No. 543.
Mr. Wallace to Mr. Frelinghuysen.
[Extract.]
Legation of
the United States,
Constantinople, May 19, 1883.
(Received June 11.)
No. 219.]
Sir: I have the honor to report the receipt
yesterday of a communication from his highness the minister of foreign
affairs, upon the subject of the tariff, which, following the course
heretofore indicated of referring this matter to your primary consideration,
I make haste to transmit to you by copy and translation.
One point I anticipate you will wish to be informed of, and I therefore
venture to say that, of the commercial treaties existing between Turkey and
powers other than our own, that with France continues in force several
years; by neglect of the Turks to give due notice of denouncement, that with
Italy continues yet another term of seven years; while, as respects Russia,
M. Nelidoff, ambassador here, is in exchange of notes with the Sublime
Porte, his contention being, as I understand, that under the “favored
nation” clause the existing tariff cannot be summarily concluded so as to
place like commodities of Russia at a disadvantage. If all the treaties are
concluded, and a new tariff of similar general operation is effected with
all the powers alike, well enough.
* * * * * * *
I beg to say that I wait your instructions upon this important business with
great interest.
Very respectfully, &c.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
219.—Translation.]
Aarifi Pasha to Mr.
Wallace.
Sublime
Porte, May 17,
1883.
Mr. Envoy: The tariff of customs concluded
between the Sublime Porte and the Government of the United States of
America having ceased to have a legal force since the 13th of March
last, the imperial Government has decided to collect hereafter the dues
of 8 per cent, ad valorem on the goods imported
in Turkey until a new arrangement takes place.
As this measure is to be put into execution immediately in all the
custom-houses of the Empire, the competent administration has received
the necessary orders accordingly.
In bringing this decision to the knowledge of your excellency, I beg you
to accept, &c.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 219.]
Mr. Wallace to
Aarifi Pasha.
United
States Legation,
Constantinople, May 19,
1883.
Highness: I beg to acknowledge receipt of your
note of the 17th instant, informing me that the customs tariff concluded
between the Sublime Porte and the Government of the United States having
ceased on the 13th March last, the imperial Government has decided to
collect hereafter 8 per cent, dues ad valorem
upon the merchandise imported into Turkey until a new arrangement is
effected, and that this measure will be put into immediate
operation.
[Page 842]
Your highness will pardon me for remarking that in a communication
addressed to this legation, dated the 12th of March last, you were
pleased to quote from the treaty of commerce between the countries the
clause respecting the right of the parties, respectively, to revise or
make an end of the treaty, and then formally declare “that the treaty of
commerce concluded between the two countries on the 25th of February,
1862, will cease to be in force on the expiration of one year from the
date of the present notification.”
Now, the tariff about which you are good enough to write me has its
virtue in the first instance in the treaty, coexists with the treaty,
and, in my opinion, can only expire with the treaty, unless its earlier
expiration is with the assent of both the high parties. For this, and
other reasons not necessary to be now given, I am constrained to object
to the decision your highness now serves upon me, and to protest against
its enforcement here and elsewhere.
The affair has been referred to my superiors in Washington for their
instructions.
I avail, &c.,
