The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-06-26
GEN. LEW. WALLACE.
An Interesting Talk Concerning American
Interests in Turkey.
New York Sun.

Interests in Turkey.
New York Sun.
Gen. Lew Wallace, American minister to
Turkey, arrived in this city on board the Gallia,
at 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon, accompanied by
his wife He was as brown a Turk, with the
additional element of sun burned nose, which
he contracted during the sea voyage. His mus
tache is long, and gray, and fierce while his
goatee to match makes him look like marshal
of France.
''This," said he to reporter of the Sun last
night, sis the happiest day have seen since
started out for Turkey three years ago. I've
only got two months to stay over here, and I'm
going to put all in them that | can. The first
thing that did when got here was to get to an
American hotel, and the next thing was to eat
pancakes with butter and syrup. I've been eat
ing them almost the whole time since and wash
ing them down with milk There is nothing
like American cooking
"What about Turkey? There are certain
questions pending of which can't speak The
opium question: No; can't tell you anything
about that because that is diplomatic business.
But l can tell you about lots of other things.
There has been a lot of talking about the Porte
having refused to allow American ships
to pass the Dardanelles. Admiral Baldwin,
commanding the American squadron on the
Mediterranean, telegraphed me from Smyrna
that he received orders to sail up to Constantine
pie, if agreeable to the Turkish authorities,
and for me to apply for a permit to pass his
flagship through the Dardanelles. 1 telegraphed
back that the flag ship was too large. He then
proposed that the permit be applied for for the
Quinnebaug, second-rate vessel and in that
shape sent in an application to the Porte. For
some reason or other the affair was delayed and
Admiral Baldwin arrived at the Dardanelles
before the permit had been obtained. Then 1
went to the palace and saw the Sultan
himself, and explained the matter to him He
at once gave orders that the vessel be allowed
to pass. Not only that, but he sent for the
admiral, received him at the palace, an in
vited him to dine treating him with the
greatest distinction, as he does all Americans
who come properly accredited. All this talk
about a threatened war, and about Baldwin
forcing the Dardanelles is pure invention.
What have told you is the whole business in a
nutshell, and now will tell you about my row
with the Sultan in another nutshell.
1.-TWO Americans who were travelling in the
southern provinces, were waylaid on the high
road by party Of armed Turks. Both were
brutally beaten, and one of them received ten
sword cuts. They were then dragged into the
bushes and left for dead. That they did not
die was miracle. One of them was a doctor
After long while he recovered consciousness.
He dressed his own wounds as well as he could
and took care of his companion. Together they
made their way to a neghborng village, and
am happy to say that they are both alive
now. No steps were taken by the Turks, but
as soon as the matter came to my ears l insisted
that the men who had committed the crime be
tried and punished Nothing was done, or at
least things were dragged along without result.
do not care to say what was the animus Of the
authorities in acting as they did, but l can as
sure you that when the Turks want to they are
well able to deal out justice, and that had the