself, and especially in the following sentence: All that the Sublime Porte desires is to reach an understanding with the United States Government to the full extent allowed by the laws of the Empire, with a view to putting a stop to the machinations of certain Ottomans who try to foment difficulties between two friendly governments by becoming naturalized as American citizens, not for the purpose of settling in the United States in a permanent and serious manner, but with the firm intention, as soon as they have become naturalized, of returning to Turkey, in order to endeavor to carry out their seditious or criminal designs. The same interest or object is evinced by the recent imperial iradé, the substance of which you telegraphed on the 10th instant, prohibiting Armenian subjects from returning to Turkey under foreign passports, and forbidding a residence in Turkey of any who have emigrated during the last twenty years. The claim to disregard the effect of a foreign passport is but another manifestation of the contention in Mavroyeni's note of October 2. - The exact truth, therefore, is that appeal is now made to this Government to perfect an inchoate treaty, the operations of whose provisions the Turkish Government perceives would, under present conditions, be greatly to its advantage, with attempt to make the rights and claims of Turkey in the premises still more advantageous by an ex parte interpretation. Turkey makes this appeal fully conscious that it is dealing with a friendly power, and rightly so. The United States is in no wise unfriendly to Turkey, and in many ways and on many occasions has proved that it is not. It has no selfish designs upon the peace or integ rity of Turkey, is not a party to any schemes for the partition of its territory or the impairment of its sovereignty, and proposes no participation in Turkish affairs, except so far as the protection of the property, the lives, and the rights of its citizens imperatively requires. But while such is the attitude of this Government toward the Turkish Empire, it seems to be open to serious doubt whether that attitude is appreciated and whether the disinterested and amicable sentiments inspiring it are reciprocated. If such were the case, the application of this Government for the payment of a reasonable pecuniary indemnity on account of property of its citizens destroyed by mob violence with the connivance and active participation of Turkish soldiers and officials would not be treated with indifference, nor be evaded, nor be postponed for reasons that are palpably but mere pretexts. If such were the case, there would be no hesitation in welcoming the presence of a United States dispatch boat at Constantinople, as merely putting the United States on the footing of other great powers to no possible prejudice of the power or prestige of the Turkish Government, as tending to allay the just fears and apprehensions of resident American citizens, and as simply adding to the resources upon which the Turkish Govern ment might rely for the repression of the excesses of a lawless and fanatical populace. In these flagrant instances, as well as others of a less important character, which I need not now stop to enumerate, the United States believes it has just cause to complain of the course of the Ottoman Government and of the spirit which seems to animate it. And it is not inopportune to remark that a decided change of conduct and bearing as respects our Government and citizens would go far to secure from the Senate of the United States that favorable reconsideration of the proposed convention between the two countries which is absolutely essential if the present wishes of the Turkish Government are to be gratified. It is desired that you shall temperately, but earnestly and clearly, make these views known in the proper quarter, in the hope that upon the assembling of the Senate in December next the matter may be laid before that.body, in conformity with the President's constitutional prerogative to consult the coordinate treaty-making power upon occasion, with favorabie considerations tending to bring about a prompt and satisfactory conclusion. I am, etc., No. 1017.] RICHARD OLNEY. IRADÉ REGARDING ARMENIAN EMIGRATION. Mr. Terrell to Mr. Olney. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Constantinople, October 10, 1896. (Received Oct. 22.) SIR: I have the honor to append on the overleaf for your information the copy of an Imperial iradé which prohibits from hereafter residing in Turkey any Armenian who has emigrated in the last twenty years. Two months only are allowed to those Armenian subjects who are temporarily absent to return. Those who return with foreign passports will not be recognized as foreign subjects and will not be permitted to remain. Those who desire to leave must bind themselves with a responsible surety that they will not return. The requirement of security is likely to interpose a new difficulty in getting the wives of our naturalized Armenians away, even if consent to leave is given, for their poverty-stricken friends can not furnish the security. A. W. TERRELL. 1 have, etc., [Inclosure 1017.-From Levant Herald, October 9, 1896.] Imperial Iradé. THE EMIGRATION OF ARMENIANS. The following official communication appeared this morning in all the Turkish papers published in the capital: In consequence of recent events in Constantinople, certain members of the Armenian community, fathers of families or bachelors, artisans, merchants, or others, continue to emigrate. Then individuals of no certain occupation find their way somehow into the various vilayets of the Empire. Now, the Armenian agitators attribute this emigration to an alleged want of confidence and nonexisting security in the capital. They invent and publish in this connection all sorts of lies and incorrect statements. Since the foundation of the Ottoman Empire, need it be said, the Imperial Government has never ceased pursuing a just line of conduct, the object being to safeguard the lives, property, and honor of its loyal subjects. The Imperial Government is in a position, under the protecting scepter of His Imperial Majesty the Sultan, to prevent all cause of anxiety or fear, which might induce further emigration. Thus, all who desire to leave the country must sign a document and also have a solvable guaranty, confirmed by the patriarchate, that they will not return to Turkey. This declaration must be accompanied by the likeness of the emigrant, and it will only be after fulfilling such formalities that emigration will be authorized. The passports delivered to these emigrants will state that such persons will not be allowed to set foot again on Ottoman territory. The explanation in question, as well as a declaration that the emigrants have lost Ottoman nationality, will be duly inscribed in the registers of the commission ad hoc, in the archives of the competent department, as well as at the chancellery of the Armenian patriarchate. A delay of a month and a half, and in cases of plausible hindrance, two months' delay, commencing from to-day, will be granted to those who have gone abroad without authorization from the Imperial Government, to return to their homes. In the event of their design to stay where they are, they must make a declaration to this effect in the Turkish embassies or legations abroad. Emigrants of this category will, nevertheless, lose their nationality as Ottoman subjects, unless they return to Turkey within the above-named period. Ottoman Armenian subjects who have emigrated under false names and yet by diverse means have returned to Turkey with foreign passports will not be recognized as foreign subjects, nor will they be allowed to live in any part of the Empire. Armenians who have emigrated during the past twenty years, and especially members of the committee of agitators, will not benefit from the present arrangement. Consequently they will not be permitted to return here. Every agitator who returns to Turkey will be arrested and brought before the ordinary tribunals. As regards Armenians of foreign nationality, who in great numbers are among the agitators as organizers of disturbance, the Government and the police find it difficult to distinguish between the one and the other. In consequence such foreign Armenians will not be allowed to assume Ottoman nationality, in accordance with the law which authorizes the admission of other foreigners to become Ottoman subjects. These regulations, decided upon at a council of ministers, have been sanctioned by Imperial iradé. INDEX. A. Page. Address of the minister of the Greater Republic of Central America on present- 369 749 Agreement: between Argentine Republic and Chile for the settlement of their bound- between Chile and France for the settlement of French claims growing out between China and Japan providing for Japanese settlements at open ports 33 43 98 139 254 between the United States and Mexico for the reciprocal right to pursue 438 293-298 Aguirre, George W. (See Arrest of citizens of the United States in Cuba.) 747 Aliens and naturalization, Hawaiian law concerning, text of. 387 Alsace-Lorraine : applicability of the Bancroft treaties to, discussed.. 186-192 persons born in, and naturalized in the United States held by Germany to 187 Alsop & Co. (See Claim.) American Methodist Mission. (See Claims.) American Baptist Missionary Union. (See Claims.) American Southern Presbyterian Mission, indemnity paid to, for destruction Antilottery law applicable to newspapers containing drawings of government 115-117 Arbitration: adjustment of disputes between the United States and Great Britain by. of boundary controversy between Costa Rica and Nicaragua.... 100-102, 371-374 100 of boundary controversy between Great Britain and Venezuela; conclusion 240-255 of British claims growing out of civil war in Chile, results of the 35-41 of the claim of Julio R. Santos against Ecuador. 103-110 award of arbitrator... 109 of disputes between the United States and Great Britain; text of treaty 238 Argentine Republic: Armenian emigration from Turkey, iradé concerning.. Armenian agitators, request of Turkey for the expulsion of, from the United boundary controversy with Chile, agreement for the settlement of........ 32-34 1 925-929 937 |