The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-04-08
UNCLE SAM IS ALERT
Turkeys Sultan Must Not Cut Any
Monkey Shines With Him.
THE SITUATION is SERIOUS
The Sublime Porte May Order All
American Hissionar es Out Of
the Country-Troubie 10
Liable to Follow.

Constantinople. April THE United
States charge d'affaires has obtained
from the porte the assurance that the
Vail of Alepho has been instructed to
protect the American missionaries in
the Seudich district In spite of the as
surances of the Turkish government. in
view Of past experiences, IL is consider
ed quite important that the porte
should promptly be made aware that
the United States. acting Independently
IL necessary. is determined to protect
the rights and property of its citizens
in the sultan's dominions. In the mat
ter of the arrest, Imprisonment and
proposed expulsion OF the Rev. DIR.
Knapp. as in all other cases of a simi-
lar nature. there are two sides to the
question. The claim made by the
friends OF the American missionary Is
that he is being unjustly prosecuted by
the Turkish authorities. on the other
hand. the Turkish officials assert that
the Rev. Mr.. Knapp has persistently
encouraged seditious movements among
the Armenians. in spite of several off,
cial warnings.
Ii should be added however, that a
disinterested observer. Mr.. Hampton.
the British consul at Bitlis. has care
fully inquired into the charges brought
against Knapp and has pronounced
them absurd. The American mission
airy. nevertheless, was Informed that IL
had been decided to try him before the
criminal court on the charge OF con-
spring against the Turkish govern
ment, and he was notified to appear for
trial. This was in February last. Mr..
Knapp thereupon placed the matter be-
fore United States Minister Terrill and
- -. Al
rill telegraphed the missionary to obey
the orders under protest of the Turkish
authorities. pending action upon the
part of the United States minister here.
Mr.. Terrill then notified the porte that
he would not consent to having Knapp
tried in the manner proposed and sug-
gested that the case be brought before
a mixed commission. IL was later de-
cided to try the missionary here In the
presence OF representative of the
United States government.
IL Is believed that only prompt and
energetic action will prevent the issuing
of the Imperial order providing for the
expulsion of missionaries and Red
Cross society agents. 1t Is not impossi-
BILE, according to report. that the British
government may take immediate steps
to protest against the expulsion Of mis-
sionaries and that the Marquis OF Sails
bury, In this instance. will be supported
by the French government. Here arises
a delicate question. Russia Is seeming
ly the ally of France and the strong
supporters OF Turkey under almost any
circumstances. but should France de-
termine to take action in this case, IL Is
difficult to see how she can do so with
out In some degree embroiling herself
with Russia. 1t Is just upon this point
that rests the hope that France.
through Russia. will prevail upon the
- - tWvaW. II - Nrn
providing for the expulsion Of mission
aries and American Red Cross agents.
and that this may avert any serious
trouble, except. possibly. on the part Of
the United States. which may think II
proper to insist upon obtaining COM
plete satisfaction for the alleged perse-
cution OF Knapp.
Washington. April 7.-Oficials OF the
state department are fully aware OF the
condition of the missionaries In Tur-
key and the developments In the case
OF Missionary Knapp. who Is reported
to be in confinement in Diarbkir. but
they refuse TO discuss the matter.
However. IL is apparent that they do
not feel under any great degree Of ap-
prehension as TO serious trouble in Tur-
key. as in addition TO their private ca
BILE advices from Charge Riddle, they
have the benefit of the presence and
advice OF United States Minister Ter
rell.
Probably the reserve shown by the
department in its treatment OF this
matter Is TO be accounted for by a de-
sire on its part TO avoid giving offense
TO another great power, by making
public its belief that this power Is
really responsible for the attempt TO
expel the missionaries. but that Is the
fact. and the story has come TO Wash
ington with every appearance of ve-
racity that the American and
other foreign missionaries are TO be
driven out from Armenia only 10 make
room for a church that uhey do not
represent. The contention Of our gov
ernment Is that We have as good q
right as the French to maintain our
In that country and upon
that point the issue will be made II IL
should finally come TO the promulga-
tion of the trade OF expulsion.