Mr. Hirsch to Mr.
Blaine.
Legation of
the United States,
Constantinople, January 29, 1892.
(Received February 12.)
No. 383.]
Sir: Referring to my No. 379, I have now the honor
to inclose herewith a clipping from the Levant Herald, of January 27, 1892,
with English translation, containing the order lately issued in relation to
schools.
It does not appear that any of the other missions here have taken any steps
at the Sublime Porte in behalf of their schools, but I am officially
informed that Mr. Fane, the British chargé d’affaires, will apply to London
for instructions. Copies of my notes to the Porte, Nos. 86 and 87, of
January 9, have, by request, been furnished by me to the embassy.
The powers mainly interested in schools in this Empire (aside from the United
States) are England, France, and Italy. I do not doubt but they will take
some action in the premises.
I have, etc.
[Inclosure in No. 383.—Translation from the
Levant Herald of January 27, 1892.]
schools.
It is categorically forbidden to build hereafter, to found and open
without official authorization schools or to transform dwelling houses
into schools, either in Constantinople or in the provinces of the
Empire. In the contrary case, the competent authorities will impede the
transformation of a dwelling into a school or the opening of an
establishment of instruction, and inform the Sublime Porte.
All the schools previously opened without authorization must be provided
with it in a period to be determined ad hoc. It
will be proceeded to the closing of those which would have not, at the
expiration of that period, obtained that authorization, and the
prescriptions of Article 129 of the regulation on public instruction
will be applied with regard to persons who would act against the
law.
These measures, sanctioned by an Imperial iradé, have just been
communicated by the ministry of the interior to the provincial
authorities—the ministry of public instruction brought them to the
knowledge of the directors of public instruction.
It is therefore evident that the foundation, the opening of the schools,
and the transformation of a dwelling into a school, shall not be made
except with an official authorization, as it is above stated.
The directors, founders, and competent authorities of all the schools,
without exception, previously opened at Constantinople and its suburbs,
which have not yet obtained the official authorization of the ministry
of public instruction must, in a period of a month and a half from the
date of the present notice, address to the said ministry and request the
necessary authorization.
In default, at the expiration of this period, those schools shall be
closed in conformity with the Imperial iradé which sanctions these
measures, and Article 129 of the regulation on public instruction.
