The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-04-10
MISSIONARIES IN TURKEY
Charged With Having Incited Arme-
Aian RevOltS.
PLANS FOR THEIR EXPULSION
How Rev. knapp's Expulsion Has Been
Brought About Alleged Understand.
ing with Russia-Feciing in France.
Another Massacre Feared

Constantinople. April 8, via Sofia.
Bulgaria, April Sit appears, accord
ing to a semi-official statement. that
the Turkish government bases It's ac-
ton in eXpelling or allowing the eX
pulsion by the local authorities of
Bitlis of the Rev. George =. Knapp
on an understanding reached between
the Porte and United States Minister
Terrell previous to the latter's de-
parture for New York 1t is said that
IL was agreed between the government
and MIR. Terrell that the Rev. Mr..
Knapp was to leave Btlis on April |.
When the missionary took no steps to
depart, the local officials of Bitlis in
vited him to leave. At that time the
United States Charge d'Afiaires, John
W. Riddle. had no official explanations
on the subject
The Rev Mr.. Knapp has now left
Diarbekir for Aleppo. and from there.
unless the plans of the Turkish gov
ernment are interfered with. he will
be invited" to go to AleXandretta in
order that he may embark upon
steamer there. and his expulsion will
be an accomplished fact.
The expulsion of the Rev. Mr.. Knapp
Is looked upon as the sultan's first
step towards eXpelling from Armenia
all Protestant and Catholic mission
aries and the agents of the American
Red Cross society. The reasons given
for this belief are that under the sec
ret understanding reached between
Russia and Turkey some time ago,
when the fleets Of the powers were
preparing a demonstration against the
Armenian outrages. it was decided, to
get rid Of the missionaries and priests
to make way for representatives of
the Russian church, Russia intending
in the end to secure virtual protecto-
rate over Armenia. Under this alleged
plan the work Of the missionaries was
to be pointed to as being a source Of
disorder. Finally 1t was decided to be-
gin with the Rev. Mr. Knapp, and he
was charged with melting the Armen-
ians at Bitlis to revolt
THE TRADE
There has been no attempt yet to de-
ny that the sultan has signed an trade
providing for the expulsion of the mis-
| sionarieS and agents of the American
Red Cross society. 1t has not yet been
Issued, but unless the strongest kind Of
| pressur Is brought to bear on the sui
| tan it will soon be made public and
| serious disorder may follow. The sup
| porters of the missionaries in Great
Britain have been urgently appealed to
| and the government at Washington
| has been communicated with on the
| subject, bu. 1t Is believed If the case
| Of the Rev. Mr., knapp is allowed to
serve as a precedent and there Is no
| interference with his expulsion without
| a fair trial, the driving out Of all the
| missionaries will not be long postponed
| II the missionaries could be quietly
smuggled away, all might go well; but
II the news Of their expulsion, and its
alleged cause, that Of melting the Ar
menians to revolt against the sultan,
is made public, the Turks are likely to
| be excited into acts Of violence and the
property and lives of the missionaries
and their families will be In danger.
Paris, April 9.-Considerable irrita-
| tion against Turkey has been aroused
| here by the report from Constantnople
and London that the sultan has decided
to eXpel all Roman Catholic and Prot
estaht missionaries from Asiatic Tur-
key ON the ground that they have been
| Instrumental In melting the Armenians
to revolt against the authority Of the
sultan. The newspapers. particularly
| the Figaro. have taken up the question
as one directly and strongly affecting
Christianity, and as calling for prompt
| and effective action. The Figaro conf
plains Of the deception which the Turk
| iSh officials have Dracticed upon the
world at large in the stories of the mas
sacres sent out by the government and
expresses the hope that France will not
permit the missionaries to be expelled.
Other newspapers express similar
views and hore that the French gov
ernment will act with promptness and
energy in the matter.
PORTE'S PROMISE.
Constantinople. April 9..--Tbe Porte
In reply to the representations made to
it by John w. Riddle. American
charge d'afraires, and Sir Philip Cur
rie. the British ambassador, has given
positive assurances to them that the
missionaries will in no wise be molest-
ed while they conform to the laws OF
the country.
CLARA BARTON'S REPORT.
Boston. April -Notwithstandins
rulnors to the contrary Miss Clara
Barton cables the New England Ar
menlan relief committee of Boston, oi
her successful works as follows: News
ilom expeditions just received. proves
our relief work firmly established. Ir
no manner do authorities endeavor tc
control our actions"
The latest reports received by the
committee state that the suffering |.
intense and that many in their de-
spondency are given to suicide.
| EJDE Ar rIIJC&Cn