The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-04-10
she HAS A CHURCH OF HER OWN
Russian Priests to Take the Place of
the Expelled Clergy.
When Russia saved Turkey From Eng
tectorate Over Armenia. Which
Province She Is Now About 10 Rus
Well as America, Indignant.

all give prominence to reports OF .he meet
ing yesterday of the Armenian relief COM
mittee, presided over by the Duke of Ar
gyie. 20 protest against the proposed expul-
sion from Asiatic Turkey of the Protestant
and Roman Catholic missionaries al which
G. Z. Schwann, NJ. P, urged resolu-
ton earnestly requesting the government
TO take immediate steps to obtain the re-
lease Of Rev. George w. Knapp. the Amer
ican missionary. formerly of Bitlis, who IS
being expelled from Turkey on the alleged
grounds that he has melted Armenians TO
revolt against Turkish rule. Canon Gore
and Sir ]. Kenniway. N. P. OF the COM
nittee appointed for that purpose. will call
the attention of the Conservative leader in
the house Of commons. A. J. Balfour, TO
the matter. and ask that he urge an In
crease in the number of British consuls In
Asiatic Turkey. as their presence there will
have q salutary effect in preventing out
RACES upon Christians and In aiding in the
work of relieving the distressed Armenians.
The Duke OF Westminster who has re-
ceiyed direct information that the sultan
proposes to expel the Protestant and Ro-
man Catholic missionaries from Assatic
Turkey. Is communicating on the subject
with the Marquis Of Salisbury.
Paris, April 9.-Considerable irritation
against Turkey has been caused by the re-
ports from Constantinople and London that
the sultan had decided to expel all Roman
Catholic and Protestant missionaries from
Asiafic Turkey. The newspapers. part.cu-
larly the Figaro. have taken up the ques-
ton as one directly and strongly affecting
Christianity. and so calling for prompt and
effective action. The Figaro complains or
the deception that Turkish officials have
practiced upon the world at large in the
whitewashlng stories of the massacres sent
out bv the Turkish government, and ex-
presses the hope that France VIII not per-
NIT the missionaries TO be expelled from
Asiatic Turkey. Other newspapers express
similar views and hope that the French
government will act with promptness and
energy in the matter.
Constantinople, April 9.-It now appears.
according 10 a sem.-ofIlcial statement. that
tho Turkish government bases its action
in expelling. or allowing expulsion by the
local authorities of Bitlis Of American
Missionary Knapp on an understanding
reached between the porte and United
States Minister Terrell 1t is said 1t was
agreed between the government and Ter
reu that Knapp should leave Bills April I.
aud as the missionary took no steps to de-
part. the local officers politely Invited him
10 feave. Knapp has left Diarbekir for
Aleppo, where. unless the plans OF the
Turkish government are nterfered with.
he will be "invited" to go to Alexandria
to embark on a steamer.
1t is generally believed the expulsion OF
Knapp is the first step taken by the sultan
in the direction of expelling all Protestant
and Catholic missionaries and agents OF
the American Red Cross Society from Ar
menia. There are several reasons given
for this movement. but the affair may be
summed up in the statement that there Is
no doubt that Russia and Turkey are
alarmed at the effect OF the work of mis-
sionaries in Armenia and elsewhere. and
that II has practically been decided that
they are to be expelled under some excuse
or other in order TO make way for priests
of the Russian church. This Is believed 20
be the basis of the understanding or secret
treaty arrived at between Russia and Tur-
key when the fleets of the powers had as
sembled In the bay of Salonica and the
question of coercing Turkey by display
of naval strength before Constantinople
had been almost decided upon.
According to the explanations furnished
here OF the sultan's present attitude
toward the missionaries, the threatening
attitude OF the powers at that time threw
Turkey into the arms OF Russia, and the
latter. after debating her terms. caused
the breakup Of the European combina-
tion against the Turkish empire by refus-
ing to take part in any such demonsira-
ton and by threatening TO protect the sui
tan by force of arms II necessary. Hence
the assembling OF the Russian Black sod
squadron In readiness for Immediate ac-
tion and the gathering of Russian army
corps on the frontiers OF Asia'ic Turkey.
Russia. il IL now asserted. cleverly took
advantage Of the desperation OF the sui
tan 10 obtain virtual protectorate over
Armenia. But such n step openly taken
would In all probability have led 10 seri-
ous troubles Therefore II was decided to
begin the Russianizing ot Asiat'c Turkey
~. ffrs
Ollie missionaries and TO substitute priests
Of the Russian church. A plausible pre-
text, however. had TO be found for such
an important move, and 1t was agreed
thar the work Of the missionaries should
be pointed to being Of disquieting
nature and as likely 10 inciie the ArTneni-
ans to rebellion. This was 70 be followed
by closely watching the most active OF
the missionaries 10 prepare the ground
work for charges against them by encour-
aging the Armenians 10 revolt against the
su,ta~s rule
During the last series Of Tnassacres in Ar
meria It was continuously claimed that the
uprlsingS were the work of the Armenian
revolutionary agents: lately, however.
since the collapse Of the proposed naval
demonstration. as a result of the secret
agreement arrived al between Turkey and
Russia, Il has been whispered In the right
quarters thar the missionaries were At the
hack Of the revolutionary agents; that 10
The missionaries should be traced the real
cause Of the uprising and that upon theus
should fall the blame for the bl0odshed BY
the Turks in "suppressnE disorders.
Such an argument was we'll worthy or
Turkish diplomacy and Eastern cunning IN
general, and It could not fail 70 excite the
Turks against the missionaries
Finally IL was decided TO begin with
Rev. Or. Knapp, who has probably been
tho most Jealous Of all the active work
ers in the cause Of Christianity in Asiaiic
Turkey. and he was eventually openly
charged with melting the AEmenians OF
Rltlis 10 revolt and was to have been tried
by tbs local court there on the charge or
high treason. People familiar with the
methods OF the Turks have not the slight
est doubt that the American missionary
would have. beer found guilty. and that
alleged proof would have been furnished
not only Of his guilt. but Of the quit OF
the missionaries as body Here IL was
that the United States minister later
.ered. and that the hand Of the Turk was
STAYED for while But. as no~ clearly
shown. Mr.. Knapp Is being expelled from
AstatJc Turkey, and nobody here do1efs
tha; his is the first OF a series OF such
explosions which wiil end In dFiviag all
Of the American British AMI French mis-
siorz~ies out OF Turkey. al the Instance
af Russia and in accordance with the lat
;er's policy Of beginning the Outstanding
of Aslatlc Turkey
Washington City. Apra s.-Ii can be stat
- On ..,. so-4fy that there - 10 reason for