New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-22
MINISTER TERRELLS ANSWER
HE EXPLAINS AND DEFENDS HIS COURSE
IN TURKEY
EVERY MISSIONARY EXCEPT ONE IN ASIA MINOR
HAS EXPRESSED GRATITUDE FOR HIS WORK
no CHARGES FILED AGAINST HIM

HAS EXPRESSED GRATITUDE FOR HIS WORK
no CHARGES FILED AGAINST HIM.
Washington. May 2-Mnlster Terrell. replying 10
inquiries to-day concerning statements that William
f. Dodge and others with the Rev H. o. Dwight
OF Constantinople. had asked his removal from the
post OF Minister of Turkey. said he had been in
formed that Mr.. Dwight had been instrumental In
the formation OF Defence Committee" composed
of laymen. which should be the medium of commu-
nicaton between certain foreign mission enterprises
and this Government. Mr.. Dwight met that commit
tee and presented his views OF Turkish affairs.
Mr.. Terrell. referring to the visi, OF this commit
tee to Washington hardly thought they would re-
quest his removal any parte information
They filed charges he said does he think
that Mr.. Dwight desired his removal. Mission
aries at every post in Asia Minor save one ea!d
Mr.. Terrell. have expressed 10 their gratitude
for life and rights protected That post Is occupied
by a missionary teacher who refuses TO swear TO
support the Constitution OF his country because ne
cannot find God in IT. | had him also protected by
a guard Once when requested by the Ottoman
Government 20 expe that man. | answered that I
came to protect my countrymen, not TO expe
them"
Mr. Terrell freely admits tina; he has heard of OPP
position 10 his diplomatic course. Two years ago
he said certain newspapers assailed him for dining
too often with the Sultan and for n0t protecting
Americans. THE last charge" said he, was known
to be utterly false and the first so idioiic that
disregarded 1t. Whatever men may MINK OF the
Sultan of Turkey. he is an intellectual ana courte-
Gus sovereign whose courtcsies | accepted, and
have felt called to destroy my influence by
accusing him the author of atrocities. lie mas
protected American missionaries whenever requested
during period of fearful trial as promptly as any
Christian monarch in Europe could
1T should be known that in Constantinople the
entire American colony consists of only about nifty
four persons all OF whom except four are mis-
sionary educators or Bible House people. We have
in the interior of Asia Minor. away from the sea-
coast perhaps three times American mis-
sonaries than all Europe has. In fact. we nave
no other class of people there They are engaged
in school ea ching among races of primitive Chris
tians whose ancestors attended all the early coun-
ellis of the Church. except one. and have had the
Rible and worshipped the Christians God for loo
wears Generally, these teachers are rehned, wen
educated, and are doing great educatiohal WORK,
In all. missionaries NUMBER az. lnef nav
been illuminated ana unJustiy accuseu VI ''0i'"s
sedtion. ,,o,os hoo, tu,ad ."
Not one: but France and Italy are TODAY claim
ing indemnity for their Catholic priests slaughtered
during recent riots. and many priests amonS the
Catholic Armenians have persisted Less IMAM "A
wear ago an English consul was killed and Russian
and a French vlce-consul were wounded by Ma
hometans at Jedda. but Europe Is anxious TO pre-
serve the peace and the incident did not provoke
war" ., 49,, ,
Replying TO the question as to whether the mis-
sionaries ask the United States for more aggres-
sive policy. Mr.. Terrell said: our couhtrymeh
science: but their lives progress In the main Of
sentiment, and have not always been ape IN prac-
tical affairs TO conform 10 their desires. me pro
portion OF mprudent men among our CITIZENS IN
Turkey | believe TO be very small. ana. as "ho.e
prudent peaceful and Just class OF men nave
never known.