The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-06-05
situation Now Serious and War Possi-
BILE Unless the sultan Backs Down
and Promises Reforms.
BRITISH FLEET AT BEYR0UT
ENGLAND. RUSSIA AND FRANCE COM
BINED AGAINST THE PORTE.
Firing on the Alliance Disavowed by
the Spanish Government-Skfr-
mishes with Cuban Rebels.

CONSTANTINOPLE. June 4.-The reply
OF the Turkish government TO the note OF
representatives of Great Britain. France
and Russia in regard TO proposed reforms
in Armenia has been delivered 10 the en-
voys. The Porte's answer is not satisfae-
tory. The Turkish government does not
agree TO the principle OF the control or
the proposed reforms by the powers. After
receiving the reply the ENJOYS OF the three
powers held meeting. at which they de-
cided to refer the whole matter TO their
respective governments. The position Is
serious, as last week the British embassy
informed the Porte that Great Britain had
resolved not 10 accept any notifications OF
the propositions affecting reforms in Ar
menia, and the representatives OF the other
powers interested have made the same dec
larations to the Porte. The reply Of the
Turkish government causes surprise. and II
is thought that such an answer would not
have been given without encouragement
from some European power. But the pres
ence os the British Mediterranean squadron,
consisting OF seventeen ships. at Beyrout.
points to agreement between Great Brit
ain. France ana Russia TO force Turkey
TO comply with the demands Of the powers.
Consequently, interesting news may shortly
Oe flashed from Beyrout Syria. where AZ Is
believed the British fleet wiz be called on
20 support the demands OF the three powers.
The three measures which Great Britain.
France and Russia insist on as preliminary
10 reforms in Armenia include the appoint
ment of a high commissioner for Armenia
general amnesty for and release OF all po-
litical prisoners, the revision OF certain
judgments and the appointment OF COM
mission 10 sit at Constantinope charged
with the application OF the reforms and
working IN concert with the high commis-
sioner. II is also demanded by the powers
that the Governors Of Van, Erzeroum.
Sivas. Bitlis, Khartal and Irebizon be
Christian Mussulman according as the
population OF those places is inclined. In
any case. however. either the Governor or
Vice Governor of the places named Is 10 be
a Christian, and the appointment or these
officials is TO be approved by the powers.
Taxes are 10 be collected by local and not
by state officials, and enough is to be re-
tanned before the money is Forwarded TO
Constantinople TO provide FOR the cost or
the local administration. as under the pres
ent system all tax money is first sent 10
Constantinople, from which city but little
Of ii returns TO Armenia The powers also
propose TO compel the Porte TO make rad
ical changes in the judicial system In order
TO insure fair trials the surveillance OF
prisons and the abolition OF torture, and
the police is TO be composed of Turks and
Christians equally. Finally, the Turkish
government is TO be compelled to strictly
enforce the laws against compulsory con-
versions TO Islamism.
| 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 ambassadors.
and the Austrian ambassador urged him to
acQuiesce in the demands of the powers.
But IL was added al the time, the Sultan
appeared to be counting on the moral sup
port OF Emperor William OF Germany, TO
whom he is known 10 have sent an auto
graph letter on the subject.