Omaha daily bee., 1895-12-07
,vrvc,v c,r,zryS IN TURKEY.

AMERICAN CITIZENS IN TURKEY
There arc In tile hands OF the senate
committee on foreign relations resolu.
tions introduced by Senator iloar of
Massachusetts declaring that the senate
will support the president in the most
vigorous action he may deem fit to take
for the protection and security OF Ameri-
can citizens in Turkey and TO obtain
redress for injuries committed upon
such citizens there; also desiring the
president to make known to the Turkish
government the strong feeling of regret
and Indignation with which the people
of America have heard of the injuries
inflicted upon persons of the Christian
faith in Turkey aud that the American
people cannot be expected to view with
Indifference any repetition or continu-
ance of such wrongs.
Referring 10 the dcplorable condition
of affairs in the Turkish empire, the
president stated Ia his message that no
efforts have been spared for the protec-
ton of American citizens in the dis
turbcd portions of that country and that
the Ottoman government has given re-
pcated assurances that our citizens
throughout the empire shall be pro-
tccted. United States ships have been
sent as far toward the points of actual
disturbance as 1t is possible for them
to 90, affording refuge for those who
may be forced to fee. while other powers
have promised to receive and protect
American citizens on their ships ana
Turkish soldiers have been ordered by
the sultan to guard and escort to the
coast American refugees. Late dis
patches report that our minister ut Con-
stantinople has been notified by the
Porte of the sending out of new and
more rigorous orders for the protection
of foreigners and their property. with
assurance of the safety of American
pears that the Turkish government has
manifested complete willingness to do
everything asked by our government for
the protection of American citizens in
the disturbed portions of the empire, its
only objection to request from this
posed investigation of the disturbances
by an American consul.
Under these circumstances 1t is GER
tainly debatable question whether 1t
would be wise or eXpedient for congress
to pass tho Hoar resolutions. or at any
rate the one which proposes that the
president shall make known to the Turk
ish government the sentiment of the
American people regarding the outrhges
upon Christians in the Turkish empire.
1t is entirely safe to assume that the
sultan and his counselloIs are already
we'll informed respecting this sentiment
and if that information does not now
have any influence with them the presi-
dents representations probably would
not. Besides. there is an implied threat
in the resolution which might have Il
bad effect. 1t is unquestionably the
duty of the American people to proclaim
their adherence of and utter their pro-
test against the terrible wrongs perpe
tratcd upon the Armenians, but they
can do this quite as effectively through
public meetings and their religious Or
ganzations as by congressional resolu-
ton and with no danger of involving
this government in any possible compli-
cation. We would not, in any contin-
gency, unite with the European powers
in any coercive measures toward Tur-
key. Why, then, put ourselves in posi-
ton implying that we might do so and
thereby perhaps weaken the now evil
dent desire OH the part of the Turkish
government to do all in its power to pro
tect American citizens resident in its
territory? Is it not at least possible that
to assume such an attitude would do
more harm than good, especially in the
event of war between Turkey and the
powers? The first of the Hoar resolu-
tions should be adopted, but no good
purpose would be served by adopting
the other one.