The Portland daily press., 1896-01-04

rival in Constantinople Mr.. Hamlins
young son Alfred said "Father, won't
you take me down to see oar great ad-
miral?" mo, my son. replied the faith
er 1--WE spent u whole day in trying to
see the crown prince of Prussia. and we
did not see him after all. We should
probably have the same LUCK I should
like to see him very much, but I can't
spend whole day not to see man.
The boy turned away with look of
disappointment, which reminded the
father of how he would have felt when a
boy at such blow to his hopes, so be
said "Look here, Alfred. I will go down
with you early tomorrow morning, and if
we see the old hero, we'll and good, if not
we shall come home.'
They found the admiral alone, and Mr..
Hamlin had an opportunity to explain
the situation of the college. The admiral
seemed to be annoyed rather than inter-
ested, and, said: 81 am sorry the Turks
should treat you SO unjustly; but am
not here on any diplomatic mission.
can do nothing to help you"
|
of Mr.. Hamlin, Farragut turned to the
| little boy and, placing his hand on his
shoulder, said: "What are you going to
| be in this world, my son? What are you
going to beS"ss
81 don't know" was the boyish reply
wouldn't mind being admiral OF 1.-THE
American fieet..'
| He had touched Farragut in tender
spot Patting the boy OIL the head. he
said: "Ah, my SONNY son If you
are going to be admiral of the American
| fleet
Before the sentence was finished the adj
miral was interrupted by the entrance of
DR.. Seropain, a mutual friend, who ex-
claimed: "Good morning, Admiral Far
ragut am glad to see you here with Dr.
Hamlin.' He then explained further the
college difficulties, and ended by saying
"You have come here just IN the nick of
| time to help DR.. Hamlin out of this
di fculty.''
'sWhy, doctor,'' said the admiral. 81
can do nothing .at all in this case. l
have no diplomatic mission here y
'Just for that reason you can do every
thing,'' the doctor replied. "You have
only to ask the great pashas, when you
dine with them, why this American col
lege can't be built; that is all. ;"
81 will readily do that. A beggar may
ask question of a king"
Mr.. Hamlin suggested to the admiral
that to the responses to his question he
make no reply. as If they were satisfao-
toryssor at least decisive. "I'll do it! I'll
| do il p said he.
A few days after Farragut left Constan-
tinople Turkish official met Mr. Ham
very confidentially in a whisper, said: 81
want to ask you if your great admiral
was sent here by your government to set
tie that college question: Mr.. Hamlin
adroitly answered to the effect that he
supposed any government would take up
such matter if it meant to defend the
rights of its citizens.
The admiral's question had produced q
great effect, but at the time was not de-
cisive, although he was assured that the
difficulties were removed and the college
would soon be built. But as soon as the
admiral left Constantinople, the govern
ment decided to postpone action, and
when he passed Gibraltar they decided to
do nothing at all. A few months later,
after the admiral had returned to the
United States, letters from New York
papers were sent TO Turkey translated
and in the original. They were very Sc
we're on the Turkish government in re-
gard to the Cretan movement. They were
written with such ability and exact
knowledge that the Turks said to them
selves: 'There is the finger of the great
admiral in this. His government is pre-
pairing the American people for interven-
ton. If only an American monitor
should come into the Mediterranean it
would be followed by war with Greece,
and, war begun with Greece. A llah him
self only knows where it would end. And
we had bean warned that this college
question would become a thorny one, and
that political complications would finally
compel us to grant more than was asked.
Better build hundred colleges for the
Americans with our own money than
have one of Admiral Farargut's monitors
come into the Mediterranean So they
gave the imperial trade, which was never
given before, and placed the college I'M
der the protection of the United States as
the greatest compliment that could be
paid this government, and SO, as they be-
| lieved, smoothed it all over.
Robert College is not only one Of the
most influential institutions of learning
in Europe, but it is Transforming the gov
ernment of all Turkeys dominion. 1t is
attended by students from Armenia,
Bulgaria, Servia and other Balkan states
who there imbibe the spirit of American
liberty and civilization. Many of its
graduates already occupy positions of in
fuence. 1t is hated by Turkey and Rus
STA, but neither dares interfere with it
| Chicago Record.