The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-11-14

have no bearing on the general
situation The government will punish
the offenders should the disturbances De
renewed "
Washington City. Nov. f2-The state
department has received a circular pre-
pared for publication by Rev. H. -.
Dwight. who IS specially charged WITH
watching over the interests Of our mis-
sionaries in Turkey. The circular came
unsolicited 10 Nr. Terrell and its purpose
is % explain certain nisspprehcnsionS
and nissJaseTuents concerning Minister
Terrelfs course In the circular Dr.
Dwight SAYS the general allegation that
MIR Terrell has been careless IN protecting
American citizens in Turkey rests on no
foundation whatever. for Mr.. Terrell free
IN consulted them in every important cTi-
sis. and has shown great willingness TO
give weight to their opinions Mr.. Ter
relL the circular SAYS, has carried on
his heart. as a burden that permits no eS-
cane and allows 10 rest. anxiety for the
safety Of American citizens IN Turkey
during all the vjcissitudes Of the trouble
There IS not a shadow Of doubt. he says,
that the maintenance Of the Ritlis sta
ton during the fiery trials Of the past
year. the exemption OF its members from
molestation. and perhaps the saving Of
their very lives. has been due 70 the sub
stantisl and vigorous action OF Mr.. Ter
ret at the sublime porte. and IN every
ease where an Armenian naturalized citi-
zen has been moIested Air. Terrell has in
terfered sharply and effectively 10 prevent
unlawful punishment.
pisquieIing rumors regarding the Sc
curity Of the Christian teachers in Tur-
KEY between Trehizond and Erzeroum
were heard about the state department
today. hut the officials refused 10 allay
the popular apprehension. There is
ground for the belief that the department
has heard from Minister Terrell today.
and that his adyices. while showing that
a perilous state Of affairs eonfronts the
American missionaries and teachers In
that section. do not state that actual muir
ders have been reported TO him. The navy
department also has a most energetic offi-
Ger as near 10 the scene Of the rumored
trouble a warship can get, in the per-
son OF Can't. O'Neil, Of the Marbiehead,
and up 10 the close of office hours he had
made no report of a massacre. as he
would undoubtedly have done had the
news reached him. The nearest state de-
partment official Is United States Consul
Jewett. at Sovas. but he also has been
silent. For the very reason that this sec
ton of Turkey. inciuding important mis-
sions. has all along been without any con-
sular officer representing the United
States. congress at its last session pro-
vided for the establishment OF two con-
sulates therein. one at Erzeroum and an
other at HarpooL The state department
several months ago sent 10 Turkey two
experienced men from Washington City
to open consulates there. But the Turkish
government has persistcntly declined 10
issue exeduaturs TO them, so they have
been unable to exercise consular func-
tions. These men. Messrs. Chiffon and
Hunter. We're in Erzeroum when the last
massacre occurred there, and were COM
Delled to seek safety in the British con-
sular office during the riotlng. Since then,
their lives being neediessly jeoparded, and
there being no hope OF securing recogni-
ton as consuls. the state department has
seen fit 10 authorize their retirement from
the scene of danger. and at last accounts
they We're in Constantinople, with every
indication that they would he ordered
back TO the United States, and the project
of establishing these consulates aban-
doned. for the present at least. Admiral
Selfridge has arrived at Marseilles, and
last evening relieved Admiral Kirkland Of
the command of the European station and
hosted his flag on the San Francisco un-
der orders from the secretary of the navy
TO proceed at once to join the Marblehead
in Turkish waters. With these two ves-
sells present. IL is felt that our government
will have done ali possible 20 protect the
Americans in the interior of Turkey. Ia
ken in connection with a most vigorous
notice from Minister Terrell that the
United States VIII hold the porte respon-
sible for any injury they may sustain