The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-04-08
Charged With Inciting the Ar
menians to Sedition.
PERSECUTION OF REV. DR.. KNAPP
The United States Will Probably
demonstrate With Turkey.
Expulsion OF All the Christian Mission-
aries and Red Cross Agents Contem-
plated by the suitan-Ths Imperial
Trade Signed but Not Yet Issued.

yond a reasonable doubt that Rev. George
c. Knapp, one of the American mission
aries. Is confne3 in Jail at Diareekir.
Turkish Armenia, and serious conphca-
tons are more than likely to follow. II Is
further announced that Knapp is 10 be
sent from Diarbekir 10 Alexandria port
on the Gulf of Iskanderun to be either
shipped out of the country or delivered to
representatives of the United States. At
the first intimation Of trouble the United
States charge d'afrairs caoled TO Wash
ingfon City for further instructions, and
II is now said the United States squadron
In the Mediterranean, consisting or nag
ship Minneapolis. commanded by Admiral
Selfridge, and the cruiser Msrbiehcad.
will shortly assemble on the Gulf of 1skan-
derun, and a formal protest against the
treatment of American missionaries may
be made to the porte, coupled with a de-
mand for adequate indemnity for the dam
age recently done to the property of Amer
leans. The imprisonment and proposed
expulsion of Mr.. Knapp is understood to
be but a preliminary TO the expulsion of
all Christian missionaries, mostly Ameri-
cans, English and French Catholics, from
Asiatic Turkey. and possibly from Euro
psan Turkey as well, 1t is rumored that
the agents of the American Red Cross So
ciety, now distributing relief funds in
Asiatic Turkey, will also be expelled from
that part of the empire. IL Is stated that
an imperial trade providing for such ex-
pulsion has already been signed by the
sultan. although not issued from the pal
ace. A panic exists among the Armenians
in the district of Sueiich, owing. it is ex-
planned, TO the presence there of a strong
force of Turkish troops
The United States charge d'aTaires has
obtained from the porte the assurance
that the vail OF Aleppo has been instructed
70 vf.aa, cEs,faar rfs In,
the Suedich district.
In spite of the assurances of the Turk
ish government, in view of past expe-
riences. ii is considered quite important
that the porte should promptly be made
aware that the United States. acting in
dependentry If necessary, is determined
TO protect the rights and property of its
citizens in the sultan's domiDions.
or course, in the matter OF the arrest i'm
prisonment ard proposed expulsion of Rev.
DR.. Knapp, as in all other cases of SIM
ilar nature. there are two sides TO the
question. The claim made by the friends
of the American missionary is that he is
being prosecuted by the Turkish authori-
ties. On the other hand. the Turkish Off
cia!s assert that Rev. DR.. Knapp has per-
sistently encouraged seditious movements
among the Armenians. in spite of several
official warnings. 1t should be added. how
ever. that a disinterested observer, Nr
Hamptpa, fhe British ecDssi at Bitlis. has
carefully Inquired into the charges brought
against DIR. Knapp snd has pronounced
them TO be absurd. The American mission
ary, nevertheless, was informed that IL
had been decided to try him before the
criminal court on the charge Of ccnspiring
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 lat
ter's advice. Mr. Terrell telegraphed 70
the missionary TO obey. under protest. the
orders of the Turkish authorities. pending
action upon the part of the United States
minister here Mr.. Terrell then notified
the porte that ne would not consent to hav-
ing Mr.. Knapp tried in the manner pro-
posed, and suggested that the case I've
brought before a mixed commission II
was later decided to try the missionary
here. in the presence of representative
Of the United States government. But II
appears that the roads were so blocked
with snow until the end Of the month that
the missionary was unable to travel 10 this
city. Hence. IL seems. his arrest and i'm
pr!sonment at Diarbekir. pending his ex-
pulsion from Asiatic Turkey. and also,
it seems. the determination Of the sultan
to expel all Christian missionaries and
agents OF the American Red Cross Society
from Turkey
II Is believed here that only prompt and
energetic action will prevent the issuing OF
the imperial trade providing for the .pui-
sion OF the missionaries and Red Cross So
ciety agents.
IL Is not impossible, according to the re-
port. that the British government may
take immediate steps to protest against
the expulsion of the missionaries and that
the Marquis of Salisbury in this instance
will be supported by the French govern
ment. Here arises a delicate Question
Russia Is seemingly tho ally Of France and
the strong supporter of Turkey under any
circumstances, but, should France deter
mine TO take action in this case IL Is ar
ffcnlt TO see how she can do so without
in some degree ernbroillBg herself with
Russia. II is Just upon this point that
rests the hope that France. through Rus
sia, viii prevail upon the sultan not to is
sue the imperial trade providing for the
expulsion OF the missionaries and the
American Red Cross agents. and that this
may avert any serious trouble, possibly on
think II proper 20 insist upon obtaining
complete satisfaction for the persecution
Of Mr. Knapp. who. by the way is not the
only American missionary said 10 have
strong grounds for complaint against the
Turkish authorities.
Washington city. Anril No orders
have gone 20 Admiral seifrSdge 10 gather
his feet in the Gulf Of iskanderun To make
a demonstration against Turkey AL
though he has large measure OF dlscre-
lion and authority in the movements OF
his snips it Is unlikely that he would 90 50
far as 70 make a naval demonstration
without the sanction and direction OF the
naval department