Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1895-12-05

tIlVldi eTTOTS nave TeSultcu III l0e TefnlS-
sion of such fines in Instances where the
equity OF the complaint was apparent,
| though the yexatious practice has not been
| wholly discontinued.
The Armenian Massacres.
Occurrences in Turkey have continued
| to excite concern. The reported massacres
of Christians in Armenia, and the develop
ment there and in other districts of a
spirit of fanatic hostility to Christian in
| fiuences, naturally excited apprehension
for the safety of the devoted men and
| women, who as dependents of the foreign
missionary societies in the United States,
reside in Turkey under the guarantee of
| law and usage, and in the legitimate per-
| formance of their educational and re-
| ligious mission. No efforts have been spared
in their behalf and their 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 our
| part to obtain better information concern
| ing the true condition of affairs in the dis
| turbed quarter of the Ottoman empire by
| sending thither the United States consul at
| Sivas to make Investigation and report
| Turkish. government. This movement on
our part was in no sense meant as a
| gratuitous ENHANCEMENT of the United
| States in the So-called eastern question,
nor as an officiouS interference with the
right and duty which belong by treaty to
certain. great European powers, calling
for their Intervention in political matters
affecting ,the good government and re-
ligious freedom of the on-Musselman
SUBJECTS of the sultan, but it arose solely
from our desire to 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
a measure of familiarity with the condi-
tion Of affairs, and will enable us to take
suitable steps for the protection of any in
terests of our countrymen within reach
of our ships that might be found i'm
perilled.
Will Keep watchful Eye.
The Ottoman government has lately is
sued an imperial trade exempting forever
from taxation an American college for
girls at Scutari Repeated assurances
Constantlnople 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
been vigilant and alert in affording all pos
sible protection in individual cases where
danger threatened or safety was impeTiled.
We have sent ships as far toward the
points OF actual disturbance as it is pos
sibTe for them to go, where they offer ref
uge to those Obliged to fee, and we have
ships in the neighborhood that our citi-
zens as well as theirs will be received and
protected on board those ships. On the de-
mand of our minister orders have been is
sued by the sultan that Turkish soldiers
shall guard and escort to the coast Ameri-
can refugees. These orders have been 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-
hicts and outrageous attacks.
European powers have secured right and
have assumed a duty, not only in behalf
of their own citizens and in furtherance of
their own interests, but as agents OF the
Christian world. Their right is to enforce
such conduct of Turkish government as
will restrain fanatical brutality, and If
this fails their duty is to SO interfere as to
insure against such dreadful occurrences
in Turkey as have lately shocked civiliza-
ton. The powers declare this right and
this duty to be theirs alone, and it is earn
estly hoped that prompt and effective ac-
tion on their part will not be delayed.
The new consulates at Erzeroum and
made last session, have been Professionally
filled by trusted employees of the depart
ment of state. These appointees. though
now in Turkey, have not yet received their
eXequaturs.
More Aid to vepezuela.
The arbitration of the claim of the Ven
ezuela Steam Transportation company I'M
der the treaty of January 10, 1892 between
the United States and Venezuela resulted
in an award in favor of the claimant. The
government has used it's good offices
toward composing the differences between
Venezuela on the one hand, and France
and Belgium, on the other growing out of
the dismissal of the representatives of
those bowers on the ground of publica.
ton deemed offensive to Venezuela. AL
though that dismissal was coupled with a
cordial request that other more personal
ly agreeable ENJOYS be sent in their stead
rupture of intercourse enSued and still
continues. G7
Needed Improvement in Consular Service.
In view of the growth of our interests
in foreign countries and the encoura ging
prospects for a general expansion of our
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 to
| the trade and industries of the country,
| the needs of some plan of appointment and
control which would tend to secure a
| higher average of efficiency is not denied.
| The Importance of the subject has led the
executive to consider what steps might
| properly be taken without additional legis-
lation, to answer the need OF better
| system of consular appointments. The
| matter having been committed to the con-
| sideration of the secretary of state, in pur-
| suance of his recommendations, an execu-
| tive order was issued on the goth of Sep
| TENDER, 1895, by the terms of which it is
| provided that after that date any vacancy
in consulate or commercial agency, with
an annual salary or compensation from
| official fees of not more than $500 or less
| than $1,000, should be filled either by trans
| ter or promotion from some other position
/ under the department of state of char
| acter tending to qualify the incumbent
| for the position to be filled; or by the APP
pointment of a person not under the de-
| partment of state, but having previously
| served Hereunder and shown his capacity
| and fitness for consular duty; or by the APP
| pointment of a person who, having been
| selected by the president and sent to a
| board for examination, is found, upon such
| examination, to be qualified for the posi-
4 ton. Posts which pay less than 81. 900 be-
| ing usually, on account of their small COM
| pensation, filled by selection from resi-
| dents of the locality, it was not deemed
| practicable to put them under the new
/ system.
| The compensation of 1880 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
| ferior in dignity and Importance to those
| of diplomatic agents, and it was therefore
| thought best to continue their selection in
| the discretion of the executive without
| subjecting them to examination before a
| board. Excluding II places with compen-
! sation at present less than 81, 900, So places
| above the maximum in compensation
| the number of positions remaining within
| the scope of the order is 1885, This number
| will undoubtedly be increased by the in
| clusion of consular officers whose remun-
| GRAFTON in fees, now less than s., 900, will
| be augmented with the growth Of our for
| eign commerce and return to more ia
vorable business conditions. In execution
| of the executive order referred to, the Sec
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