Mr. Newberry to Mr.
Foster.
Legation of
the United States,
Constantinople, September 7, 1892.
(Received September 27.)
No. 536.]Sir: Referring to my No. 526 I have received a
further communication (copy inclosed) from Dr. Bowen of the American Bible
Society, with regard to the seizure of a box of bibles by the authorities at
Alachan and their refusal to allow the society colporteur to transact his
business. This matter is some six weeks old. Two notes have been written to
the Porte about it, and I called on the grand vizier, who promised that
peremptory orders would be sent to deliver up the bibles, and that the
colporteur must not be further molested. Evidently no attention has been
paid to requests. I feel called upon to ask the Department to intrust me
with such instructions as will compel granting of the necessary
satisfaction.
I have, etc.,
H. R. Newberry,
Chargé d’Affaires ad interim.
P. S.—The grand vizier assured me to-day that he would immediately send
an order by telegraph to have the bibles delivered up and that the
colporteur should not be further molested.
[Inclosure in No. 536.]
Mr. Bowen to Mr.
Newberry.
American Bible Society, Levant Agency,
Bible House, Constantinople,
August 20, 1892.
Dear Mr. Newberry: Three weeks have now elapsed
since you were assured by the grand vizier that stringent orders had
been sent to Alachan in regard to the colporteur there. I am sorry to
inform you that there has been no relief in the situation there. The
colporteur is still forbidden to go about his work, according to the
usual custom, and the authorities there have been attempting to induce
him to give security that he would not do what we employ him to do, and
what the laws regulating colportage permit him to do. In addition to
this the box of our books which I have already informed you had been
seized by the authorities at Alachan is still retained.
It seems to me highly desirable that we demand that this whole business
be now closed by means of the telegraphic service. We have waited three
weeks for the tedious process of corresponding by post, and absolutely
nothing has come from it By telegram the whole matter can be easily
settled in two or three days.
Thanking you for your interest in the case, and hoping for something
decisive,
I am, yours, respectfully,
