No. 191.
Mr. Schuyler to Mr. Frelinghuysen.
Athens, March 22, 1884. (Received April 10.)
Sir: Referring to my dispatch No. 69, dated March 20, with regard to the difficulties of the American Bible Society, I have the honor to report that the prime minister informed me yesterday that the ministry of worship had received a telegram from the Eparch of Ithaca saying that no order had been issued to restrict the sale of the Bibles of the American Society. I have myself seen the telegram.
On communicating this to the agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society, who, in the absence of Mr. Kalopothakes, is acting for the American Bible Society, he handed me a telegram from the colporteur at Ithaca asking for further interference on my part to compel the Eparch to instruct the police authorities in the case. I refused to take any further steps at present, for it is evident that the Hellenic Government is pursuing no policy adverse to the interests of the society.
The courts seem to me the proper place to settle difficulties arising out of too much zeal on the part of minor officials.
I am, &c.,