The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-12-10
THE UNITED STATES AND TURKEY.

THE UNITED STATES AM fthhIi'
The calIous indifference OF the British
government 10 the Turkish ou,ragcs in
Armenia recalls a somewhat similar rage
in history-that which tells OF this re.a-
tions OF Great Britain TO AIgiers.
During the last half of the eighteenth
century the policy W Great Britain toward
the pirat ical Bsrbary states was controlled
by a selfish regard to her own CONNER
cisl interests. 1he Dey OF Algiers held
dominion over the Mediterranean, and his
subjects, the Algerine pirates, pushed their
excursions beyond the limits of that s'a
and proved upon the commerce OF all the
European nations on The Atlantic ocean,
hanging on the trade wind courses.
Thi, dominion OF the Dey was main
tanned 10y what were called "Medi,erran-
can passes. That is forms OF permission or
"permits" to pass the Straits OF Gibraltar
in aud out OF the Me iiterrsncan were is
sued by the Dey and only vessels thus
provided were exempt from rayage by
ths cUrsairs.
Strange as ii may seem in these days,
/ Crest Britain submitted to this exac!ion,
and her vessels sailed under such "pas-
ses" 10 the disgrace OF her has. The only
possible explanation for such an sbject
course is tn,t she held II to be for her
interest to have dangerous sea on the
route to her Indian possessions.
Nor was this gil. Toward the close Of
the century British agents negotiated a
treaty between the Bartsry States and
Portugal-then wholly under the inaa-
ence of the Rritsh Foreign OGice- by
which it was stipulated that Portugal
should furnish no protection 10 any
nation against Algerine cruisers. This
treaty kept scores by tho contracting
powers aud by Great Britain opened the
gateway Of the Atlantic TO the Moors. In
1893 ten Amcrican vessels sailed into the
trap and were capturcd. Tuner the press
ure Of these circumstances the United
States. whose yss,e,s WheD the States
were colonits had saIlei under passes,
consented, like the Euro-oop powers, TO
purchase immunity. In 1895 treaties were
made with the narbary powers, and after
ten years Of captivity, by the payment OF
81, ,Ooo, 900, the Amer lean Government OBJ
tslned the release OF its citizens.
The ignominious subsidy, partly in
supplies. was regularly paid till 1912, W hen
the Dey complained OF the supplies, dis
missed the American consul and ordered
the renewal OF depredstions. Thi, course
OF the Dey has been ascribed by com
reient historical authorities as the direct
influence OF British sgents who led him to
believe that in the inability Of the United
States to maintain itself against the naval
power OF Great Britsin he might plumber
with immunity.
At the close o: the war with Great Brit
ain, the United States July 1sl5) re-
solved to put an end to these outrages.
The brilliant exploits OF DECATUR in
the capture OF the pirate Admiral ana tho
enforcement OF his terms OF redress and
submission on the Dcy at Algiers and
later on the Bey at Tuais at the cannon s
1 iuOutn IN Ntll hHONH.
Though a long story, 1t bears repeating
| IN these DAYS OF Christian resignation.
MADISON was not at his best a. war
President, but "he could be brought to
the scratch" He was Democrat Of the
old school, and his example might serve
today. The United States navy needs no
spur. "Ready, aye, ready" has been
its motto since 1t first flow bunting.
Perhaps Mr.. CLEVELAND, on his return
form his sporting tour, may take into
consideration the fate OF American citi-
zens i'm Armenia. Native or naturalized,
the flag should protect them Their