Mr. Wharton to Mr. Hirsch.
Washington, May 24, 1892.
Sir: Your No. 438, of April 30; your No. 441, of 6th instant, and your No. 443, of the 7th, relating to the obstacles thrown in the way of the Stamford Manufacturing Company at Alexandretta by the local authorities, are received.
Your representations against this unwarrantable interference with the rights of American citizens to build on their own lands are approved. The condition laid down by the authorities, that the company must bind itself to the destruction of its building by an Ottoman third party called a bondsman, in the event it is ever used for school or church purposes, is inadmissible. The demand should be resisted firmly and positively.
I am, etc.,
Acting Secretary.