Mr. Hirsch to Mr.
Blaine.
Legation of
the United States,
Constantinople, January 25, 1892.
(Received February 12.)
No. 380.]Sir: The inclosed verbal note from the Sublime
Porte, in which the legation is requested to instruct United States consuls
in the interior to refuse protection to the natives of this Empire
naturalized as American citizens, who, as the note states, furtively betake
themselves to America and after obtaining citizen papers return to their
native country, and whose acquired citizenship is not recognized by the
Ottoman Government, in virtue of their law forbidding a Turkish subject to
expatriate himself without the Imperial consent, has been received from the
Sublime Porte.
Conversing with the grand vizier upon this subject, his highness spoke of the
impossibility of acknowledging the claims of this class of citizens, and
said, “Your laws on naturalization are your own internal affair; our laws on
the matter must be observed in the Empire.” I said that I trusted such
orders might be everywhere given as should cause every United States
passport presented to be respected, and before closing the interview it was
understood that this note reopened the question of naturalization now, since
more than a year in suspense, and which the vizier plainly showed it was his
desire to settle.
Acting upon the tenor of our conversation, I deemed it advisable to also take
some steps at the palace, from which quarter, it may be remembered, the last
opposition came, and consequently Surreya Pacha, private secretary to the
Sultan, and who has His Majesty’s ear, has been informed of what passed at
the Porte and the position which this legation has taken in the
question.
A reply has been sent to the Porte’s note which, as may be seen from the
inclosed copy, is brief and in the sense of my verbal reply to the grand
vizier, viz, that our naturalization law provides for the protection of
every validly naturalized citizen in all lawful necessities, wherever he may
be, and that I expect American passports to be everywhere and always
respected.
Information concerning whatever progress may be made in this negotiation will
be furnished to the Department.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
380.—Translation.]
Said Pasha to Mr.
Hirsch.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Constantinople, January 9,
1892.
It appears from a report of the prefecture of police that a certain
number of Ottoman subjects, inhabitants of Asiatic Turkey, betake them
furtively to America, and after remaining there for some time, return to
their country provided with American passports, and claiming to pass as
citizens of the Republic.
[Page 534]
As, according to the Ottoman law on nationalities, Ottomans have not the
right to acquire foreign naturalization without having first obtained
the authorization of His Imperial Majesty the Sultan, the Sublime Porte
is unable to admit illegal changes of this nature, and begs the United
States legation to kindly send instructions to its consuls and agents in
the Empire that they may not eventually give their protection to this
category of individuals—natives of the country—in order to prevent
difficulties with the Imperial authorities.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 380.]
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, January 22,
1892.
The United States legation has received the verbal note which the
minister of foreign affairs did it the honor to address to it under date
of January 9th, relating to a report of the prefecture of police with
regard to certain Ottoman subjects, who, after becoming naturalized
citizens of the United States, return to their native country, and whose
citizenship is held by the Sublime Porte to be invalid, in virtue of the
law forbidding Ottoman subjects to expatriate themselves without the
Imperial permission.
In reply this legation begs to point out that five years’ continuous
residence in the United States, and the fulfillment of certain
conditions prescribed by law, entitle a foreigner to admission to
citizenship, if he may so desire, and to all the rights and privileges
of an American citizen, among which is the right of travel, either for
business or pleasure. Anyone in the Empire duly in possession of an
American passport is entitled to the protection of the United States
Government. This legation, in consequence finds itself unable to comply
with the request contained in the aforesaid verbal note that orders be issued to the United States consuls
in the Empire to refuse protection to those naturalized American
citizens, and permits itself to hope that instructions may be given to
the minister of police that shall insure the respect due to every
American passport presented.
