Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1894-12-26
NO JOINT PROTEST.
to be Afraid of Precipitat-
ing a War.

Washington, D. c., Dec OFT is in
timated in diplomatic circles here that the
Turkish government is being rather I'M
justly criticised for interposing obstacles
to the pursuit of an inquiry by United
States Consul levitt into the Armenian
outrages and that, as a matter of fact,
the Porte is following this line of action
under pressure of some one or more of the
great European powers which have man
aged to keep in the background up to
this time
The reasons assigned for this state of
affairs relate to the very foundations of
European politics. The remainder of the
powers of Europe which were parties to
the Berlin treaty, whereby the welfare
of the Christians in Armenia was guaran-
teed, are at present so strained that any
attempt at joint Intervention in their be-
half would be likely to lead to great fric-
ton, and, in the end, even to a war.
Therefore it is extremely desirable that
the commission which will investigate Ar
menian affairs should minimize the dis
turbances to point where a simple re-
monstrance to the Porte would be suffi-
cient without a recourse to the armed
demonstration which would surely be re-
CURED by united public opinion of the civ
lllzed world were all of the facts disclosed
III their nakedness. With a commission
composed of complaisant members APP
pointed by interested nations this may be
easily managed, but with an attachment
in the shape of an American consul, who
will not be in any degree amenable to
any pressure which could be brought to
bear on him by other commissioners and
who will be sure also to tell the exact
truth, the work of the commission would
come to naught if it in the slightest de-
gree conflicted with the findings of the
independent American investigator, which
would carry conviction to the public be-
cause of his assured impartiaity.
Vienna, Dec. 22.-Advices received here
from Constantinople say that the Porte
objects to part Of the Instructions given
who are to follow with the Armenian COM
mission. The powers, however, with the
exception of Germany, refuse to modify
their instructions, and it is understood that
Great Britain is now determined to make
an impartial inquiry into the stories told
insist upon the punishment of the guilty
persons. In addition, should the present
inquiry fail to be as thorough as Great
Britain expects, she will demand the APP
pointment of a fresh commission.
The German ambassador, on the other
hand is reported to be agreeable to the
Sultan'S request for q modification of the
instructions given to the German delegate
and he is said to be trying to arrange for
similar notifications upon the part of the
| three other powers-Great Britain, France
and Russia. But the latter are said to be
! firmly resolved not to give into the Sultan
and not to listen to the request of the
| German ambassador
During the evening of Thursday last
| the situation of affairs at Constantinople
| was very strained, and a council of min
listers was held at the palace. The Sui
tan, upon that occasion, was to have
come to a decision in regard to the ac4
ceptance or rejection of the instructions
given to the delegates. 1t was expected
however, that the Sultan would yield
before the determined attitude of the
powers.
All papers containing accounts of the
Armenian Outrages continue to be con-
| iiscated at the Turkish frontier.