Judicial Protection for Americans in Turkey Under the New Turkish-American Treaty

Prior to the World War, Americans, as well as the nationals of other Christian Powers in Turkey, enjoyed judicial protection, or, to be more accurate, immunity from Turkish laws and the Turkish judicial system under the so-called "Capitulations". These Capitulations were granted to the various Christian nations by treaties entered into by the Sublime Porte and the various Powers. The immunity and the special status granted by them extended not only to the persons of the nationals in question, but also to their residences, institutions, commerce and Interests of all sorts. They provided for many privileges and immunities which were not enjoyed by these nationals in their own countries.