Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (Mr. Leishman reports that the ransom has been paid to the brigands, who, it is hoped, will faithfully perform their part of the agreement to return the captives safe.) Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (Mr. Leishman reports that although the ten-day period originally mentioned has been exceeded the committee does not attach particular importance to this fact, as at their last meeting with the brigands the time for the delivery of the captives, owing to anticipated difficulties, was made rather elastic. While the delay causes Mr. Leishman some uneasiness, in view of all the circumstances, he sees no immediate cause for alarm. He states that rather difficult conditions were imposed upon the committee, and absolute secrecy demanded under threats of most dire vengeance in case of disclosure; that the length of time demanded was with an object to deliver the captives at some interior point in Turkey. He states that Miss Stone's letters were very clear and explicit, and not only implored that her captors' demands be acceded to, but demanded that the money collected by her friends be paid without question, and that absolute confidence be placed in the brigands.) Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (Mr. Leishman reports that word has been received from the brigands requesting the committee not to be uneasy at the delay, which is caused by difficulties beyond their immediate control. Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] *) LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (Mr. Leishman reports that he has been advised by the committee that the governor of Serres reports that Miss Stone has been found at a point not named, and is expected to reach Serres on February 24.) Mr. Hay to Mr. Leishman. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, February 26, 1902. (Mr. Hay extends congratulations to Mr. Leishman on the effected release of Miss Stone. * * No. 143.] Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: *** As already advised by cable, I am very happy to state that our efforts to rescue Miss Stone have proved successful, and she is now safely in the hands of her friends in her old home in Salonica. Too much praise could not be accorded to Messrs. Gargiulo, Peet, and House for the able and clever manner in which they performed the difficult and, at times, dangerous task assigned to them, and I especially desire to recommend to your consideration Mr. Gargiulo, the intelligent and capable dragoman of this legation, who, although purposely kept in the background for reasons of policy, really commanded the expedition, and through whom the legation conveyed any necessary instructions and advice. I can not speak too highly of his work, and it is all the more creditable when one considers that he is over 60 years of age, and arose from a sick bed to go up into a wild, unsettled country affording but poor and sometimes miserable accommodation, and frequently had to spend eight, ten, and twelve hours a day in the saddle, as there are few roads where carriage travel would be possible. Mr. Lemmi, the second dragoman, also deserves mention for the creditable and skillful manner in which he performed his part of the work in conveying the ransom and preventing from becoming known the fact of payment having been made when returning with the bags, which had been refilled with lead. I also wish to take occasion to mention the friendly interest taken in this matter by Sir Nicholas O'Connor, the British ambassador here, and also the interest and assistance rendered us by Mr. Elliott, the English diplomatic agent at Sofia; Mr. McGregor, the consul and, at the early stage of the Stone case, acting as British chargé at Sofia, and Sir Alfred Billiotti, British consul at Salonica, all of whom rendered us valuable assistance and advice; and it would give me great pleasure if you were to intimate to the British Government the gratitude which is felt for their kindly interest and assistance. I have, etc., JOHN G. A. LEISHMAN. No. 153.] Mr. Hay to Mr. Leishman. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, May 8, 1902. SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch, No. 143, of March 1 last, on the subject of the abduction of Miss Stone. You will express the grateful appreciation of the President and myself to the persons mentioned in your dispatch for their generous and valuable services in connection with the release of Miss Stone. I am, etc., JOHN HAY. PASSPORT APPLICATION OF ASSADUR H. KLUDJIAN. Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay. No. 124.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: I herewith inclose copies of correspondence with ConsulGeneral Dickinson in regard to application of Assadur H. Kludjian for passport, which I feel compelled to refuse. I also inclose copy of Kludjian's letter dated November 10, 1901, which explains my reasons for declining to grant him desired recognition. I have, etc., JOHN G. A. LEISHMAN. [Inclosure 1.] Mr. Kludjian to Mr. Leishman. ALEXANDRETTA, SYRIA, November 10, 1901. DEAR SIR: I am an Armenian naturalized citizen of the United States of America; lived in the United States since 1889; left the United States in the month of June, 1900; obtained a passport from Washington; came here to end my business relations in Turkey and return to the United States as soon as possible; was quarantined at Beirut; my passport was indorsed by the Turkish Government at Beirut; arrived at this port in August, 1900; was refused admission to this port with my passport; sent with a messenger my letter of recommendation addressed to the United States consul here, which I obtained from the United States consulate at Marseilles, France; was detained at the seashore, guarded by the police, waiting for protection by our representative here; my messenger returned and informed me that the consul was at his summer home, about 8 or 10 miles away from here. I sent my messenger again to the office of the consulate to see if there was not any substitute or an acting officer in his place, but he was refused any interview whatever. Then I sent my messenger again, feeling assured that some one should surely be in the office to look out for the interests of the United States. My messenger came back with the instruction given by the dragoman or interpreter of the consulate that there was no other way but to give up my passport and become a Turkish subject. I sent my messenger again to the dragoman, begging of him to obtain permission from the Turkish Government for me to remain here for a period of one or two weeks. No United States representative appeared in my defense. Then I was ordered to go back into the steamer in which I came and was taken here at once. The steamer I sailed from Beirut to this port in was a Turkish one named Dolma-Baghtché. The crew and the officers of the steamer belonged to the military. Fearful of the dreadful feature of things, I had to give up my passport in the boat and land. A few days after my landing I had the opportunity of seeing the United States consul, and he informed me that I was no more an American citizen and advised me not to come around the office, as he was afraid himself. I left Alexandretta and went to my home, Deurt-Yole, about 18 miles from here. While trying to cut my business relations with my brothers, I was called by the governor of the State of Adana to the State capital, the city of Adana. I went to Adana, and after strict cross-examinations I was asked to furnish bond or go to prison. I furnished bond and was left free under close watch with the condition that I should remain in Adana until I was notified otherwise. I remained in Adana six weeks conditionally, then was cast into the prison of the capital. My imprisonment was six months. During all this period I wished to beg the protection of my adopted and much-loved country, but considering the possible national bitter feeling that might be caused between the two nations, I hesitated to do so; and as there is an Imperial order according to which any person living in Turkey could have the privilege of leaving Turkey under condition of not returning any more, I thought of taking advantage of the same order in the absence of other means. Now I am in perfect readiness to leave this country for the United States (Boston), where I have received my education, and where I have made my home, practicing medicine, since 1894. I respectfully present to you a copy of my naturalization papera inclosed herein. Awaiting your advice, etc., [Inclosure 2.] A. H. KLUDJIAN. Mr. Dickinson to Mr. Leishman. UNITED STATES CONSULATE-GENERAL, SIR: I beg to acknowledge the legation's No. 113 of November 20, 1901, covering a letter from Dr. A. H. Kludjian written from Alexandretta, and asking me to investigate the matter. I would refer you to Consul Davis's No. 13@ to the legation, of August 11, 1900, in which he stated that in order to gain admission to this country he (Kludjian) had to renounce his citizenship, but as it appeared from his letter to the legation, which I return herewith, that he was prepared and anxious to leave this country for the United States, in referring the matter to Consul Davis I asked him to have Dr. Kludjian make an application for a passport in proper form, which I would submit to the legation and ask that he be granted a passport. I now beg to inclose his passport application a in duplicate, together with a certificate of citizenship, and to enable him to leave this country for his adopted home I would request you to grant him the necessary passport. I am, etc., Mr. Hay to Mr. Leishman. CHAS. M. DICKINSON. No. 108.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, February 10, 1902. SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch No. 124 of the 9th ultimo, reporting that you have refused to grant Assadur H. Kludjian, a former Turkish subject, a passport, the facts of the case, as shown by the inclosures to your dispatch, follows: * * * being as Kludjian came to this country in 1889, was naturalized in 1895, and granted a passport by this Government May 17, 1900. He went back to Turkey, presented evidence of his American citizenship at the port of Alexandretta, and was refused permission to enter the country because he was an American citizen.ˆ He declares that he sent for the American consul, who was away, and that the dragoman of the consulate told him that in order to enter Turkey he must give up his pass a Not printed. port and become a Turkish subject. He was ordered back to the steamer on which he had arrived. Under these circumstances he gave up his passport and naturalization certificate and swore allegiance to Turkey. He went about his business, and some six weeks later was cast into prison. Before this he told the consul at Alexandretta that he had been compelled to give up his passport and naturalization certificate, but that he was at heart a good American. He was imprisoned for six months, during which time he did not call upon the agents of this Government for protection, because, so he says, of "the possible national bitter feeling that might cause between the two nations." It is true that Turkey refuses to recognize the American citizenship of a former Turk who secures naturalization in the United States without Turkish authority; and that when this authority is given it is with the stipulation that the person shall not return to Turkey. Therefore, if a naturalized American citizen of Turkish origin returns to Turkey he may expect arrest and imprisonment or expulsion. The Department's notice stating these facts, now sent to every former subject of Turkey who receives a passport, was not yet, however, issued when the passport was granted in this case, and Dr. Kludjian may have been ignorant of the danger he was incurring by returning to Turkey. It is also true that this Government insists that the laws of Turkey on the subject are contrary to enlightened international policy, are unjust and oppressive; and that this Government protects, so far as it can, Americans, formerly of Turkish allegiance, who gain admission to Turkey. A right to American protection and a renunciation of American citizenship are incompatible conditions, and Dr. Kludjian's claim to such protection can rest only upon the ground that his renunciation of American citizenship was brought about by duress under threats, and is therefore void. If the dragoman advised Kludjian to renounce his American citizenship, his acting on that advice does not make his renunciation void; actual duress must be shown. There is nothing to show that he was compelled to abjure his American nationality. He did it for his own convenience. Your action in refusing him a passport is therefore approved by the Department. I am, sir, etc., JOHN HAY. EXCHANGE OF COMPLIMENTS BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE SULTAN OF TURKEY ON THE RECURRENCE OF THE BAIRAM. Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (Mr. Leishman states that during a private audience following the Kurban Bairam ceremony on the morning of March 20, His Imperial Majesty the Sultan requested that his compliments and feelings of friendship be conveyed to the President of the United States.) FR 1902, PT 1—65 |