the difficulties experienced in securing proper information from the different religious and educational bodies, that I concluded it was best to make an effort to get the matter settled in principle before submitting the list, especially as I had discovered that at least one-half the schools were without American teachers, being officered entirely by native teachers, which placed them on a somewhat different footing from other foreign schools. This position, however, proved to be untenable, and I was compelled to submit to the repeated demands of the Porte that a list be furnished, especially as I found that this course had been followed by the other powers, and I consequently did not feel warranted in demanding different treatment to that accorded other nations. My previous dispatches upon this subject will have given the Department some idea of the difficulties experienced by the legation in its efforts to secure an amicable settlement. * * ** I fully appreciate the interest our Government takes in the settlement of the school question, and I shall continue to use every effort to secure an early settlement. No stone has been left unturned and every peaceable means has been exhausted to force an amicable adjustment, and if the present line of action fails to bring about a settlement within a reasonable length of time, I will be compelled to ask the Department for further instructions. I have, etc., JOHN G. A. LEISHMAN. Mr. Loomis to Mr. Leishman. No. 408.] DEPARTMENT of State, SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your No. 444, of the 16th ultimo, reporting the difficulties experienced by your legation in transacting business at the Sublime Porte. The Department approves your course in addressing to the Porte a protest against the nonfulfillment of certain agreements concluded between the Sublime Porte and your legation. You will continue to press for the fulfillment of cases like these which have been settled by the solemn promise of the Porte. (Mr. Leishman reports that after exhausting every ordinary means to force the Sublime Porte to conclude the promised settling of the school and other matters he feels compelled to ask the Department of State for further instructions, as it appears useless for him to attempt to prosecute matters further on present lines, and unless some more forcible measure be adopted he fears the promised settlement of the school question will drag on indefinitely.) Mr. Loomis to Mr Leishman. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, (Mr. Loomis states that Mr. Leishman has already accomplished much, and instructs to continue to press for settlement of remaining matters, making some one school license a test case.) Mr. Hay to Mr. Leishman. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, September 8, 1903. (Mr. Hay states that Mr. Leishman should not treat failure to reply in regard to schools question as a refusal estopping further demands for fulfillment of pledges.) Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (Mr. Leishman reports that during a conversation on September 14 the grand vizier showed quite plainly a determination to resist, as far as possible, the settlement of any cases except the Beirut affair under pressure of presence of the United States squadron. Mr. Leishman states that he will continue gentle but firm pressure, but that it may become necessary to resort to sterner language in order to bring the Ottoman Government to a fuller realization of their obligations.) No. 575.] Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Constantinople, September 21, 1903. SIR: I am very sorry to report that very slow progress is being made in the matter of settlement of the different claims, despite the apparent desire of the minister for foreign affairs to arrive at a speedy adjustment. * * * * The minister for foreign affairs appears to be in earnest, and, despite present troubles, shows the most friendly spirit, so much so that I ventured to again request him to reconsider the decision made by his Government last December against being represented officially at the St. Louis Exposition. This he decided to do, and promised me that he would arrange to have an Imperial commission appointed (probably the Turkish minister at Washington), and I have arranged a meeting for Mr. Cridler, who is now here, in order that he may be able to take the matter up in detail, and I can only rest in the hope that the minister for foreign affairs will be able to put this promise into execution. I have, etc., JOHN G. A. LEISHMAN. Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay. [Telegram. Paraphrase.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Constantinople, October 21, 1903. (Mr. Leishman reports that the schools matter is meeting with very strong opposition on account of the great majority of the teachers being native, who are always suspected of secretly preaching seditiously, and fears this idea has been encouraged by foreign intrigue. Mr. Leishman states that he has refrained from assuming too aggressive an attitude, and still has the hope that quiet, unwavering, and determined stand will force a settlement within the next ten days.) Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (Mr. Leishman states that as even the congested state of affairs and the existing political complications have ceased to furnish sufficient excuse for the prolonged delay in settling the pending questions, he has somewhat strained his instructions and has ventured pretty close to a threat that unless the matters are settled without further delay something disagreeable may happen.) Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (Mr. Leishman reports that he has received two notes from the Sublime Porte, one with reference to American consular protection of Cuban citizens, and the other with reference to the insurance question. He has notified the Sublime Porte that unless the schools and other matters are settled within the next few days he will feel compelled to press the Beirut matter, intimating at the same time that if all other pending questions are satisfactorily settled, he will endeavor to smooth over the Beirut trouble.) Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.-Paraphrase.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, (Mr. Leishman states that as the Mohammedan lent commences on November 20 and lasts thirty days, during which period all business at the Porte is practically suspended, more drastic measures should be resorted to in order to force prompt settlement, as the Porte appears to be absolutely incapable of carrying out its numerous promises. The Sultan, whom Mr. Leishman has been unable to see personally, has allowed himself to be influenced into the belief that American schools are hotbeds of sedition, and he has taken a strong stand against complying with the demands of the Government of the United States, resting under the impression that no forcible action can be taken without Congressional authority. Mr. Leishman is satisfied that the minister for foreign affairs has made an earnest and honest effort to have his promises put into execution, but being without any real power and not even enjoying the right of direct access to the Sultan, his efforts have proved futile against the fanatical palace clique, whose advice has undoubtedly been stimulated by foreign influence. The Porte has acted favorably upon all pending questions, but is absolutely incompetent to complete them, and several matters recently adjusted have not as yet been put into execution. Mr. Leishman states that as Turkish affairs generally are in a rather unsettled condition, owing to complications arising out of the Macedonian trouble, he would feel disposed to recommend further patience if he thought it would be of the very least benefit, but is quite convinced that longer delay would prove injurious rather than helpful, being satisfied that patience has ceased to be a virtue. JOHN G. A. LEISHMAN. Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay. No. 653.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: Referring further to my telegram of November 15 last, I am unable to report any material change in the situation of school and other unsettled questions. The grand vizier and the minister for foreign affairs spend very little time at the Porte these days, and when I do succeed in seeing them I am politely put off on the score that nothing can be done until after Ramazan. In the absence of any instruction from the Department I continue the patient but persistent rôle I have been playing since January, at same time exerting every effort to preserve the friendly relations which, I am happy to say, remain unchanged, despite the rather complicated and disturbed conditions. So that I am in position to pursue any line of policy that the Department may dictate. I have, etc., JOHN G. A. LEISHMAN. No. 524.] INSURRECTION AND OUTRAGES IN MACEDONIA. Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: The political situation in Macedonia continues to grow worse each week. The revolt has become much more general and the outrages committed by the revolutionists more barbarous and on a much larger scale than heretofore, the bands having increased both in size and number. The delicate situation has been further strained during the past week by the death of the Russian consul at Monastir who was shot by a Turkish sentinel. Up to the present time the Turkish Government has acted with commendable patience and forbearance and have prevented both the non-Bulgarian population and the troops from making reprisals for the numerous depredations committed by the bands, such as blowing up bridges and buildings with dynamite, destruction of crops, burning of villages, and the killing of hundreds of inoffensive people, including women and children. The fear of massacres and possible consequent intervention of the European powers is no doubt largely responsible for the great forbearance shown by the Turks so far, but should the outrages continue, which is altogether likely, it is only reasonable to suppose that sharp reprisals will occur, which, in all probability, would result in open hostilities. The reports from Armenia are somewhat disquieting, but if there should be a sympathetic outbreak I am inclined to believe that it will be confined to certain spots and not a general uprising, and while reprisals by the Turks would no doubt follow, I do not share the belief of many that a repetition of the massacres of 1896 is imminent. * * * While there is no evidence at present to warrant any fear of harm befalling American citizens, I have deemed it prudent to warn the missionaries in the interior to exercise care, a copy of my note to Mr. Peet being inclosed herewith. I also inclose copy of a dispatch just received from our consular agent at Salonica reporting upon the local situation. I have, etc., [Inclosure 1.] JOHN G. A. LEISHMAN. Mr. Leishman to Mr. Peet. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: While I have no particular reason to feel alarmed in regard to the personal safety of American citizens in Macedonia, in view of the fact that the insurrectionary movement is becoming more general and outrages and assaults on villages a daily |