Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-27
RIDDLES PROMPT ACT
He Caused the Liberation of Mis-
sionary Knapp.
SUMMONED TIE WARSHIP MARBLEHEAD
Turkey Yielded When it Came to
an Issue.
FIRMNESS WE'LL MAINTAINED

CONSTANTINOPLE, April o. via Sofia,
Bulgaria, April 27.-The Rev. George F.
Knapp. the American missionary who has
been expelled from Bitlis by the Turkish
authorities, without trial, on the charge of
having melted Armenians to rebel against
Turkish rule was surrendered to the
United States consul at Alexandretta Sat
urday last. Details of the affair, which
reached here today, show that the step was
not taken until a United States warship
had been telesraphed for.
Mr.. Knapp, as already cabled, was ex-
PEELED from Btlis about month ago.
When he reached Diarbekir, in custody,
the Turkish government positively assert
ed that Mr.. Knapp the guest of the
vail of that place, and not prisoner.
MIR. Knapp u Prisoner.
1t is now stated that the missionary has
been a prisoner throughout his journey,
and that the vail of Aleppo detained him
at that place for five days, while making
futile efforts to force him TO sign agree
ment not to return to Bitlis under any
circumstances.
Mr.. Knapp steadily refused to sign any
such agreement, on the ground that he
had committed no crime and had in no
way broken the laws of the country, and
that the charges brought against him were
entirely unfounded. He also distinctly
gave the vail to UT derstand that he intend
ed to protest to the United States govern
ment against expulsion frCm Bitlis and his
treatment in general and to hold the Turk
lsh authorities responsible for the safety
of his family.
When the vail saw it was useless to con-
tinue his attempts to get Mr.. Knapp to
sign the agreement mentioned the mission
airy was allowed TO proceed, still treated
a prisoner, to AleXandretta.
When the missionary reached AleXan-
dretta on April %, in spite of the porte's
promises, the Turkish authorities refused
to deliver the prisoner to the United States
consul The latter entered a formal pro-
test against the detention of the mission
airy, and communicated by wire with Mr.
Riddle, informing him that the Turkish Of
hcialS intended TO eXpel Mr. Knapp from
Turkish territory. by compelling him to
embark on board a steamer sailing for
Europe on April "a.
Summoned the MarbIchend.
Thereupon Mr.. Riddle made energetic
representation to the Turkish government
demanding that the latter respect it's en-
gagements, and, in order to give emphasis
to his remarks, the charge d'affaires tele-
gTaphed to Mersina, where the United
States cruiser Marblehead was at anchor
asking the commander of the vessel to pro-
ceed to Alexandretta and place the cruiser
at the disposal of the United States consul
at that port
This prompt action upon the part of Mr.
Riddle had decided effect upon the porte
for the latter no sooner became aware that
the Marblehead had been telegraphed for
than orders were sent to Alexandretta for
the release of Mr.. Knapp.
The American missionary is now free
and will probably, by the advice of the
United States representatives. come to this
city nd offer to have his conduct at Bitlis
thoroughly investigated before the United
States charge d'affaires.
Those who are in position to know the
facts of the case assert that the charges
against Mr.. Knapp are grCundless and that
the latters expulsion was only a move,
which. if allowed to have passed without
protest, would probably have resulted in
similar action being taken against other
missionaries, and eventually against all
Protestant and Catholic missionaries in
Asiatic Turkey. for, all denials to the con-
trary, the sultan had prepared to take that
advice of the Russian ambassador, who,
however, is credited. rightly or wrongly
with having conveyed to the sultan the
Nlan of getting rid of the missionaries
An Inquiry to Follow.
Mr. Riddle during the past few DAYS il is
understood has been in communication with
Washington regarding the case of the Rev
Mr.. Knapp. and it IS believed that a most
searching and open inquiry will be made
into all the circumstances attending the
expulsion Of the American missionary from
Bitlis, in order that doubt shall remain
as TO who Is TO blame in the matter and
in order to establish precedent which may
serve a guide should further and similar
occurrences be reported.