The record-union., 1895-12-04

OllleQ states, reside IN turkey unQGr
the guarantee of law and usage, and in
the legitimate performance of their ed
ucational and religious missions. No eff
forts have been spared in their behalf,
and their protection in person and prop
erty has been earnestly and vigorously
enforced by every means within our
power. l regret, however, that an at
tempt on our part to obtain better infor-
nation concerning the true condition or
affairs in the disturbed quarters of the
Ottoman Empire, by sending thither
the United States Consul at SiveS to
make an investigation and report, was
thWarted by the objections of the Turk
ish Government This movement on our
part was in no sense meant as a gratu-
itous ENHANCEMENT Of the United States
in the so-called Eastern question, nor
as an ofticiOuS interference with the
right and duty which belongs by treaty
to certain great European Powers, call
ing for their intervention in political
matters affecting the good government
and religious freedom of the non-Mus
Sulman subjects of the Sultan, but 1t
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
disturbed localities affords OppOrtuni-
lies W acquire u nlGdSu Oh ldIilIlldIlly
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 inperiled.
The Ottoman Government has lately
issued an imperial trade eXemptng
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 secured in the
enjoyment of all the 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 Vigilant and alert,
affording all possible protection in in
dividual cases where danger threat
ened or safety was imperiled. We have
sent ships as far toward the points of
actual disturbance 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 we'll 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
escort to the coast American refugees.
These orders have been carried out,
and our latest intelligence gives as
surance 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 de-
struction of missionary property has
resulted from riotous conflicts and out
rageous attacks. By treaty, several of
the most powerful European Powers
have secured a right, and have as
sumed a 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 en-
force such conduct on the 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 civilization. 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 ErZer0um and HarpOOl,
for which appropriation was made last
season, have been Professionally filled
by trusted employees of the Department
of State. These appointees, Though
now in Turkey, have not yet received
their eXequaturs.
VENEZUELA DISPUTE.
The arbitration Of the claim of the
Venezuela Steam Transportation Com
pany, under the treaty of January 19,
1892, between the United States and
Venezuela, resulted in an award in IA
vOr of the claimant. The Government
has used it's good offices toward com
posing the differences between Vene-
zuela 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 pubI-
cation deemed offensive to Venezuela.
Although that dismissal was coupled
with a cordial request that other more
personally agreeable ENJOYS be sent in
their stead, a rupture of intercourse en-
sued and still continues.
THE CONSULAR SERVICE.
In view Of the growth of our interest
in foreign countries, and the encourag-
ing prospects for a general expansion
OF our commerce, the question or an I'M
prCVement in the Consular service mas
increased in importance and urgency.
Though there is no doubt that the great
body OF Consular officers are rendering
valuable services. to the trade and in
dustries Of the country, the needs of
some plan of appointment and control
which would tend to secure a higher
The Importance of the subject has led
the Executive to consider what step
might properly be taken without addi-
tiOnal legislation to answer the need of
a better system of Consular appoint
ments The matter having been COM
nitted to the consideration Of the Secre-
tary of State, in pursuance of his rec
concentrations. an Executive order was
issued on the Doth of September, 1893,
by the terms of which it is provided
that after that date any vacancy in q
Consulate or Commercial Agency with
an annual salary or compensation from
official fees of not more than $500 or
less than 81 900, 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 a per
son not under the Department of State,
but having previously served hereunder,
and having shown his capacity and fit
NJ SIS for Consular duty, or by the ap-
fpOintment of q person who, having been
selected by the President and sent to a
beard for examination, is found, upon
such examination, to be qualified for the
position. Posts which pay less than 81
coo, being usually, on account of their
small compensation, filled by selection
from residents of the locality, it was not
deemed practicable to put them under
the new system.
The compensation of S20.000 was
adopted as a maximum limit in the
classification, for the reason that Con-
sular officers receiving more than that
are often charged with functions and
duties scarcely inferior in dignity and
importance to those of Diplomatic
agents, and it was therefore thought
best to continue their selection in the
discretion of the executive without