The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1898-09-23
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Ex-Minister Angel Says Only
Naval Display VIII Compel
Turkey to Pay Claims
THE SULTAN FEARS AMERICAN SHIPS.
Difference Between Our Claims and
Those of the European Powers
Pointed Opt-sultan Disclaims Any
Responsibility for the killing OF
Missionaries In Turkey.

New York, Sept. 22.-Col. John Hay,
former ambassador to Great Britain,
and President j. B. Angel, of the Uni
versity of Michigan, who for more
than year has been the United States
minister to Turkey, We're among the
passengers on the Teutonic.
Prof. Angel was unsuccessful in Sc
curing the payment of the American
claims upon the Turkish government,
but ON the journey across the Allan
tic he was frequently in conference
with Col. Hay, and undoubtedly took
advantage of the opportunity to
inform the new secretary of
state of the situation in Tur-
key. It is the desire of the president
that the claims against the porte
shall be settled as promptly as pos
sible, and the information which Mr..
Angel will be able to impart to the
government will be extremely valu-
nble in the effort to compel the sultan
to make good the damages inflicted
upon Americans living in Turkey.
| Sultan Disclnims Responsibilities.
In the course of conversation with
reporter Mr.. Angel said:
There is little new that can say re-
| garding the situation in Turkey Perfect
tranquility prevailed while was there
and no massacres occurred in Armenia or
/ the Balkans
Is 1t true that the United States intends
| to enforce the payment of it's claims by
demonstration OF force?" he was asked.
II have not heard of it," he replied I'VE
made these claims, as did the other pow
AWn fAN, a f..aS -Az ~. a.
| upon our missionaries. The sultan, how
ever. refuses to recognize them and de-
| MES his responsibility. Whether an at
tempt will be made to collect these claims
| by force OF arms or a demonstration is a
matter for the government alone to decide.
When moral pressure is brought to bear
| upon him the sultan declares that the dam
ages were the result of mob riots and that,
therefore. he Is not responsible. Indeed, he
has actually told the European powers that
he is entitled to indemnities from them be-
i cause Europeans shot at and killed Turkish
/ soldiers from their houses.
Armed Denomination Is Necessary.
zone thing would like to lay stress on
and that Is that our claims are different
| from the European demands. The Euro
peans suffered their damages in general
! mob riots, but our claims rest upon much
stronger basis. The property of the Amer
leans was destroyed not In general riot,
but by soldiers who were put to guard the
property and who were consequently the
agents of the government. I placed that
view before the sultan strongly, but the
answer he gave me was the same as be-
fore. 1t seems to me that an armed dem
onstration is the only means whereby the
| Turkish government can be made to make
the restitution asked for.
THE Turkish warships can best be de-
scribed as tubs. The sultan watched the
war between Spain and the United States
very closely and the impression made by
our navy won his respect and admiration.
He often spoke to me about our cannon
and ships and he may in the near future
order some ships built here. I told him
that the cannon and ships were all right.
but he would have to look to the men be-
hind the guns. said this because know
the Turkish army. although thoroughly
drilled, has but little firing practice be-
cause no money is devoted to that pur-
pose"
"supposing the claims against Turkey
should be pressed, would its treasury be
able to meet them?"
''Well, you see, bankrupt has an adj
vantage. He can pay nothing and owe the
rest" was Mr.. Angeles epigrammatic an