Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay.
Constantinople, December 13, 1903.
Sir: Referring further to my telegram of November 15 last, I am unable to report any material change in the situation of school and other unsettled qnestions.
The grand vizier and the minister for foreign affairs spend very little time at the Porte these days, and when I do succeed in seeing them I am politely put off on the score that nothing can be done until after Ramazan.
In the absence of any instruction from the Department I continue the patient but persistent role I have been playing since January, at same time exerting every effort to preserve the friendly relations which, I am happy to say, remain unchanged, despite the rather complicated and disturbed conditions. So that I am in position to pursue any line of policy that the Department may dictate.
I have, etc.,