Mr. Terrell to Mr.
Olney.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, March 4, 1896.
(Received March 20.)
No. 835.]Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith copy
of my note No. 111, of the 11th ultimo, to the minister for foreign
affairs, in which he is informed that George Knapp had been instructed
not to submit himself to the jurisdiction of a Turkish court, and in
which the minister was informed of my reasons for such action, the
nature of which I trust you will approve.
Press of business at the time caused neglect in forwarding this note to
your Department at an earlier date.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure in No. 835.]
Mr. Terrell to
Tevfik Pasha.
Legation of the United States,
Constantinople, February 11, 1896.
Sir: I am informed that George Knapp, an
American citizen residing at Bitlis, has been summoned to a
cross-examination before a Turkish functionary in that city on
charges against him of a criminal nature.
I desire to inform your excellency that I can not possibly consent
that George Knapp shall submit himself to the jurisdiction of a
Turkish court, and that I have so telegraphed him.
If George Knapp has offended against the laws of Turkey he will be
punished under the provisions of the fourth article of the treaty of
1830 by myself or the consul-general of the United States.
The unfortunate seditious disturbances so recently occurring in the
[Page 902]
province of Bitlis
render it an improper place for the trial of an American citizen
against whom prejudices exist, especially at this time.
I trust your excellency will agree with me that it can not be to the
interest of your Government or of the United States to revive at
this time the old disagreement regarding the proper construction of
Article IV of the treaty of 1830, which relates to the question of
jurisdiction.
I hope that at some more auspicious time that disagreement may be
adjusted. At present I desire that proper orders may be given for
the sale conduct of George Knapp and family and for such American
ladies with children as may desire to come from Bitlis to
Constantinople.
I also desire that your excellency would be pleased to order that the
evidence against George Knapp may be sent to you that I may inspect
it. I wish that evidence for the information of my Government, that
it may understand whether one of its citizens has violated your
laws.
I have, etc.,
