Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-04-12
KNAPP WAS EXPELLED.
The Turkish Government soon Forgot Its
Promise Regarding the Missionary.


CONSTANTINOPLE. April II. - Al
though the Turkish government has Off
ciaHy announced that the missionaries in
ASA Minor Will not be expelled so long as
they comply with the laws it becomes
more and more apparent that the Rev.
George Knapp, one of the missionaries at
BitHs. has been expelled, in spite OF the
understanding in his case arrived at be-
tween Minister Terrell and the Turkish
government, after it had been proposed TO
try Mr.. Knapp on the charge OF melting
Armeniaris 10 revolt against the govern
ment.
Almost daily negotiations on the subject
take place between United States Charge
d'Afaires Riddle and the Turkish Minister
for Foreign Affairs, but the matter seems
TO he assuming a graver aspect as time
passes. The Turkish government, how
ever. has nor made any official statement
regarding the part taken in the affair by
the local authorities at Bills, although the
official note has been Issued denying that
Mr.. Knapp is imprisoned at Diarbekr, and
stating again that there is no intention Of
eXpelNng the missionaries 50 long as they
comply with the laws. Verbal eXplana-
lions, however, have been forthcoming
from the porte. bur friends of the mission
aries do not consider these explanations
satisfactory. Beside. Fl is stated to-day on
good authority that the local officials Of
Biths received an order some time ago
from high quarter 10 expd Mr.. Knapp,
and it is probable than the order would
have been carried out long before the mis-
sionary was compelled TO leave his post
had it not been for the arrival at Moosh
Of British Vice Consul Hanson. The latter
interested himself in the caseof the Amer
lean missionary. examined into the charges
brought against him, pronounced them to
be groundless and 50 Informed the United
States Minister, who thereupon insisted
that Mr. Knapp should be tried in his pres
ence at COnstaItnope Eventually ii was
agreed between the Turkish government
and Mr.. Terrell that Mr.. Knapp should
leave Rltls when the state of roads per
mitted, or about the end Of April
The missionary however, was forced by
the officials of Bths TO leave his post be-
fore April I. when the roads were so had
that his family were unable to accompany
him. He is now reported TO 0e at or near
AlexaGdretia. and q is stated that the
United States Minister was not informed.
as f. was agreed that he should be, of the
expulsion Of the missionary from Bitlis.
The missionaries place little faith IN The
assurance Of The porte that IL is not IT,
tended to expel them from Asia Minor
Some pre,ext for their expulsion, they be-
We've. viii be found whenever the porte
deems It necessary Such charge as
consplrng against the government is cas-
ily made and can be established 20 the
satisfaction of a Turkish official looking
for an opportunity 20 condemn a Chris
tian. The future of the missionaries de-
ponds upon Russia, and it is upon ;he
Russ. government and not upon the
Turkish government. that influence should
he brought TO bsar 10 protect the lives and
property Of The missionaries The Sultan
is little more than puppet I'm The hands
of the Car, and /, IS 30 The latter that the
governments of The missionaries must
turn in this emergency.