Mr. Bayard to Mr. Cox.
Washington, August 29, 1885.
Sir: I have received a dispatch, No. 429, of the 7th instant, from Mr. Heap, consul-general at Constantinople, in reference to the expulsion from Safed, Palestine, of two American citizens, Louis Lubrowsky and brother, Hebrews by nativity, because of their religious faith. It appears that these brothers on their recent arrival at Safed were required to give bonds in the sum of 400 Turkish pounds to leave the country in ten days or obtain a special license to remain.
The facts in detail will be found narrated in the correspondence which, it seems, Mr. Heap brought to the attention of Mr. Emmet on the 22d ultimo and 3d instant. For this reason I do not inclose to you a copy of Mr. Heap’s dispatch, but you will immediately call upon him for such further particulars as you may desire, should the facts not be fully before your legation.
This case is commended to your attention as one in which the Department entertains the confidence that you will take the greatest interest and with which you will be competent to deal as a due regard for the rights of American citizens requires.
It is to be borne in mind, however, that those rights, under treaties, are to be measured in a certain degree by the rights conceded to other foreigners of the most favored nation You will be careful, therefore, to make no untenable demand as of right. But friendship and international comity entitle the United States to ask and expect that no race or class distinction shall be made as regards American citizens abroad, and this Government cannot acquiesce in any such prescriptive measures which compel its citizens to abandon Turkey solely on account of their religious proclivities.
Mr. Heap’s dispatch will acquaint you with the extent of his action and that of the consul at Beirut to prevent this wrong.
I am, &c.,