Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-03-25
Copyright. 1897. Associated Press.)

Copyright, 1897, Associated Press.)
Constantinople, March 24-The steps
! taken by the. Sultan TO punish the
Turkish officials who are held respon-
sibe for the massacre of one hundred
Armenians at TOkat, in the Sivas dis
trict of Asia Minor, and the pillaging
of the Armenian quarter Of Tokat for
eight hours, are not satisfactory TO the
ambassadors of the powers and unless
there is a change in the situation very
soon, it is believed that some of the
powers will be compelled by public
opinion to make a radical change OF
their policy towards Crete and Greece.
The remonstrance of Sir Philip Cur
rie, the British ambassador, was one OF
the strongest ever delivered by an am
bassador concerning the massacres in
Armenia. and was intended for stern
notification to the Porte that further
outbreaks in Armenia would not pass
without vigorous action upon the part
of the powers. The immediate result
was the calling of an extraordinary
meeting of the council of ministers at
/ the Yildiz Kiosk last evening, at the
end of which the ambassadors were no.
titled that the Sultan has ordered the
dismissal of the prefect of police and
chief of the gendarmerie Of Tokat for
not preventing the massacres and for
failing to promptly put an end to the
pillaging of the Armenian quarter OF
that city. The mere dismissal of the
two Turkish officials is not considered
sufficient to demonstrate the displeas-
ure of the Sultan at the wanton killing
of a hundred Armenians, and is further
/ looked upon as being likely to encour-
age additional outbreaks of the same
nature. Consequently Sir Philip Cur
rie has made fresh representations to
the Porte, setting forth that serious
consequences will follow the failure Of
the Sultan to really punish those who
are responsible for the Tokat outrage.
THE AMBASSADORS NET
at the residence of the British ambassa-
dor last evening and thoroughly dis
cussed the matter, after which dis
patches were sent by those present to
the capitals of the powers they repre-
sent
Although the result of this meeting
of the ambassadors has not been al
lowed to become generally known, in
departmental circles here the opinion
prevails that unless the ambassadors
nut forth definite threats of coercion in
the event of the failure of the Sultan
to adopt prompt and efticacious meas
ures to prevent further massacres in
| Armenia. there is absolutely no hope
of improving the situation, as it has
been so frequently "intimated' to the
Sultan that he must reform that he now
pavs little or no attention to such COM
munications.
In wen-informed political circles it is
generally believed that if fresh outbreaks
occur public opinion in Great Britain
France and Italy will compel the govern
ments of the countries mentioned 10 change
entirely their attitude on the Cretan queS-
| ton. not only towards Crete. but IN re-
! gard to Greece which might mean the
! lifting Of the blockade 30 far as THESE
powers are concerned and their positive
refusal TO take part i'm the proposed MOCK
! ade of the principal ports and coasts oI
| Greece. Indeed. Il is directly lntma,ed
| that this proposition has already b''H
practically abandoned by the three powers
| referred to. not only because such Il sep
| is likely to force Greece into open hostlii-
ties against Turkey. but because the
| Sultan, -,.,-,,-o.
WITH TRUE EASTERN CUNNING,
has taken advantage Of the blockade OF
| Crete by the fleets of the powers ana nonl-
bardncnt Of the :nsurgent by the foreign
warshlps and the assistance given 10 'he
| Turks by the foreign marines TO pace
himself and his government in an entirely
new ueht before the populace here ana
| elsewhere in the ottoman empire. An OIL
| ciaI corrr1unicue was addressed by the
| Turkish government TO the Turkish news
napers and provincial officials yesterday
! renrescnting that the course adopted by
| The movers in Cretan affairs was an eX-
annie Of the success Of the Sultan IN tha'
direction and intimaung that he has the
| fuU srpport Of the powers, with their fleets
and armies. In the repressive measures
which he may choose 20 adopt against the
CHRISTIANS in his dominions. This amounts
practically 10 informing the Mussuimans
| that they have nothing TO fear from the
movers II they massacre Christians. as the
| Christian powers are supporting the SUI
tam against his so-caled rebeliious sub
jects.
This has caused a decidedly bad impress
sion in diplomatic circles in Constan;inorie
and gives additional explanation OF the
determined stand which the British am
bsssador has undoubtedly assumed. as
well as showing clearly how the Sultan
and his advisers regard the so-caIled Con
cert" Of the powers. They know IL does
NOT exist except as hackneyed term, ana
tbev feel II can never exist so long as the
! man of Europe is not radically changed.
| In the meanwhile preparations for war
| or a large scale are being steadily pushed
fo-ycard and the report OF possible agree
! -,srt between Greece and Turkey on the
Isis Of the appointment Of Prince George