Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay.
Constantinople, August 11, 1902.
(Mr. Leishman reports that the Sultan has expressed, through the private secretary, the wish that Mr. Leishman would overlook the discourtesy [Page 1045] shown him, on the ground that the grand vizier is an old man and not feeling well, and call on the grand vizier on August 12.
Mr. Leishman has felt compelled to firmly but politely refuse to comply with this wish, on the ground that, although such a course might perhaps result in the settlement of some of the immediate questions at issue, it would, under present conditions, neither be compatible with the dignity of the Government of the United States nor settle the important principles involved; for, unless agreements which have been concluded between Mr. Leishman and the minister for foreign affairs are to be respected, it would be both undignified and useless for the representative of a great power such as the United States to attempt to prosecute its business through such a powerless intermediary.
Mr. Leishman expresses the conviction that good results will ensue from his firm stand.)