Legation of
the United States,
Constantinople, April 2, 1892.
(Received April 16.)
No. 420.][Inclosure in No. 420.]
Mr. Hirsch to
Said Pasha.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, April 2,
1892.
The legation of the United States begs to bring to the attention of the
imperial ministry of foreign affairs a report of United States consul
Emmet, at Smyrna, to the effect that the American citizen Bartlett,
residing in said city, presented himself on March 3 to the proper
authorities to complete the transfer of some real property which he had
arranged to purchase from James P. McNaughton, an English subject, also
residing at Smyrna.
As a condition for the issuance of the necessary documents, the officials
required of Mr. Bartlett that he give a bond or guaranty to the effect
that nothing in the form of a church or school would be erected on the
premises, compliance with which he refused.
The authorities, then claiming to have an order for the required guaranty
or bond from the ministry of the interior, informed Mr. Bartlett that
the instrument for the completion of the purchase could not be issued,
in consequence of which he has been unable to complete the purchase of
the said land.
Inasmuch as the protocol, which grants to foreigners the right to buy
lands in Turkey, contains no clause which would justify any such
requirement from an intending purchaser of land such as the Smyrna
authorities endeavored to exact, it is evident that the order of the
ministry of the interior has been misconstrued by the provincial
officials.
The legation of the United States therefore begs the imperial ministry of
foreign affairs to cause such orders to be issued as will enable my
countryman to avail himself of the rights guarantied to him by solemn
treaty.
