AMERICAN RIGHTS IN TURKEY.
IN February, 1903, the American Minister at Constantinople filed with the Turkish Government a list of American religious, educational, and benevolent institutions in the empire, and demanded for them the same rights and privileges already accorded to similar institutions under France, Russia, and other countries. Over a year and a half passed without any exception being taken to the list as filed, thus tacitly recognizing the tabulated institutions as American. During the presence of the American fleet in the harbor of Smyrna last summer, his majesty the sultan repeatedly assured the United States Minister that these institutions already had all the rights and privileges accorded those of other nations, and that a formal declaration of that fact in sealed documents was not necessary. These documents, however, were promised, and upon the strength of the promise the fleet was ordered away. No documentary recognition was given. In October of last year, under instructions from Washington, Mr. Jay, the chargé d’affaires at Constantinople, declared that all of the institutions on the list presented in 1903 are now considered as having been officially recognized, and “by virtue of that recognition are entitled to the same treatment, privileges, and immunities in their respective classes that are accorded to similar institutions of other nationalities. Among these privileges is that of exemption from taxation.” The various heads of these several institutions were instructed by Mr. Jay not to pay taxes, but to refer all demands to the Legation. The situation is simply this: that our Legation has taken the sultan at his own word, and it devolves upon him to show why these American institutions should not act upon the belief that he spoke the truth when he declared them as already recognized, and thus exempt from taxation. The burden of proof and action now rests upon him.—Missionary Herald.