The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-12-29
WORKING ON ABDUL
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE POWERS
WASTE SOME MORE TIME

They Give 1t Ont Onacially, However. Tha
There arc Symptoms OF Compliance Of
His Part of Yielding to the Demand fol
Reforms Russian Minister Makes {
Rank Threat and Gets q Defiant Answer
secret Alliance Between Germany AND
Turkey-why the Sultan Feels So Safe II
His Insolent Defiance.
copyrighted 1896, by Associated Press.)
Constantinople, Dec. 2s.-The Russian
ambassador. on Saturday, acting in con-
cert with the representatives Of Great
Britain, France, Italy. Germany and
Austria, had an audience with the sultan,
Abdul Hamid, one of many such inter-
views which have taken place within
the past year on the same subject, that
Of better administration Of the affairs
of the Turkish empire.
The Russian diplomat began by warn
ing the sultan and the Turkish govern
ment that If the revenues ceded for the
payment of the Turkish debt were
touched, European control Of the finances
of the empire would become inevitable.
NJ. de Nelidoff, the Russian ambassa-
dor, further informed the sultan that the
car guaranteed his persona. safety and
engaged himself to maintain the suitan's
supremacy, in the event Of severe meas
ures being necessary upon the part Of the
powers.
The sultan, however, remained obdur-
ate, refusing his consent to any measure
of control, financial or otherwise, by the
powers.
To this the Russian ambassador re-
piled that the condition of the Turkish
empire placed the throne and the Cali
plate in imminent peril.
Thereupon Abdul Hamid remarked.
impressively: II may be the last of
the Calips. but will never become Sec
ond khedive.''
In addition to these warnings NJ. Neli-
dOff sent note to the Turkish govern
ment and to the palace and the utmost
significance is attached to it in diplo-
matte circles. He pointed out in precise
terms the necessity Of the sultan follow
ing the advice Of the powers and acting
In complete agreement with their plans
for improving the situation, warning
them once more that the sultan'S refusal
to do so involves the most disagreeable
consequences
The ambassadors Of the powers will
meet again in order to discuss the situa-
ton and will re-assembie in the future
twice a week until they complete their
recommendations to the sultan and his
advisers
The ENJOYS acting together will hence
forth maintain the strictest secrecy re-
garding their deliberations, and the ac-
ton taken or contemplated, and will not
even inform the ENJOYS Of other powers
of the decisions reached
These latest steps upon the part Of the
powers are, once again, reported to have
produced a profound impression at the
Kiosk and in pursuance Of the issuing
OF the amnesty decree. Armenian pris-
oners in Asia Minor and this city and
vicinity are being released daily in
patches of fifteen.
WHY THE POWERS FAIL.
New York. Dec. Pa special to the
World from Washington says: The
statement that a secret alliance exists
between Germany and the sultan of Tur-
key is made in a letter from Constants
nople, received by prominent official OF
the state department. The letter was
written by one high in authority in the
Turkish government, and explains that
the alliance is for the purpose of thwart-
ing Russian and English encroachment
The writer gives an insight to the pres
ent affairs in Turkey.
After the great powers had. through
their ambassadors in Constantinople, adj
dressed a collective note to the sultan,
on him giving reforms and an
absolute guarantee In the future for the
lives and property of all his subjects, the
eastern question again became the great
centre of European diplomacy. The sui
tan gave his promise. The Sublime Porte
entered on the reform with a feverish en-
ergy, which surprised all Europe. Gar
risons We're established on the outskirts
Of the empire, and the whole country
was Placed under a practical military
rule. The Sublime Porte removed gov
srnors and lesser officials with dispatch |
astonishing to those conversant with the |
usual bewildering delays in eastern d. |
olomacy. An amnesty was promised to- |
ward Armenian prisoners and over 300 |
)f them have already been set at liberty |
England, France and Russia were no:,
however, absolutely confident Of the sui |
-an's perseverance in this work. Sir |
Phillip Currie. the English ambassador, |
minated to the minister OF foreign at |
airs, that England, although Pleased |
With what had already been accom- |
olished. was fearful that the sultan would |
lol Dc StIuuS ~ tne per-
nanent enforcement of these measures. |
/ was, therefore, desirable, he said, that |
hose powers which had the most vital |
interest in Turkey, namely, England.
France and Russia, should have written
regulations on the subject. To agree
o this proposal would mean that Turkey
dcitly consented to a protectorate COM
,osed of these three powers. In case
The failed TO fulfil her contract, she
would be virtually at the mercy Of the
riumyiate.
The Sublime Porte was much disturb
d by Sir Phillips visit and for a time
seemed that English diplomacy would
vim. Suddenly the sultan assumed de-
ensive attitude. Sir Phillip was inform
d that the Sublime Porte would con-
inue the reforms on the lines which had !
'een laid down; that il guaranteed alb
cute protection Of life and property of
ubjects, and that any further assurance
7as deemed unnecessary.
1t is now generally known in Constan-
.nople, the letter says, that Abdul Ha-
lid acted on instructions from the Ger
ian government, and no little chagrin
; felt among the supporters OF the Eng
sh. Russian and French plans.
Diplomats there according to the
ritter. are now recalling that year and
half ago, Emperor William OF Ger
lany visited the sultan at Constantine
lie. and. was received with extraya-
ant honors. 1t was limited then that
erhaps secret treaty had been formed ]