The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-04-10
Expulsion Of the Missionaries
From Turkey.
SULTAN NOW HEsITATEs
And the Trade May Never be
Made Public.
UNLESS RUSSIA SO ADVISES IT
Missionary Knapp is Now Being Taken
Out of the Hands of the Turk
ish Authorities For a
Fair Trial.

e%AA . AsAle
Constantinople, April g.. Via Sofia,
Bulgaria, April 9-It now appears, ac-
cording TO a semi-oflicial statement,
that the Turkish Government bases its
action in expelling, by local authorities
of Bitlas, the American missionary, the
Rev. George +. Knapp, on an under
standing between the Porte and United
States Minister Terrell. 1t is added that
it was agreed between the government
and Mr. Terrell, that the Rev Knapp
was to leave Bitlas on April 1st, and in
consequence, when the Missionary took
no steps to depart, the local officials of
Bitlas politely invited him to leave
At that time, it is also said that the
United States charge d'Affaires, Mr.
John w. Riddle, had no official expl9na-
tions on the subject.
Mr.. Knapp has left Diarbekir Tor
Aleppo, and from there, unless the
plans of the Turkish Government are
interfered with, the American mission
airy will be invited" to go to Alexan-
dretta, in order that he may embark
upon steamer. 1t is generally beliey-
ed here that the expulsion of Mr. Knapp
Is only the first step taken by the Sultan
in the direction ofexpellinga all Protest
ant and Catholic missionaries, as we'll
as the agents of the American Red
Cross Society, from Armenia.
The steps taken in behalf of the mis-
sfonaries in Asia Minor have had a ben
efcial effect. The Turkish Government
to-day, replying to the renewed repre-
sentati0ns on the subject made by the
British Ambassador, Sir Phillip Currie,
and United States Charge d'Affaires,
Mr.. John w. Riddle, assured the diplo-
mats that the missionaries in Asia
Minor would not be molested $50 long
as they conform with the laws Of the
country"
But, this assurance does not carry
with it the weight which it would in
coming from the government, it is
claimed, as there is no question that
the Turkish officials have been trying
TO prove that the missionaries are not
conforming with the laws Of the coun-
try" and it was on this ground that
the Sultan prepared and probably
signed the trade providing for their
expulsion from the Turkish domin-
ions.
But the publicity given to the mat
ter in the press dispatches, notably by
those of the Associated Press, have GER
tainly caused a hesitation at the palace
and 1T is now thought likely that the
trade will be withheld, at least until
Russia has been further consulted on
the subject. If Russia says that the
missionaries are to be expelled, the
trade win not be made public. On the
e a e
strong enough to proceed with the
work Of Russianizing Asiatic Turekey,
the trade may soon see the light of day
MISSIONARY KNAPP'S CASE.
Washington April 9.--It can be stat
ed ON authority that there is no reason
for apprehension that Missionary
Knapp will not meet with fair treat
ment, and eventually be permitted to
return to his post at Bitlas after he has
undergone the forms of clearing him
self from the charges that have been
lodged against him of conspiracy a.
gainst the government.
The case can be summed up as fol-
lows:
Knapp Is being brought to the coast
as the result Of an agreement between
the Turkish government and Mr.. Ter
rell, the Minister, who has secured
what might be regarded as valuable
concession from the authorities in hav-
ing the trial of the missionary taken
out of the hands of the Turkish au-
thorities and left to his own courts in
order to stand trial, the accused must
make his appearance before the Amer
lean authorities at Constantinople