The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1895-06-05
THIS May MEAN WAR.
Turkeys Reply to the Powers Is Con.
sidered Unsatisfactory.
Is GERMANY BACK OF HER
Great Britain, France and Russia VIII Not
Modify Their Demands at All and
Thorough Thrashlng For Tur-
key May BE In order.

CoNsTANTINoPLB June 4.-The reply of
the Turkish government to the notes of
the representatives of Great Britain,
France and Russia, In regard to the pro
posed reforms in Armenia, has been deliv-
cred to the envoys. The porte's answer Is
not satisfactory The Turkish govern
ment does not agree to the principle of the
control of the proposed reforms by the
powers. After receiving the reply, the en-
voys of the three powers held o ameeting at
which they decided to refer the whole mat
ter TO their respective governments.
The position is serious as last week the
British embassy informed the porte that
Great Britain had resolved not to accept
any notifications of the propositions af-
feoting reforms in Armenia and the repre-
sentatives of the other powers interested
have made the same declaration to the
porte.
The reply of the Turkish government
causes surprise, and it is thought that such
an answer is not given without encourage.
ment from some European power. But
the presence of the British Mediterranean
squadron, consisting of II ships, at Bel
rut points to an agreement BET a en-
Great Britain, France and Russia to Gree
Turkey to comply with the demands of the
powers. Consequently, interesting news
may shortly be flashed from Beirut,
Syria, where, it is believed, the British
fleet will be called upon to support the de-
mands Of the three powers.
Measures Insisted Upon
The measures which Great Britain,
France and Russia insist upon as prelimi-
nary to reform in Armenia include the
appointment Of high commissioners for
Armenia, general amnesty for and release
of all political prisoners, the revision Of
certain judgments and the appointment
of commission to sit at Constantnople,
charged with the application Of the re-
forms and working in concert with the
high commissioner.
1t is also demanded by the powers that
the governors and vice governors of Van,
Erzerum, Siwas, Bitlis, Khartut and Tre-
bizonde be Christian or Musselman, 40
cording as the population Of those places
is inclined. In any case, however either
the governor or the vice governor of the
places named is to be Christian, and the
appointment of these officials is to be ap-
proved by the powers
Taxes are to be collected by local and
not by state officials, and enough is to be
retained before the money is forwarded to
Constantinople to provide for the cost Of
local administration as, under the present
system, all tax money is first sent TO Con-
stantinople, from which oity but little Of
it returns to Armenia.
The powers also propose to compel the
porte to make radical changes in the ju-
dioial system in order to insure fair trials,
the surveillance of prisons and the aboli-
tion of torture and the police is to be COM
posed of Turks and Christians equally.
The Fly In the Ointment.
Finally, the Turkish government is to
be compelled to strictly enforce the laws
against compulsory conversions to Islam
ism.
As already oabled when the sultan read
the note of the representatives Of the pow
ers, outlining the proposed reforms, he
was not unfavorably impressed. He had
several conferences with the foreign en-.
bassadors, and the Austrian ambassador
urged him to aoquiesce with the demands
of the powers. But, it was added, at the
time, the sultan appeared to be counting
upon the moral support of Emperor Will
liam of Germany, to whom he is known
to have sent an autograph letter on the
subject.
Beirut, where the British Mediterra-
mean squadron is now assembled and appar-
emily prepared to support the demands OF
Great Britain, France and Russia for re-
form in Armenia. is a seaport town OF
Syria on bay of the Mediterranean, 81
miles from Damascus Its walls are about
three miles in circumference and outside
Of them are suburbs which equal the town
in extent Beirut has some large bazaars
Protestant college for natives a fine new
aqueduot and several mission schools anG
converts.
The harbor of Beirut is protected by q
mole, but its waters are adapted only fol
small boats, But in the bay large ships
may anchor in great numbers in from tC
/ fathoms of water.