New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-07
TURKEY MUST SETTLE UP.
A VIGOROUS POLICY DECIDED ON BY THE
PRESIDENT.

BAssApoR TO SECURE PAYMENT OF BAN
AGES FOR oUTRAGEs on MISSION
ARIES AND SETTLE OTHER
CONTROVERSIES.
Washington April 6.-The adoption Of vigor-
policy to secure from the Turkish Govern
ment a settlement OF the claims preferred BY the
United States account of the destruction or
property and outrages to American missionaries
committed during the Armenian disorders In the
fall Of 1895 is being considered by the new Ad-
mnistration, and will probably be put into opera
tiol soon. President McKnley's programme
contemplates the sending to Constantinople or
John w. Foster, formerly Secretary of state, as a
special envoy. with the rank of Ambassador, to
secure from the Sultan the payment Of the claims
which have been filed and speedy trials Of
those American citizens against whom charges
have been made by Turkish officials.
The President will probably send to Congress
a message recommending that authority be given
TO him to commission a special Ambassador to
Turkey for this purpose, and while no name VIII
he proposed in the message Mr.. Foster Will be
intrusted with the mission If Congress gives to
the President the power which he desires Mr..
Foster has already been asked 10 undertake the
work and although he was at first reluctant to
accept it he finally consented TO do so on certain
conditions.
APPROVED BY LEADERS IN CONGRESS-.
The programme has been under consideration
for several days, and meets the approval Of the
leaders Of both parties in Congress who have
been consulted. among them Senator'S Hoar and
Lodge. Of Massachusetts, and Proctor, Of Yer
mont who have interested themselves actively
in the matter: Senators Morgan. Of Alabama.
and Mills, Of Texas: Speaker Reed and Repre-
sentative Hit. the leader in the House in dpo-
matte matters.
President Mckinley and Secretary Sherman
discussed the unsatisfactory policy Of the Turk
ish Government in regard to American claims
after the Administration came into power.
1t was suggested at first that the representative
Of the United States in Constantinople he raised
to the rank OF Ambassador and Mr.. Foster be
appointed to the office but this proposition had
several drawbacks. One Of them was that mis-
sion once advanced to AmbassadOrial rank could
not we'll he reduced afterward. This Govern
ment would not care to maintain an Ambassador
at Constantinople nor was it known that the
Sultan would reciprocate by accredting an Am
bassador to the United States. Moreover. Mr.
Foster did not care to accept such an office.
Under the proposed arrangement Mr. Foster
may be sent to Turkey when the resignation Of
Minister Terrell Is accepted. to serve there as
Envoy Extraordinary with the rank Of Ambas-
sador until his work has been performed, and
then give place to the Minister who will be ap-
pointed as Mr. Terrelrs successor. No reflection
upon the abilities of Minister Terrell will be in
vOlved in this plan. for any representative with
the rank Of Minister works under a heavy hand-
cap at a capital whore all the larger Powers
and several Of the smaller ones are represented
a ,t.o-- J,r- To- not
with the sovereign readily as can an Ann
bassador can he meet upon equal terms
with the Ambassadors in the consideration of
questions relating to treaties which may greatly
affect American interests.
THE QUESTIONS AT ISSUE.
Several questions are at issue between the
United States and Turkey as a result OF the Ar
merriam troubles the satisfactory adjustment Of
which the Sultan has refused or postponed from
time to time. and which the Administration de-
sires to settle Claims amounting to $4,000
have been presented by Minister Terrell on ac-
count Of the damages done to the Euphrates
College at HarpOot. which is the property Of the
American Board IF Foreign Missions; to the
Marash Theological Seminary. and the house Of
an American missionary at ffasquey, suburb
of Constantinople Remonstrances have been
made on account of the treatment of the Rev.
G.. p Knapp an American missionary. who was
stationed at Bitlis and was expelled from tn"
Turkish Empire on a charge of having melted
Armcnans to rebellion. Mr.. Knapp has been
unable 10 secure admittdnCe to Turkey Dr 10
secure a trial, although it Is asserted that MS
banishment without trial is in violation Of trecty
rights. The deportation Of another missionary
working for the American Board. Mr. McCailu,n,
was attempted at the time Mr.. Knapp was de-
ported but Sir William Curre. the British Am
bassador learning that he was a citizen OF
canada made such vigorous representations to
the Porte that the missionary was escorted back
to his post. Mr. Knapp is now waiting in Ber-
lin for permission to return. Charges similar To
thos. against him were preferred against 9th nr
missionaries who were not expelled, but they
have not been brought 10 trial
The Sultan has refused to recognize Messrs.
Rereholz and Hunter who two years ago were
eent by the United States as COnsulS to Ere
roum and Harpoot. They reached their posts af-
ter some trouble but. being unable to secure
recognition or perform their duties as consuls.
withdrew and few months afterwar1 the Cis-
turbances at Harpoot occurred. in which the
American college was looted and property worth
S1O0 600 DESTROYED. Mr.. BetgholZ has since re-
turned 10 Erzeroum. but has not been recOg-
niZed No apology or explanation has been Of
fered nor any redress given Tor any or these
acts President Cleveland ana Secretary Olney
at one time considered the advisabity of BLOCK
aiding the port Of Smyrna TO secure redress, but
ed the idea rarity because the revenues
of the cuStom-house were mor'saSeo 10 E"ro
pean Governments.
The now Administration desires 10 secure the
payment of the claims for damages preferred by
Mr.. Terrell. to secure trials FOR Mr.. Knapp ana
other Americans against whom charges nave
been made to gain permission for MIR. Knapp TO
return TO his post. and TO have the consuls VINO
have been accredited to Turkish cities recog-
nized The churches Of the country have made
strong requests that these things be cone
MR.. FOSTERS FITNESS FOR THE WORK.
Since the Turkish question has been under
consideration. Mr. Fosters name has been the
only one suggested best qualified to secure
for the United states the same rights accorded
to other Powers for their citizens in Turkey His
abilities as a diplomat and a lawyer, which
were displayed in the state department. anu
moro recentlv in the conduct of the negotiations
for peace between Japan and China, ac-
knowledged and Secretary Sherman ex-Secre-
tary Olney and several Senator'S among them
Nessrs Morgan and Mills, who are Democrats.
have advocated his appointment Mr. Foster
does not desire the mission. but has indicated
that he will take it as a matter OF duty II called