Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-12-13


though the vexatious practice mas not been
wholly discontinued.
The Armenian Massacres
Occurrences I'm Turkey have continued
10 excite concern. The reported nassaCres
of Christians iu Armenia and The develop
meut there and in other districts OF u
spirit OF fanatic hostility to Christian in
flucnCts, naturally excited apprehension
for the safety Of the devoted men ana
women. who as dependents of the foreign
missionary societies I'm the United States,
reside Ia Turkey under the guarantee OF
law and usage, and in the legitimate per-
formance OF their educational and re-
ligioUs mission No efforl have been spared
Ia their behalf and heir protection in per
son and property has been earnestly and
vigorously enforced by every means with
in our power
/ regret however, that an attempt on oJr
part TO obtain better information conc 'rr-
ing the true condition OF affairs Ia the uls-
turbed quarter of TAO Ottoman empire by
sending ththCr the United states consul a.
was thwarted b. the objections Of the
Turkish governm, l.t. This movement on
our part was in no sense meant as
gratuitous ENHANCEMENT Of rhe United
States ia the so-called eastern question,
nCT as an o1lcious interfere ce with the
right ana duty which belong by treaty TO
certain great European powers, calling
for their Intervention In political matters
affecting the good government and re-
liEiOuS freedom of the nom MuSSelman
subjects Of the sultan, but IL arose solely
from our desire 10 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 opportunities to acquire
measure Of familiarity with the condi-
ton OF affairs, and viii enable us TO take
suitable steps Tor the protection Of any in
terests of our countrymen within reach
Of our ships that might be found inn
perilled.
VIII Keep "a Watchfui Eye.
Tho Ottonap goVarprpept Ia lately
sued an imperial trade eXempting forever
from taxation an American college 70"
girls at Scutari Repeated assurances
have also been obtained by our envoy at
Constantinople that similar institutions
maintained and administered by our coun-
trymen shall be secured in the enjoyment
of all rights, and that our citizens through
out the empire shall be protected. The gov
eminent, 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 in aifordtng all pos
sible protection in individual cases where
danger threatened or safety was mperiled
We have sent ships as far toward the
points Of actual disturbance as II Is pos
Sible for them to 20, whore they offer ref
uge TO those Obliged 10 hAe, and we have
the promise of other powers which have
ships In the neighbOrhoOd that our citi-
zenS Wcll as theirs Will be received and
protected on board those ships. On the de-
mand of our minister orders have been is
sued lay The sultan that Turkish soldiers
shall guard and escort TO the coast Ameri-
can refugees. ntSt olQtTE ia go bt'''H car
ried out, and our latest Intelligence gives
assurance 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 destruction of mission
property have resulted from riOtous con
fiicts and outrageous attacks.
BY treaty several Of the most powerful
European powers have secured right and
have assumed duty, not only i'm behalf
Of their own citizens ana IN furtherauCe of
their own interests. tout az agents Of the
Christian world. Their right IS TO enforce
such conduct Of Turkish government as
viii restrain fanatiCal brutality, ana II
this fails their duty is 70 so interfere a 20
insure against such dreadful occurrences
I'm Turkey az have lately shocked ciVil.zs-
ton. The powers declare This right and
this duty to be theirs alone, and il is earn
Cstly hoped that prompt ana effective &C
ton on their part VIII not he delayed.
The new consulates at ErZerOum and
HarpoOt. for which appropriation was
made last session. have been Professionally
filled by trusted employees OF the depart
ment OF state. These appoiutccs though
now IN Turkey, have not yet received their
eNequaturs.
More Aid to Venezuela.
The arbitration Of the claim Of the Ven
ezuela steam Transportation company un-
der the treaty OF January ~, lS2, between
the United States and Venezuela resulted
in an award in favor OF the claimant. The
government has used its good offices
toward composing the differences between
Venezuela on the one hand, and France
and Belgium. on the other growing ouS of
the dismissal OF the representatives OF
those powers on the ground OF a publiCa-
ton deemed offensive to Venezuela. Al
though that dismissal was coupled with
cordial request that other more persona !
ly agreeable ENJOYS be sent IN their stead,
a rupture OF intercourse ensued and still
continues.
Needed Improvement in Consular Service.
In view of the growth Of our interests
In foreign countries and the encouraging
commerce, the question OF an Improvement
in the consular service has Increased In
Importance and urgency. Though there
is no doubt that the great body OF consular
officers are rendering valuable services 10
the trade and Industries of the country,
the nee ds OF one plan of appointment ana
control which would tend to secure
higher average OF efficiency Is not denied.
The import me of the subject has led the
executive 10 consider what steps might
properly be taken without additional legis-
latiou, TO answer the need of better
system of consular appointments. The
matter having been committed TO the con-
siderdtiOu or the secretary of state, IL pur-
suance OF mis- recommendations, an eXecu-
tive order was issued on The 2Oth of Sep
TENDER. 1898, by the terms OF which II -
provided that after that date any vacancy
IN a consulate or commercial agency, with
an annual salary or compensation from
official fees OF not more than g.. 700 or less
than 81 900. should Doe nlled either by trans
fer or promotion from some other position
under the department OF state OF "A char
dtleF lelQlDE TO NldlllN the incumbent
for the position to be filed, or 10y the APP
pointment OF person not under the de-
psTtment of state. but having previously
served hereunder ana shown his capacity
and fitness for consular duty; OF by tine APP
pOintment of person who. having been
selected by the president and sent to
board for examination, is found, upon such
examination, TO be qualified for the posi-
ton. Posts which pay less than S, 900 be-
Ing usually, on account OF their small COM
pensation, filed by selection from resi-
dents OF the locality, il was not deemed
practicable TO put them under the new
system
The compensation Of $500 was adopted
as the minimum limit in the classification
for the reason that consular officers receiv-
ing more than that sum are often charged
with functions and duties scarcely in
fcrlor In dignity and Importance 10 those
OF diplomatic agents, and II was therefore
thought best TO continue their selection in
the discretion Of the executive without
subjCCting them TO examination before a
board Excluding Il places with Compen-
sation at present less than 81 900 50 places
above the maximum in compensation,
the number Of positions remaining within
the scope OF the order Is lg6 This number
Clusion Of consular officers whose remun-
GRAFTON In fees, now less than 81 600, VIII
be augmented with the growth Of our for
CiGn commerce and a return to more ia
Vorable business conditions. In execution
OF The executive order referred to, the Sec
rotary Of state has designated As a board