The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-04

the production oil Spanish territofits. a
commercial arfange44-ent Was conciuded
In January last SECURING the treatment
so claimed.
Vigorous protests against excessive fnes
imposed on cur ships ana merchandise
Dy the customs oIucers OF these ISLANDS
Tor trivial errors have resulted Ia the
remission or such fines IA Instances WneFe
the equity OF the complaint was appar-
ent. though the vexatlous practice has
not been wholly discontinued.
Occurrences IN Turkey have continued
TO excite concern. The reported nassa-
cres OF Christians in Armenia and the
development there and in other districts
OF a spirit Of fanatic hostility to Chris
tlan influences naturally excited appre-
hcnsiOl FOR the safety OF the devoted
men and women who, as dependents OF
me foreign missionary societies in the
United States. reside in Turkey under
the guarantee of law and usage and the
legitimate performance of their educa-
tlonal and religious mission. No efforts
nave been spared in their behalf. and
their protection I'm person and property
has been earnestly end vigorously en-
forced BY every means within our power
AMERICANS IN TURKEY.
resret, however, that an attempt On
our part TO obtain better information
concerning the true condition OF affairs
IN the disturbed quarter OF the Ottoman
Empire by sending thither the United
states Consul at Siyas to make investi-
objections Of the Turkish government
This movement on our part was In no
sense meant as "a gratultOus ENGAGEMENT
OF the United States in the sO-callcd
eastern questions nor. as an Oflicous in
reference with the right and duty which
belong by treaty 10 certain great Eu-
ropean powers. calling for their inter-
Vention in political matters affecting the
good government and religious freedom
Of the nonM ussulman subjects OF the
FraV
sire TO have an accurate knowledge of the
conditions in our efforts to care for those
entitled 10 our protection.
The presence of our naval vessels, when
are now Ia the vicinity or the disturbed
localities. affords opportunities to acquire
a measure Of familiarity with the condi-
ton of affairs. and will enable us 10
take suitable steps for the protection OF
any interests of our countrymen vitnln
reach OF our ships that might be found
imDerilied.
The Ottoman government has lately
issued an Imperial Trade exempting for
ever from taxation an american college
for girls az Soutari. Repeated asstr-
ances have also been obtained by orr
envoy AZ Constantnople that similar in
stitutiOns maintained and administered
by our countfymen shall he secured in
the enjoyment Of al RIGHTS. and that
our citizens throughout the Empire shall
be protected.
PROMISES NOT ACCEPTED.
The government, nON,Nea, LA view OF
eAlstln5 Iacts - iar II OIL ieiylns upon
sucn assurances do the mint o. It, uuty-
Our Minister has peen vIsilant and alert
in anOromS All possible protection IN
lndiyldual cases Wnefe DANGER threaten
ed or safety imperlIed. Ne have sent
snIps az lar TOWARD the points oI actual
disturbance as IL Is possible Tor them 10
20, where they offer refuge TO those
Obliged 10 flee, ana We have the promise
of al
neighDOrhOOd that our Citizens, as well
as theirs, viii be received ana protected
Oh board those ships.
on the demand Oh our Minister, orders
have been issued by the sultan that TURK
ish soldiers shall guard and escort 20 the
coast American refugees. These orders
have been carried out ana our intelll-
gence gives assurance OF the present per-
sonal safety of our citizens ana mission
aries. Though thus far no lives of Amer
lean citizens have been sacrificed, there
can be no doubt that serious loss and
destruction of mission property have re-
suited from rlOtOus conflicts and OUT
rageOus attacks.
BY treaty several OF the most powerful
European powers have secured right
TO assume a duty not only IN behar
Of their own citizens ana IN furtherauce
of their own interests, but as agents OF
the Christian world. Their right Is 10
enforce such conduct of Turkish govern
ment as Will restrain fanatical brutality,
and II this fails their duty is 10 so ister-
fere as 10 insure against such dreduiui
occurrences I'm Turkey ~ have lately
shocked civilization.
The powers declare this right and this
duty TO be theirs alone. and II Is earnest
~ hoped that prompt and effective action
on their part will not be delayed.
The new consulates az Erzeroum ana
Harpot for which appropriation was
made last session. have been provisional
ly filed by trusted employees OF the De
partment OF state THESE appointees'
though now I'm Turkey have not yet re-
ceived their exequaturs.
VENEZUELAN DISPUTES.
The arbitration OF the claim OF the
Venezuela Steam Transportation COmpa-
ny under the treaty of January 10, lN2
between the United States and Venezu-
Ella resulted in an award IN favor OF the
claimant
The government has used its good Off
ces tow ards composing the diterences be
tween Venezuela on the one hand ana
France and Belgium on the other. grow
ing out Of the dismissal or the represth-
tatives OF those powers on the ground OF
a publication deemed offensive 10 Nene-
zuela Although that dismissal was cou-
pled with a cordial request that other
more personally agreeable ENJOYS be sent
I'm their stead. a rupture OF intercourse
ensued. and still continues.
In view Of the growth OF our interests
prospects for a general expansion OF our
commerce. the question of an improve
ment I'm the Consular service has increas-
ed in importance and urgency Ihough
there is no doubt that the great body or
Consular officers are rendering valuable
service TO the trade and industries or
the country. the need Of some plan Of APP
pontment and control which would tend
TO secure higher average OF efficiency
cannot be denied.
BETTER CONSULAR SERVICE.
The Importance of the subject has led
the executive 10 consider what steps
might properly be taken without adui-
tiOnal legislation 10 answer the need OF
a better system OF consular appointments.
The matter having been committed 10
the consideration Of the Secretary or
state, in pursuance of his recommended
tons, an executive order was issued on
the goth Of September, 1855, by the terms
OF which il Is provided that after that
date any vacancy in consulate or com
mercial agency with an annual salary or
from official fees OF not
more than $500, or less than Sl,ooJ. should
be filed either by transfer or promotion
from some other position under the De-
partment Of state Of a character tending
to qualify the incumbent for the position
to he filled. or by the appointment OF a
person not under the Department OF
State. but OF having previously served
Hereunder and shown his capacity ana
fitness for consular duty, or by the APP
pointment OF a person who, having been
selected bv the President and sent 10 a
board of examination. is found, upon
such examination. TO be qualined for the
position. Posts which pay less than Sl,vC
being usually. on account or their small
filed BY selection from res
idents OF the locality. il was not deemed
practicable under the new system
The compensation Of $500 was adopted
as the maximum limit IN the classifica-
ton for the reason that consular oincers
receiving more than that sum arc oI'eh