Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-01-17
MISSIONARIES IN TURKEY.
United States Should Insist On Payment
of Our just Claims.

| To the Editor of the Spy: More than
two years ago property of American
citizens in Turkey to the extent of over
100000 was destroyed by mobs, assist
ed and even led by uniformed officers of
the Turkish army. These charges for
indemnity have been carefully investi-
gated by our government, through Eng
lish consuls, and the reasonableness and
justice of the claims fully verified: but
nothing has been paid, in spite of re-
peated demands and it is becoming evil
dent that the porte intends to pay moth
ing unless forced to do so.
In all the history of Turkish diplo-
macy, Turkey has never paid an indem-
nifty charge without the expressed de-
termination of the power preferring the
claim to collect it at all hazards, and it
is equally true that when such a dis
play has taken place, she has always at
the last moment paid. In other words,
Turkey never pays a just bill until
forced to do so, and never resists the
collection of a just indemnity when it is
presented with determination and force
The delay on the part Of our govern
ment in collecting this claim is inter-
preted by the sultan and his officers as
a confession of weakness, and they re-
gard it as fairly safe to destroy Ameri-
can property and put In jeopardy Amer
lean life. Unless our government soon
takes vigorous action and collects these
claims, the hundreds of thousands of
dollars worth of American property still
left undestroyed in that country will
have little value and the lives of our
own citizens who are connected with it
can expect little consideration. In the
mind of the Turk, a government which
has not acted under previous provoca-
ton, will overlook almost anything they
may do in the future
The six great powers of Europe have
now prepared an identical note to the
sultan, demanding immediate payment
of all losses in Turkey sustained by the
citizens of those respective govern
ments. None of the citizens of these
countries have met with the indignities
and losses which our own people have
suffered 1t is of the utmost Importance
that our government, now that the war
indemnity to Turkey is decided upon,
press her claims with new vigor, backed
by a feet which will convince Turkey
that we are not afraid Of her and that
we mean to protect American property
and life everywhere, even in the Tur-
kish empire
Our minister at Constantinople is
wise and safe man, in whom this coun-
try has the utmost confidence. A
strong fleet at his disposal, accompanied
by peremptory demands for payment,
unless all precedents fail, would procure
the money due and, what is more i'm
portant, secure for life and property in
the future protection and safety. Aus
tria has recently set US an example of
the way Turkey must be dealt with in
order to secure justice.
If Turkey is permitted to defy all
treaties and set at defiance every prin-
ciple of international law in her treat
ment of our citizens and property, how
can we expect that other half-civi1ized
nations will do any better? Our govern
ment cannot afford to daily with this
question longer but ought at once to
press her claims in such manner that
there can be no doubt as to her inten-
ion,