Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-04-28
-, AssocIated PressO

fco,vrig.b, Associated Presso
c,nstantinople. April 27.-The Rev.
George P. Knapp. American missionary
u.bo has been expelled from Bitlis by
- turkish authorities, without trial
on the charge Of having melted Armen-
tons - rebel against Turkish rule, was
surrendered to the United States Con-
s,1 AZ Alexandretta last Saturday. De-
tais of the affair show that the step
was NO, taken until the United States
v.arsbin had been telegraphed for.
Mr. Knaup was expelled from Bitlis
abopt a month ago. in spite OF the
agreement reached between the United
states minister and the Turkish gov
eminent latter the charges against Mr.
KHAN, had been discussed, that the
American missionary should not have
TO leave his post until about April l. OF
when the roads were toieraOly IIeo
from snow. in order that he miSht De
able TO take his family with him. As
j. was the missionary was compelled 10
leave Bitlis before the time agreed upon
and without his family. When ne
reached Dirbekir. in custody, the news
was telegraphed here. and the Turkish
government positively asserted thal MI:
TnaDp was the guest OF the van OF
that place and not a prisoner.
Tn is now stated that the missionary
has been a prisoner throughout MS
tourney to the coast and that the van
ce AleDDo detained him at that place
for five DAYS while making futile enortS
10 force him to sign an agreement ho'
10 return to Bi,hS under any circum-
stances. Mr.. Knapp steadily reIUseu
10 sign any such agreement. on the
ground that he had committed no crime
and had in no way broken the laws o.
the country. and that the charges
brought against him were entirely IN
founded. He also distinctly gave Uhs'
vail to understand that he intended 10
protest 10 the United States government
against his expulsion from Bi;llS and
his treatment in general and 10 hold
the Turkish authorities responsible Tor
the safety Of mis- family.
When the vail saw that it was useless
10 continue his attempts 10 get Mr..
knapp 20 sign the agreement, the mis-
sionary was allowed TO proceed. sun
treated as a prisoner, TO AieXandret>a.
II had been agreed between john W.
Riddle. the United States charge DAT
flares at Cons,antinOple, and the Turk
ish government. that the American mis-
sionary. upon arrival at AleXandretta,
was TO be delivered 20 the United States
consul there and the latter was TO see
that Mr.. Knapp came 10 this city for
trial before the representative or the.
United States. But when the mission
ary reached AlexandreJta. on April %,
in spite OF the pOrJe's promises, the
Turkish authorities refused to deliver
the prisoner 10 the United States cOnsuA
The latter entered a. formal protest
against the detention Of the missionary
and communicated by wire with Mr..
Riddle. informing him that the Turkish
officials intended TO eXpel Mr.. Knapp
from Turkish territory by compelling
him 70 embark on board a steamer sail
ing for Europe on April p. Thereupon
Mr.. Riddle made energetic representa-
ton TO the Turkish government, de-
manding that the latter respect its en-
gagements. and. in order to give en-
phasis to his remarks. the charge DAT
flares teleSraphed to Mersina, where
the United States cruiser Marblehead
was at anchor. asking the commander
Of the vessel 70 proceed TO AleXandreJta
and place the vessel at the disposal Of
the United States consul at that port.
This prompt action on The par, OF Mr..
Richards had a decided effec, upon the
porte, for the latter no sooner became
aware that the Narblehead had been tel
egraphed for than orders were sent to
Alexandretta for the release OF Mr.
Knapp.
The American missionary is now free
and viii probably. by the advice Of the
United States representatives. come to
this city and offer 70 have his conduct
al Bitlis thoroughly investigated before
the United States charge d'atfaireS.
Those who are in a position 10 know
the facts of the case assert that the
charges against Mr.. Knapp are ground
less and that the latter's expulsion, if
allowed 70 pass without protest, would
probably have resulted in similar ac-
tiOn being taken against other mission
aries and eventually against all Prot
estant and Catholic missionaries in Ash
attic Turkey.