[Inclosure 1.]
Mr. Kludjian to
Mr. Leishman.
Alexandretta, Syria, November 10, 1901.
Dear Sir: I am an Armenian naturalized
citizen of the United States of America; lived in the United States
since 1889; left the United States in the month of June, 1900;
obtained a passport from Washington; came here to end my business
relations in Turkey and return to the United States as soon as
possible; was quarantined at Beirut; my passport was indorsed by the
Turkish Government at Beirut; arrived at this port in August, 1900;
was refused admission to this port with my passport; sent with a
messenger my letter of recommendation addressed to the United States
consul here, which I obtained from the United States consulate at
Marseilles, France; was detained at the seashore, guarded by the
police, waiting for protection by our representative here; my
messenger returned and informed me that the consul was at his summer
home, about 8 or 10 miles away from here. I sent my messenger again
to the office of the consulate to see if there was not any
substitute or an acting officer in his place, but he was refused any
interview whatever. Then I sent my messenger again, feeling assured
that some one should surely be in the office to look out for the
interests of the United States. My messenger came back with the
instruction given by the dragoman or interpreter of the consulate
that there was no other way but to give up my passport and become a
Turkish subject.
I sent my messenger again to the dragoman, begging of him to obtain
permission from the Turkish Government for me to remain here for a
period of one or two weeks.
No United States representative appeared in my defense. Then I was
ordered to go back into the steamer in which I came and was taken
here at once. The steamer I sailed from Beirut to this port in was a
Turkish one named Dolma-Baghtché. The crew
and the officers of the steamer belonged to the military.
Fearful of the dreadful feature of things, I had to give up my
passport in the boat and land. A few days after my landing I had the
opportunity of seeing the United States consul, and he informed me
that I was no more an American citizen and advised me not to come
around the office, as he was afraid himself.
[Page 1024]
I left Alexandretta and went to my home, Deurt-Yole, about 18 miles
from here.
While trying to cut my business relations with my brothers, I was
called by the governor 01 the State of Adana to the State capital,
the city of Adana. I went to Adana, and after strict
cross-examinations I was asked to furnish bond or go to prison. I
furnished bond and was left free under close watch with the
condition that I should remain in Adana until I was notified
otherwise. I remained in Adana six weeks conditionally, then was
cast into the prison of the capital. My imprisonment was six mpnths.
During all this period I wished to beg the protection of my adopted
and much-loved country, but considering the possible national bitter
feeling that might be caused between the two nations, I hesitated to
do so; and as there is an Imperial order according to which any
person living in Turkey could have the privilege of leaving Turkey
under condition of not returning any more, I thought of taking
advantage of the same order in the absence of other means.
Now I am in perfect readiness to leave this country for the United
States (Boston), where I have received my education, and where I
have made my home, practicing medicine, since 1894.
I respectfully present to you a copy of my naturalization papera inclosed herein.
Awaiting your advice, etc.,
[Inclosure 2.]
Mr. Dickinson
to Mr. Leishman.
United States Consulate-General,
Constantinople, January 4, 1902.
Sir: I beg to acknowledge the legation’s
No. 113 of November 20, 1901, covering a letter from Dr. A. H.
Kludjian written from Alexandretta, and asking me to investigate the
matter.
I would refer you to Consul Davis’s No. 13a to the legation, of August 11, 1900, in
which he stated that in order to gain admission to this country he
(Kludjian) had to renounce his citizenship, but as it appeared from
his letter to the legation, which I return herewith, that he was
prepared and anxious to leave this country for the United States, in
referring the matter to Consul Davis I asked him to have Dr.
Kludjian make an application for a passport in proper form, which I
would submit to the legation and ask that he be granted a
passport.
I now beg to inclose his passport applicationa in duplicate, together with
a certificate of citizenship,a and to
enable him to leave this country for his adopted home I would
request you to grant him the necessary passport.
I am, etc.,
