The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-04-28

P. Knapp, the American missionary,
expelled from Bitlis by the Turkish
authorities without trial, on a charge
of having melted the Armenians to
rebel against the Turkish rule, was
surrendered to the United States con-
sui at Alexandretta on Saturday The
details of the affair, which reached
here today, shows that step was not
taken until a United States warship
had been telegraphed for. Knapp will,
probably, by advice of the United
states representatives, come to this
city and have his conduct AIT Bitlis in
vestigated before the charge d'affaires.
THE STORY.
Mr.. Knapp as already cabled, was
expelled from Bitlis about a month
ago. in spite of the agreement reached
between the United States minister
and the Turkish government (after the
charges against Mr.. Knapp had been
| dlscuSSed), that the American mis-
sionary should not leave his post until
April L, or until the roads were toler-
ably free from snow, in order that he
might be able to take his family with
him.
AS it was, the missionary was COM
PEELED to leave Bitlis before the time
agreed upon, and without his family.
| When he reached Diarbekir, in custody,
the news was telegraphed here, and
the Turkish government positively as
serted that Mr.. Knapp was the guest
OF the vail of that place and not
prisoner"
1t IS now stated that the missionary
HAS BEEN A PRISONER
throughout his journey to the coast.
and that the vail of Aleppo detained
him at that place for five days while
making futile efforts to make him
sign an agreement not to return to
Bltlis. Mr.. Knapp steadily refused to-
| sign any such agreement on the
ground that he had committed no
crime, and had in no way broken the
laws of the country and that the
charges brought against him were en-
t1rely unfounded. He also distinctly
gave the vail to understand that he in
tended to protest to the United States
government against his expulsion from
Bltlls and his treatment in general, and
TO hold the Turkish authorities respon-
slble for the safety OF his family.
When the vail saw that it was use
less to continue his attempts to get
Mr.. Knapp to sign the agreement men
toned, the missionary was allowed to
proceed. still
TREATED AS A PRISONER
to Alexandretta. 1t had been agreed
between John ". Riddle, the United
States charge d'affaires at Constantine
pie, and the Turkish government, that
the American missionary, upon arriy-
ing at Alexandretta, was to be de-
hvered to the United States consul
there and the latter was to see that
Mr. Knapp came on to this city for
trlaI before the representative of the
United States. But, when the mission
ary reached Alexandretta, on April %.
IN spite of the porte's promise. the
turkish authorities refused TO deliver
the prisoner to the United States con-
SUI, and the latter entered a formal pt4o-
test against the detention of the mis-
slon2ry and communicated by wire
with Mr.. Riddle, informing him that
the turkish officials intended
TO EXPEL MR.. KNAPP
from the Turkish territory by com
pelling him TO embark on board a
steamer sailing for Europe on April
-. Thereupon, Mr.. Riddle made ener-
setlc representation to the Turkish
government. demanding that the latter
respect It's engagements and in order
TO give emphasis to his remarks. the
charge d'afaires telegraphed to Mes
slnna, where the United States cruiser
Marblehead was at anchor. asking the
commander of the vessel to proceed To
AleXandretta and place the cruiser at
the disposal Of the United States con
SUI at that port. This prompt action
upon the part of Mr.. Riddle had a de-
cided effect upon the porte, for the
latter no sooner became aware that
the Marblehead had been telegraphed /
Tor than orders were sent to Alexan-
drstta for the release of Mr.. Knapp.
Those in a position to know
THE FACTS IN THE CASE
assert the charges against Mr.. Knann
are groundless and that the latter's
expulsion was only ballon d'essai
Whlch, II allowed to have passed with
out protest would probably have re-
suited IN similar action being taken
against other missionaries, and event /
uaiy against all Protestant and
Catholic missionaries in Adriatic Tur /
Key, for, all denials to the contrary.
the sultan had prepared to take that
step ana only gave UP the plan upon
the ADVICE of the Russian ambassador, |
who however. is credited, rightly or
wrongly, with having conveyed to the |
sultan the plan of getting rid of the |
MT Riddle, during tie past few davs.
IL is understood, has been in communi /
cation with Washington regarding the /
case OF Mr. Knapp and it is believed /
that . more searching inquiry will be
made into all the circumstances at |
the expulsion of the American
MISSIONARY from Bitlis in order that no
1oubt shall remain as to who is n I
olame in the matter and in order to /
establish a precedent which may serve
Is guide, should further and similar
be reported
WASHINGTON, April 27.-rhere is no
LANCER that the interests of nltssionarV
knapp, who is supposed to be now 81
A. eXandretta, in the final custody of tbe
nlted States consular agent, would he
overlooked by the government Accord,ne
10 the programme mutually agreed fInon
by United States Minister rerrilI he
ore he left Constantinople and the porte
Knapp will be sent by the United Stats
consular agent to Constantinople. tbers
@ remain until Mr.. Terrill returns ~
his post, when he will be tried in tho
presence of the United States minister nn
he charges preferred by the Turkish
government. i
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