The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-04-09
Turkey MAKES A PRELIMINARY
MOVE TO EXPEL ALL CHRIS
TIAN PREACHERS.
THE IMPRISONMENT OF REV. KNAPP,
The American Missionary, is Understood
to Be the First Step in That Direc-
ton-A Cable Dispatch Received
From Miss Barton.

DriSOnment ana proposed eApuiSiol lloll
the Turkish dominion of the Rev. Mr.
Knapp, an American missionary of Bitlis
is understood to be but n preliminary to
the expulsion of all the Christian mission.
aries. mostly Americans, English and
French Catholics, from Asiatic Turkey,
and possibly from European Turkey as
well. Besides, it is rumored that the
agents of the American Red Cross socie-
ty. now distributing relief funds in Asiat-
ic Turkey in the presence of the local
Turkish officials, are also to be expelled
from that part of the empire. In support
of this report it is said that an imperial
trade providing for the expulsion from
Turkey of the Christian missionaries and
agents of the Red Cross society of Ameri.
ca has already been signed by the sultan
although it has not yet been issued from
the palace.
That this is the case would seem to be
proved by the activity ut the French and
British embassies during the past few
days, and by the visits which the United
States charge d'affaires has made to the
porte. 1t is also known that a panic en-
lists among the Armenians of the district
presence there, for some unknown rea-
son, OF strong force of Turkish troops.
The United States charge d'affaires has
obtained from the porte the assurance that
the vail of Alepp0 has been instructed to
protect the American missionaries in the
Suedich district.
In spite of the assurances of the Turk
iSh governmt i'll view of past experiences
il is considered quite important that the
DpItp ShnulI nlnmntlN la
that the United States, acting independents
ly, of necessity, is determined to protect
the rights and property of its citizens in
the sultans dOminions. OF course. in
the matter of arrest, imprisonment and
proposed expulsion of the Rev. Mr. Knapp.
as i'll other cases of a similar nature, there
are two sides to the question
The claims made by the friends of the
missionary is that he is being uniustly
prosecuted by the Turkish authorities. On
the other hand the Turkish authorities as
sert that Mr.. Knapp has persstently en-
couraged sedltious movements among the |
Armenians in spite of official warnings.
1t should he added, however that a dis |
interested observer, Mr.. Hampson, Brit
ish consul ut Bitlis, has carefully inquired |
into the charges brought against Mr.. |
Knapp and has pronounced them to be |
absurd.
The American missionary, nevertheless.
was informed that it had been decided to |
try him before the criminal court on the
charge of conspiring against the Turkish
government. and he was notified to appear
for trial. This was in February last.
Mr. Knapp thereupon placed the matter
before United States Minister Terrell and
asked for the latter's advice.
Mr.. Terrell telegraphed the missionary
to obey orders under protest, pending ac-
uon upon the part of the United States
minister here.
Mr.. Terrell then notified the porte that
he would not consent to having Mr.. Knapp
tired III the manner proposed. and sug,
gested that the case he brought before
mixed commission 1t was later decided
to try the missionary here in the presence
OF representative of the United States
government, but it appears the roads were
so blocked with snow until the end of last
month that the missionary was unable to
travel to this city. Hence. it seems. his
arrest and imprisonment ut Diarbekir
pending his expulsion from Asiatic Tur-
key, and also. it seems the determination
of the sultan to eXpel all Christian mis-
sonaries and agents of the Red Cross So
ciety from Turkey. 1t is believed here
that only prompt and energetic action will
prevent the issuing of the imperial trade
providing for the expulsion of the mission
aries and Red Cross society agents.
OFFICIALS REFUSE TO TALK.
Washington, April THE officials at
the state department are fully aware of
the condition of the missionaries in Tur-
key, and of the developments in the case
of Missionary Knapp, who is reported by
cable to be confined at Diarbelir. but they
refuse to discuss the matter However,
1t is apparent that they do not feel under
any great degree of apprehension as to
serious trouble in Turkey. and as in addi
ton to their private cable advices from
Charge d'Affaires Riddle they have the
benefit of the presence and advice of Unit
ed States Minister Terrell. who was at the
state department again this morning their
state of mind would appear to be JUS
tihable. 1t is quite certain that no orders
have gone to Admiral Selfridge to gather ,
his fleet in the gulf of lskaandirun to I
make any sort of demonstration, and al l
though he has a large measure of diScre- {
ton and authority in the movements of 5
rs to make Il naval demonstration with |
lut the sanction and direction Of the navy t
department.. c
a CABLE FROM MISS BARTON. il
New York, April THE following c
cable was received by Spencer Trask to-
Law from Miss Clara Barton. in charge W
''Our corps of physicians with supplies C
left Beyrout April 3 and will reach IL
Marash on the 10th. Scourge of typhoid V
and other diseases caused from starva- G.
ton and exposure continue undated.
Red Cross reports just received from our a
expeditions say they are meeting with d
splendid success. No distractions nor fl
Turkish supervision, as has been wrongly II
reported. Every facility offered Wei cl
coined everywhere. Our party working OF
between Marash, Zeitoun, Matala and 6
Harpool. The other between Orfu. II
Diarbekir and Harpool, visiting towns nj
and villages en- route, giving assistance W
where most needed" 81
THE MOVE SUSPECTED. n
=, Boston, Mas, April THE missiona- .
RES RE, of the board of American foreign \
missions are those most vitality threaten ST
~ IN the move to expel missionaries from Ii
st When shown the dispatch from Con- t.
da u,n,tlnople to the Associated Press, to- Is
SmS;tSSo covering the situation. Rev. Judson d
ment secretary of the foreign depart G
fhn n