Delaware gazette and state journal., 1895-12-05

on our part to obtain better informal
tiou concerning the true condition of
affairs in the disturbed quarter Of the
Ottoman Empire, by sending thither
the United States Consul at Sivas to
make investigation and report, was
thwarted by the objections Of the
Turkish government. This movement
on our part was in no sense meant as a
gratuitous ENHANCEMENT of the United
States in the called Eastern ques-
tion, nor as an officious interference
with the right and duty which belong
by treaty to certain great European
powers, calling for their Intervention in
political matters affecting the good
government and religious freedom of
the non -Mussuman subject of the Sui
tan, but it arose solely from our desire
to have an accurate knowledge OF the
conditions in our efforts TO care for
those entitled to our protection.
The presence of our naval vessels
which are now in the vicinity of the
disturbedsl dslocaities affords opportuni-
ties to acquire measure of familiarity
with the condition of affairs, and will
enable us to take suitable steps for the
protection Of any interests of our
countrymen within reach of our ships
that might be found imperiled. The
Ottoman government has lately issued
an imperial TRADE exempting foreSer,
from taxation an American college foR
girls at Scutari. Repeated assurances
have also been obtained by our envoy
at Constantinople that similar institu-
tions maintained and administered by
our countrymen shall be secure in the
enjoyment of all rights, and that our
citizens throughout the Empire shall
be protected.
The government, however, in view
of existing facts, is far from relying
upon such assurances as the limit of
its duty. Our minister has been vigi
liant and alert in affording all possible
protection in individual cases where
periled. We have sent ships as far
toward to the points Of actual dis
turbance as it is possible for them to
go, where they offer refuge to those
Obliged TO flee, and we have the
promise of other powers which have
ships in the neighborhood that our
citizens, as well as theirs, will be re-
ceived and protected on board those
ships. On the demand of our minister,
orders have been issued by the Sultan
that Turkish soldiers shall guard and
escort to the coast American refugees.
These orders have been carried out,
and our latest intelligence gives assur-
ance Of the present personal safety of
our citizens and missionaries. Though
thus far no lives of American citizens
have been sacrificed, there can be no
doubt that serious loss and destruction
of mission property have resulted from
riotous conflicts and outrageous attacks.
By treaty of several of the most pow
| erful European powers have secured as
right and have assumed duty not only
in behalf of their own citizens and in
furtherance of their own interests, but
as agents of the Christian world. Their
right is to enforce such conduct OF
Turkish government as will restrain
fanatical brutality, and If this fails
| their duty is to so interfere as to insure
against such dreadful occurrences in
Turkey as have lately shocked civiliza-
tion. The powers declare this right
and this duty to be theirs alone. and
it is earnestly hoped that prompt and
effective action on their part will not
be delayed. The new consulates at
Erzeroum and Harpoot, for which ap-
propriation was made last session, have
been Professionally filled by trusted em-
poyes of the Department of State.
These appointees, though now in Tur-
key, have not yet received their
exequaturs.
The arbitration of the claim of the vene-
zuela Steam Transportation Company under
the treaty of January 10. 1892, between the
United States and Venezuela, resulted in
an award in favor of the claimant.
| The government has used its good offices
toward composing the differences between
Venezuela on the one hand, and France and
Belgium on the other, growing out of the
| dismissal of the representatives Of those
powers on the ground OF publication
deemed offensive to Venezuela. Although
that dismissal was coupled with a cordial
request that other more personally agree
able envoys be sent in their stead rupture
Of intercourse ensued, and stlll continues
OUR CONSULAR SYSTEM.
In view OF the growth of our interests in
foreign countries and the encouraging pros
poets for general expansion of our COM
merce, the question of an improvement in
the consular service has increased In i'm
portance and urgency. Though there is no
doubt that the great body of consular Off
GERS are rendering valuable service to the
trade and industries of the country, the
need of some plan of appointment and con-
troll which would tend to secure a higher
average of efficiency cannot be denied.
The importance of the subject has led the
executive to consider what steps might
properly be taken without additional legls-
lation.
To answer the need of a better system Of
| consular appointments. The matter having
been committed to the consideration Of the
Secretary Of state. in pursuance of his re-
commentators. an executive order was is
sued on the goth OF September, 1895, by the
terms of which 1t is provided that after that
| date any vacancy in a consulate or CONNER
cal agency with an annual salary or COM
pensa tion from official fees of not more
than $25OO or less than $1,000 should be filled
either by transfer or promotion from some
other position under the Department OF
State, of a character tending to qualify the
incumbent for the position to be filled, or
| by the appointment Of person not under
the Department of State, but having pre-
viously served there under and shown his
capacity and fitness for consular duty, or
| by The appointment of person who, hav-
ing been selected by the President and sent
to board for examination, is found, upon
such examination. to be qualified for the
position. Posts which pay less than $1,000
being usually, on account of their small
compensation, filled by selection from resi-
dents of the locality. it was not deemed
practicable to put them under the new sys-
tenn.
The compensation of S25O0 was adopted
as the maximum in the classification for
the reason that consular officers receiving
more than that sum are often charged with