The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-05
CLAIMS AGAINST TURKEY.
American Representatives Instructed
to Press a Settlement.

The newly accredited envoy of the
United States to the Ottoman porte car
ries instructions looking to the disposal
of matters in controversy with TuT-
key for number of years. He is es-
pecially charged to press for a just set
tlement OF our claims for indemnity by
reason of the destruction of property of
American missionaries resident in that
country during the Armenian troubles
of 1895. well as for the recognition
Of older claims of equal business. He
is also instructed to seek an adjustment
OF the dispute growing out of the refus-
al OF Turkey to recognize the acquired
citizenship of Ottoman born persons
naturalized in the United States since
1859, without imperial consent; and in
the same general relation he is directed
to endeay0r TO bring a bout a solution of
the question which has more or less ac-
utely existed since 1869 concerning the
jurisdiction and rights of the United
States in matters of criminal procedure
and punishment under article ". OF the
treaty of 1880. This latter difficulty
grows out of verbal difference.
claimed by Turkey to be essential be-
tween the original Turkish text and the
promulgated translation After more
than two years from the appointment Of
a consul of this country TO ErZerOum he
has received his eXequatur.
The arbitral tribunal appointed under
the treaty of February. 1897, between
Great Britain and Venezuela TO deter
mine the boundary line line between
the latter and the colony of British
the present month 1t is a source of
much qualification TO this government
to see the friendly resort of arbitration
applied to the settlement of this cOnrrO-
versy not alone because of the earnest
part We have had in bringing about the
result. but also because the two mem
bers named on behalf of Venezuela, Mr..
chief Justice Fuller and MI Justice
Brewer, chosen from our highest court,
appropriately testify the continuing in
terest We feel in the definitive adjust
. 49,
strctest rules Of justice The British
members. Lord Herschel and Sir Rich
ard Collins are 5urists of no less ex-
allied repute, while the fifth member
and president of the tribunal, NJ F.
Demartens, has earned a worldwide
reputation as an authority upon inter
national law. The claim of Felipe
Scandella against Venezuela for arbi-
trary expulsion and injury to his bust
ness, has been adjusted by the revoca-
ton of the order of expulsion and by the
payment of the sum of $500
I have the satisfaction of being able
to state that the bureau of the Ameri-
can republics, created in 1890 as the or
gan for promoting commercial inter
course and fraterna1 relations among
the countries OF the whole western
hemisphere has become a more efficient
instrument OF the wise purpose OF its
founders, and is receiving the cordial
support of the contributing members of
the international union which are ac-
tualIy represented in its board of man
agement A commercial directory in
two volumes containing a mass OF sta
tistical matter descriptive of the indus
trial and commercial interests of the va
rious countries has been printed in
English, Spanish, Portuguese and
French and a monthly bulletin pub
ushed in these four languages and dis
tributed in the Latin-American cOun-
tries we'll as in the United States,
has proved to be valuable medium
for disseminating information and fur
theTing the varied interests Of the inter-
national union
During the past year the important
work OF collecting information Of prac-
teal benefit TO American industries and
trade through the agency of the dipIo-
matte and consular Offices has been
steadily advanced and in order to lay
such data before the public with the
least delay the practice was begun in
January, 1888, of issuing the commercial
reports from day to day, as they are re
ceiVed by the department of state. It
is believed for promptitude, as well as
of FITNESS of information, the service
thus supplied TO our merchants and
manufacturers will be found TO show
sensible Improvement and to merit the
liberal support of congress
The experiences of the last year bring
foTcibIy home to US a sense Of The bur
dens and the waste Of war We desire
in common with most civilized nations
TO reduce 10 the lowest posi- bic point
the damage sustained in time Of war
by peaceabie trade and commerce Tt
is true we may suffer in such cases, less
than other communities. but all nations
are damaged more or less by the state
OF uneasiness and apprehension into
which an outbreak of hOstilitieS throws
the entire commercial world It should
be our object, therefore, to minimize. 50