Mr. Leishman to Mr. Hay.
Constantinople, September 25, 1903.
(Mr. Leishman reports that matters at Beirut remain unsettled; that the consul goes so far as to state that further riots are not unlikely, and Mr. Leishman is half inclined to believe that the Turks are secretly glad to have the United States squadron remain, as it exerts a good moral effect.
While strictly adhering to the noninterference policy in Turkish internal affairs, which the Department approved, Mr. Leishman has discreetly pointed out the danger of not having a proper governor at Beirut and the bad effect produced by the nomination of the dismissed [Page 783] governor to another important post, and states that it is quite within the range of probabilities that the objectionable nominations will be withdrawn and the present acting governor at Beirut given a permanent appointment, which would strengthen his hands and largely assist in establishing peace and security.)