The herald., 1897-04-07
For the Damage Done by
the Turks
0UTRAcES ON MISSIONARIES
MAY YET COST THE SULTAN
DEAR
The Adoption Of a Vigorous Foreign
Policy to Be Followed by
Prompt Action
A Associated Press special Wire.

| Associated Press Special Wire.
WASHINGTON, April 6.-The adop-
tion of a vigorous policy to secure from
the Turkish goverpment a settlement Of
the claiRfs preferred by the United
states on account of the destruction Of
AMERICAN missionary property and out
RACES to American missionaries CON-
mitted during the uprising against the
Armenians in the fall of 1895, is being
considered by the new administration
and probably will be put into operation
soon- President McKinley's program
contemplates the sending to Constanti-
nople of Hon. John w. Foster, former
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 the
speedy trial of those American citizens
against whom charges have been made
by the Turkish officials.
The president probably will send to
congress a message recommending that
authority be given him to commission
special ambassador to Turkey for this
purpose and while no name will be pro-
posed by the message Mr.. Foster will be
entrusted with the mission in the event
that congress gives to the president the
power which he desires. Mr.. Foster has
already been asked to undertake the mis-
sion, and although he was at first re-
luctant to accept, he finally consented to
do so on certain conditions.
Under the proposed arrangement Mr.
Foster will be sent to Turkey when the
resignation of Mr.. Terrell is accepted, TO
serve as envoy extraordinary with rank
of ambassador until his work has been
performed, and then give place to the
minister who will be appointed as Mr.
TerrelIs successor.
Several questions are at issue between
the United tSates and Turkey as re-
suit of the Armenian troubles, the sat-
isfactory adjustment of which the sui
tan has refused or postponed from time
to time and which the administration
desires to settle. Claims amounting 10
$3.50 900 have been presented to Minister
Terrell on account of the damages done
to the Euphrates college at Harpoo!,
which is the property of the American
board of foreign missions. to the Marash
theological seminary and the residence
of an American missionary at Hasquey,
a suburb of Constantinople. Remon-
strances have been made on account or
the treatment of Rev. G. 7. Knapp, an
American ullSSlpudiy y NilS Noo SeeeeAotA
ed at Bitlis, and was expelled from the
Turkish empire on a charge of melting
Armenians to rebellion.
The sultan. has refused to recognize
Messrs Bergholz and Hunter who two
years ago were sent by the United States
as consuls to Erzeroum and Harpool
They reached their posts after some
trouble. but being unable to secure rec
ognition or perform their duties as con-
suls withdrew and few months after
ward occurred the disturbance at Har-
pool, in which the American college was
looted and property worth 100000 de-
stroyed.
The new administration desires to Sc
cure the payment of the claims for dam
ages preferred by Mr.. Terrell, to secure
trials for Mr.. Knapp and other Ameri-
cans to gain permission for Mr.. Knapp
to return to his post and have the con-
suls who have been accredited to Turk
ish cities recognized as the churches of
the country have made strong requests
that these things be done
Members of the senate committee on
foreign relations and the Republican
leaders in the house who have been con-
suited are of the opinion that bill to
authorize the president to send spe-
cial representative to Turkey would not
be opposed in congress. In the house no
legislation can be had except by unani-
nous consent or by special rule. Mr..
Hit said there would be no opposition on
the ground of expense, because the bill
would provide that the ambassador
would receive only the salary of the min
lister to Turkey during the term of his
service.