The silver blade. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1895-1903, 1896-04-11
TURKEY TO HEAP NDIGNlTIEs
UPON ARMENIAN WORKERS.
rev Knapp Under Suspicion Of HMv-
ing melted Persecnted Natives
to SeditiOus Acts.

Constantinople, April THE United
States charge d'dffaires has obtained
from the porte the assurance that the
vail of Aleppo has been instructed to
protect the American missionaries in
the Suedich district. In spite Of tho
assurances of the Turkish government,
in view of past experiences. it is con-
sidered quite important that the porte
should promptly be made aware that
the United States. acting independent
~ II necessary, is determined to protect
the rights and property Of it's citizens in
the sultan's dominions.
In the matter Of the arrest. imprisOn-
ment and proposed expulsion of the
Rev. DR.. Knapp, as in all other cases
OF a similar 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 Knapp has persistently
encouraged seditious movements
among the Armenians in spite Of sew
eral official warnings. 1t should be add
ed, however, that disinterested OBJ
server, Mr. Hampton, the British con
sui at Bitlis, has carefully inquired into
the charges brought against Knapp and
has pronounced them absurd.
The American missionary, neverthe.
less, was Informed that it had been de
cided to try him before the crinina
court on the charge of cOnspirins
against the Turkish government, ano
he was notified to appear for trial. This
| was in February last. Mr.. Knapp there
upon placed the matter before United
! States Minister Terrell and asked fol
| the latter's advice. Mr.. Terrell tele
graphed the missionary to obey the or
ders, under protest, of the Turkish au
thorities, pending action upon the par
| of the United States minister here
! MIR. Terrell then notified the porte tina
! he would not consent to having KNAPP
/ tried IN the manner proposed. and sug
gested that the case be brought befor
/, mixed commission. 1t was later de
cided to try the missionary here, in tn
presence of representative of the Uni
ted States government.
1t is believed that only prompt am
energetic action will prevent the issu
ing Of an imperial order providing 70
the expulsion Of missionaries and tn
Red Cross Society agents. 1t is no
impossible, according to report, tina
the British government may take i'm
mediate steps to protest against tn
expulsion of missionaries. and that tn
marquis of Salisbury in this instanc
will be supported by the French gov
eminent. Here arises a delicate ques
ton Russia is seemingly the ally c
France and the strong supporter G
Turkey under almost any circun
stances; but should France determin
: to take action in this case it is Difficult
to see how she can do so without i
some degree embroiling herself wit
Russia. 1t is just upon this point tina
rests the hope that France, throug
Russia, will prevail upon the sultan NJ
to issue the imperial TRADE providin
for the expulsion of missionaries an
American Red Cross agents, and tn
! may avert any serious trouble, exceI
possibly on the part of the Unite
States. which may think it proper to II
;. s;st upon obtaining complete satisfa'
tion for the alleged persecution
n Knapp.
. WASHINGTON OFFICIALS SLON