Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1897-04-15
A VIGOROUS FOREIGN POLICY
Turks Will Be Taught That
They Cannot Trifle.
THE ADMINISTRATIONS PLANS

Ex-Secretsry Foster Slated to Go to
nent Of Our Claims With Turkey.
Washington, April S.-The adoption
OF vigorous policy to secure from the
Turkish government settlement of the
claims preferred by the United States
on account of the destruction of Ameri-
can missionary property and outrages
to American missionaries, committed
during the uprising against Armenians
in the fall of 1895, is being considered
by the administration, and probably
will be put into operation soon. Presi-
dent McKinley's programme contem-
plates the sending to Constantinople of
John w. Foster, former secretary of
state, as special envoy with the rank
of ambassador, to secure from the sui
tan 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 message recommend
ing that authority be given him to COM
mission special ambassador to Turkey
for this purpose, and, while no name
will be proposed by the message, Mr..
Foster will be entrusted with the mis-
sion in the event that congress gives to
the president the power which he de-
sires. Mr.. Foster has already been
asked to undertake the mission, and,
although he was at first reluctant 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 ac-
cepted, to serve there as envoy extraor-
dinary, with the rank of ambassador,
until his work has been performed, and
then give place to the minister who
will be appointed as Terrell's successor.
Several questions are at issue be-
tween the United States and Turkey as
result of the Armenian troubles, the
satisfactory adjustment of which the
sultan has refused or postponed from
time to time, and which the admins
tration desires to settle. Claims
amounting to $3.50, 900 have been pre-
sented by Minister Terrell on account
of damages done to the Euphrates col
lege, at Harpoot, which is the property
of the American board of foreign mis-
sions, to the Marash theological semi
nary at Hasquey, suburb of Constan-
tinople. Remonstrances have been
made on account of the treatment OF
Rev. G.. P. Knapp, an American mis-
sionary, who was stationed at Bitlis,
and was expelled from the Turkish en-
pire on charge of melting Armenians
to rebellion. The sultan has refused
to recognize Messrs. Bergholz and Hun
ter, who two years ago were sent by
the United States as consuls to Erze-
roum and Harpoot. They reached their
posts after some trouble, but, being
unable to secure recognition or perform
their duties as consuls, withdrew, and
few months afterward occurred the
disturbance at Harpoot, in which the
American college was looted and prop
erty worth 800, 900 destroyed.
The new administration desires to
secure the payment of the claims for
HohiaScS pISleTTeu ny MT. leTTell, 10
secure trials for Knapp and other Amer
leans, to gain permission for Mr..
Knapp to return to his post. and to
have the consuls who have been accred-
tied to Turkish 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 objection can be made, except
by unanimous consent. Mr.. Hit said
there would be no opposition on account
OF expense, because the bill would pro-
vide that the ambassador receive only
the salary of the minister to Turkey
during his term of service.