New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-10-21
CONCESSIONS FROM TURKEY.
THE NATURALIZATION TREATY OF
GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THIS
COUNTRY
IT WILL DO AWAY WITH THE ANNoYANcEs TO
WHICH NArURALIzED CITIZENS RETURN
mo TO TURKEY HAVE BEEN SUB
JEcrED = MINISTER TERRELLs
EFFORTS BEARING FRUIT


a naturalization treaty with the United states.
fact given In these dispatches last night, appears
to be Of more consequence than was supposed Inc
proposition Is significant at this particular Time
coming as II does when this country is fairly well
represented by a naval force at Smyrna. and only
a few days after the consent OF the Sultan was
given to the demand Of Minister Terrell tnat 'ne
families OF Observation-Disclosures should DC per-
mitted to join their husbands and fathers IN the
United States. Leaving out OF consideration what
may have induced the Sultan to make the sugges-
ton (Which. however II Is well to remember IN
future deangs with the Porte) the advantages that
will result from the ratification Of such treaty to
naturalzed Armenans and Turks returning to their
former homes many and decided. THIS Phase
Of the Is attracting official attention
None Of the officials be induced to discuss
the question as whether the presence OF United
States fleet in Turkish waters Influenced the de-
csion Of the Porte heed two OF thu vigorous de-
mands Of Minister Terrell. Under the circumstances
their attitude Is of course proper. They are I'M
doubtedy gratined at the the controversy with
the Porte has taken. But It would be unbecoming
In them even to insinuate that display OF forco
has played part in the result probably the
officials recognize, do most well-informed per-
sons here. that the presence Of four American war
vessels at Smyrna has been known In Constanti-
nople for several days
A HIGH OFFICIALS OPINION.
Speaking OF the Portes proposition to negotiate
a naturalization treaty. high Official sold to-day
that the subject was Of great importance to
this country. He pointed out that for years Ameri-
cans OF Turkish origin were constantly SUBJECTED
danger upon returning to their native places
and that in many instances they had been arrested
and cruelty treated. Latterly Armenians have nad
to undergo imprisonment and other inJustice'
though having In their possession when arrested
passport bearing the great seal Of the State De-
partment. The usual charge lodged against them
IL that Of being revoutionists. The Turkish con-
tention has been, this Official said that subjects OF
the Sultan could not become Americans or citizens
of any other country without the consent OF the
Turkish Government. In case Armenian Americans
returned to the places OF their birth and the Turk
ish records did not show that they had become
citizens OF the United States by permission OF the
Sultan's Government. they were frequently arrested
and convicted Of some serious offence On occa-
sions they were deported. The rule has been to
regard them subjects. and to treat tnelr pass
ports with contempt
The Trbune's informant said that the conditions
were most serious and dema nded vigorous protests
from Washington. as well as from the Minister AZ
/ Constantincple No subject with which the State
Department has had to deal i'm the last four years
has occasoned firm demands than this one
! and thos. which grew out Of II. An an instance
In point. the Of two NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
whom Mlnister Terrell tried to befrepd are cited
The had been thrown into prison. MT Ter
roll went 10 Said Pacha the Turkish Minister or
Foreign Affairs and demanded their release In
| vigorous language Said Pacha contended that the
! laws OF Turkey prohibited the emigration OF ner
subjects In official report OF this interview MT
| Terrell has written to the State Department that
he replied to this point follows: 80 long as the
! Sultan permits Armenians to remain In the United
! States five years without protest. when they re-
! turn TO Turkey armed with a passport bearing the
great seal OF the American Government the pro-
! tcctcn OF the flag Of that Government VIII lo"o"
II around the world In every port and CLINE.
Mr. Terrell added that Said Pacha manifested
reluctance TO take this view OF the case. IL was
! nj this Interview that Said suggested that
naturalization treaty be negotiated Mr. Ierreh
consented to the proposition. but there Is notnins
| I'm the published records Of the State Department
TO show that either Secretary Gresham or MI
/ Olney looked favorab,y on the proposition.
MINISTER TERRELLs VIGOROUS ACTION.
On MANI occasions more especially within the
last yea: Minister Terrell has made vigorous de-
mands upon the Porte that Americans having pass
ports from the State Department should receive
greater protection In making these he mas IN
most instances acted under specific directions from
the State Department. On occasions he has IN
sisted In obedience 10 instructions from Washing
ton that American Consuis have extra-territorial
Jurisdiction over citizens accused OF insurrecton
or rebellion against Turkey or OF less ohences OF
AN interesting case illustrative Of the position
! maintained by this Government. as wen as .me
difficulties encountered IN tue way VI ec''hh
,'rn FOR Americans arrested In the Ottoman Em-
pirc IL that of young man named Melcoy "
,sa, and a resident at the time OF Lynn. Mass
Who bore United states passport issued earl, early
IN lam Of money alleged by him he for the re-
lief OF the poor Having landed at Alexanaret.aa
he .t npo por and robbed by large band Of
Being horseback he escaped 10 n noIsn wbere
npo ,r,' he made his to Antioch and lodged a
/ oils Upon inquiry, IN the pres
sell aS ., an ,hs b,itish VceConsu the facts In his
s snS his as held FOR
| nm Indictment charging sedt,ous acts: .. ,
az rho i'nIted States Consular Agent at A.eppo was
,n s,ownd to see the prisoner and his application to
he Vail to inspect Guedtians passport was refused
0 n6 notice having given to the consular agent
| and without the presence OF the drasoman OF the
sge az. yyposed Upon learning Of this proceeding the
Mn,se. demanded the facts In the case IN order tnat
ne misn 70 turkish authority Guedjan had forfeited
III. right 10 protection as an American citizen
| CONSULAR JURISDICTION ASSERTED.
NJ Terrell was accordingly instructed by Secretary
o,ro-. on September &C. 1895. that under the United
states consuls have extra-territorai )ursdc
ton over citizens accused OF Instruction or rebellion
,ns, Turkey or OF less offence Of a similar char
| actor. that GuedjIans acts seemed TO have been a
| no,itical conspiracy with enemies OF Turkey In Eng
land that his trial by Turkish court without notice
| n the consul at Beyrout or the consular agent at
A,enno was In violation OF international right. and
.hould he annued; that his transfer to CONSTANT
pople should be asked. and that II accused Of nsur-
lection or rebellion committed In Turkish dominons.
the Minister or the consul should insist upon trying
him The Minister presented these demands to the
The Grand vlzer issued repeated orders to the Vail
., AIeppo 10 send Guedjian TO Constantinople which
The local authorities failed to obey while continuing
70 deny TO consular agents access to the prisoner.
manded that his repeated protests should be answered
and that the offending Vail should be dismissed. in
a ,''m, ting that In case favorable response was
nr"mptiy made he would be under the necessity OF
porting this Government his inability to obtain jus,
his passports more satisfactory treatment Of this
smrancss that Guedjian should be removed to Con-
stantinople were obtained. Minister Terrell. under
,ha state Departments reiterated instructions
timed 10 press for the delivery Of Guedjan to him