The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-11-14
ABOUT TERRELL
His Vigorous Action Has Saved Many
Lives In Turkey.
GLOOMY SILENCE At WASHINGTON
Concerning Possible Fate OF
Christian Teachers.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 14.-The state de-
partment has received a circular prepared
for publication by Rev. ii. o. Dwight,
, who is specially charged with watching
over the interests Of our missionaries in
Turkey.
The circular came unsolicited TO Mr..
Terrell, and It's purpose Is 20 explain GER
tain misapprehensions and misstatements
concerning Minister Terrell's course.
In the circular, DIR. Dwight says that
the general allegation that MIR. Terrell
has been careless in protecting American
citizens in Turkey rests on no foundation
whatever, for Mr.. Terrell has freely con-
suited them in every important crisis and
has shown great willingness to give weight
to their opinions.
Mr.. Terrell, the circular says, has car
ried on his heart as n burden that permits
no escape and allows no rest, anxiety for
the safety of American citizens In Turkey
during all of the vicissitudes OF the pres
ent year. There is not the shadow OF %
doubt that the maintenance of the Bitlis
station during the fiery trials OF the past
year, the exemption of It's members from
m~olestation, and perhaps the saving OF
their very lives, have been due TO the sus-
Aullltu ullu NlkOFOlS uCtlO VI vi i'Ai'ii
at tho sublime porte. And in every case
has been molested Mr. Terrell has inter
fcred sharply md effectively to prevent
unlawful punishment.
Disquieting Rumors
regarding the security of Christian teach
ers in Turkey between Trebizond and
Erzroom were about the state department.
yesterday, but the officials refused to ailay
the popular apprehension.
There is ground for belief that the de-
partment has heard from Minister Ter
rell, and that his advices, while showing
that "A perilous state Of affairs confronts the
American missionaries and teachers in
that section, do not state that actual
measures have been resorted to by him.
Tn navy department has also n most en-
ergetic officer rs near to the scene Of the
rumoTcd trouble rs a warship can get in
the person of Captain O'Neill Of the Mar
blehead, and up the close OF Office hours
he had made no report OF "A massacre, as
he would undoubtedly have done had the
news reached his ears.
The nearest state department report Is
United States Consul Jewett at Sivas,
but he has also been silent. For the very
ItuSoh liltb AlllH ScillOu vi iuIhfyt IlCllu-
ing important missions, has all along been
without any consular officers representing
the United States, congress at ITS last
session provided for the establishment of
two consulates therein, one ut Erzroom
and another at Harpoot. The state de-
partment several months ago sent TO Tur-
key two experienced men from Washing
ton To open the consulates there, but the
Turkish government has persistently de.
clined to issue e%xequaturs to them, so they
have been unable to exercise consular
functions.
Americans Lives In Jeopardy.
These men, Messrs. Chiffon and Hunter,
were I'm Erzroom when the last. massacre
occurred there, and were compelled to seek
safety in the British consular office dur
ing the %rioting. Since then, IA their lives
were being needlessly jeopardized, and
there was no hope of securing recognition
rs ~consuls, the state department has seen
fit to authorize their retirement from the
scene of danger, and at last accounts they
were in Constantinopae. with every midi
cation that they would DE ordered back to
the United States and the project of estab-
fishing these consulates abandoned for the
present at least.
Admiral Selfridge arrived mt Marseilles
Tuesday, and has relieved Admiral Kirk
land of the of the European sta
ton and hoisted his flag on the San Fran
cisco, under orders from the secretary OF
the navy To proceed Mt once to join the
Marblehead in Turkish waters. With
these two vessels present, it is felt that
our government will nave done all pos
sible 20 protect the Americans in the in
terror of Turkey, taken in connection with
"A most vigorous notice from Minister Ter
rel that the United States will hold the
porte responsible for any injury they may
sustain.
Anxious to Commit Suicide.