The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-28
KNAPP SURRENDERED
PLACED IN CHARGE OF THE AMERI-
CAN CONSUL AT ALExANDRETTA.
Nerve shown by Mr.. Riddle, Who
Turks Keep Their Promises.

CONSTANTINOPLE, April 27.-The Rev.
George p. Knapp. the American mis-
sionary who has been expelled from Bit
lis by the Turkish authorities without trial
on the charge Of having melted Armenians
to rebel against Turkish rule, was sur
rendered to the United States consul at
Alexandretta on Saturday last. Details of
the affair, which reached here to-day, show
that the step was not taken until United
Sta.ns var ship Mad been autographed for.
Mr.. Knapp, as already cabled, was expelled
from Bitlis about a month ago, in spite Of
the agreement reached between the United
States minister here, Mr.. Alexander w. Ter
rell, and the Turkish government (after the
charges against Mr.. Knapp had been dis
cussed) that the American missionary should
not have to leave his post until about April /,
when the roads were tolerably free from
snow, in order that he might be able to take
his family with him. As 1t was the mission
airy was compelled to leave Bitlis before the
time agreed on and without his family.
When he reached Diarbekir in custody. the
news was telegraphed here and the Turkish
government positively asserted that Mr..
Knapp was the guest of the vail of that
place and not a prisoner. 1t is now stated
that the missionary has been a prisoner
the vail of Aleppo detained him at that place
for Ave days while making futile efforts to
force him to sign an agreement not TO return
70 BltliS under any circumstances. Mr..
Knapp steadily refused to sign any such
agreement on the ground that he had COM
mitted no crime and had in no way broken
brought against him were entirely unfound-
ed. He also distinctly gave the vail to un-
derstand that he intended to present to the
United States government protest against
his expulsion from Bitlis and his treatment
IN general. and TO hold the Turkish author
tiles responsible for the safety of his family.
When the vail saw that 1t was useless 10
continue his attempts TO get Mr.. Knapp to
sign the agreement, the missionary was al
lowed to proceed, still treated as a prisoner,
to Alexandretta. 1t had been agreed be-
tween Mr.. John w. Riddle, the United
States charge d'af,afres at Constantinople
and an the -, Turkish government that the Amer
was TO be delivered to the United States
consul there and the latter was to see that
M Knapp b ON ta tails city for trial
States. But when the missionary reached
Alexandretta on April %. in spite of the
Porte's promises. the Turkish authorities re-
fused to deliver the prisoner to the United
States consul. The latter entered formal
protest against the detention OF the mission
Riddle, informing him that the Turkish off,
Gals intended TO expel Mr.. Knapp from
Turkish territory by compelling him to en-
April 20. Thereupon Mr.. Riddle made ener-
getic representation to the Turkish govern
ment demanding that the latter respect its
engagements, and In order to give emphasis
to his remarks the charge d'affaires tele-
graphed to Mersy, where the United States
cruiser Marblehead was at anchor. asking
the commander of the vessel to proceed to
Alexandretta and place the cruiser at the
disposal Of the United States consul at that
Mr. Riddle had decided effect on the Porte,
Tor the latter no sooner became aware that
the Marblehead had been teegraphed 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 and
ofer to have his conduct at Bitlis thorough
ly INVESTIGATED before the United States
charge danaires. Those in q positionvto
know the facts assert that the charges
against Mr.. Knapp are groundless and that
the idtter's expulsion was only a ballon
dessai. which, If allowed to have passed
without protest, would probably have result
other missionaries and, eventually, against
all Protestant and Catholic missionaries in
Asiatic Turkey. for all deniais to the con-
trary. the Sultan had prepared to take that
step. and only gave up the plan on the ad-
vice OF the Russian ambassador who. how
ever. Is credited, rightly or wrongly with
having conveyed 10 the Sultan the plan Of
getting rid of the missionaries.
air Riddle during the past few days, 1t is
understood, has been In communication with
Washington In regard TO the case OF the
Rev. Mr.. Knapp, and IL Is believed that a
most searching and open inquiry will no
made into all the circumstances attending
the expulsion Of the American missionary
from Bitlis in order that no doubt shall
remain as 20 Who Is 70 blame In the matter
and In order to establish a precedent which
may serve as a guide should further and
similar occurrences be reported.