The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-09-23
Former Minister Angel Thinks an
Armed Demonstration
Is the Only Means by Which The Sultan Can
Be Brought to Terms.
Whenever Approached to Make
Restitution for the Property
Destroyed the Ruler of Turkey
Refuses to Make Any Answer to
the Specific Matters Laid Be-
fore Him.

fore Him.
NEW YORK, Sept. 22.-The "Tri-
bune" says:
President j. B. Angel of the Univer-
sity of Michigan, who for more than a
year has been the United States Min
lister to Turkey, was among the pas
Sengers on the Teutonic yesterday Mr..
Angel, who has been succeeded in Tur-
key by Oscar Strauss, resigned his po-
sition to renew his administration of
the University of which he is the head.
Mr.. Angel was unsuccessful in secur-
ing the payment of the American
claims upon the Turkish Government,
but on the journey across the Atlantic
he was frequently in conference with
Colonel Hay and took advantage, I'M
doubtedly, of the opportunity to inform
the new Secretary of State of the situa-
ton existing in Turkey. 1t is well
known that it is the desire of the Pres
ident that the claims against the Porte
shall be settled as promptly as possible,
and the information which Mr.. Angel
will be able to impart to the Govern
ment will be extremely valuable in the
good the damages inflicted upon Amer
leans living in Turkey.
In the course of a conversation with a
Tribune" reporter while the Teutonic
was making her way up the bay last
night, Mr.. Angel said: There is lit
tie new that I can say regarding the
situation Perfect tranquility prevailed
while 1 was there, and no massacres
Doll
ans
rs it true that the United States in
tends to enforce the payment of its de-
mands by demonstration of force?"
MIR. Angel was asked.
IT have not heard of it," he replied.
''We made these claims, as did the 9TH
er Powers, for damages inflicted by the
Turks upon our missionaries. The Sui
tan, however, refuses to recognize their
claims and denies his responsibility up
on plea that is unsatisfactory to the
Powers and to the United States.
Whether an attempt will be made to
collect these claims by force of arms or
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 a mob riot and
that therefore, he is not responsible.
Indeed, he has actually told the Eu-
ropean Powers that, instead of making
claims against him he is entitled to in
IDENTITIES from them because Europ-
cans shot at and killed Turkish soldiers
from their houses. One thing / would
like to lay stress on, and that is that
our claims are different from the Eu-
ropean demands. The Europeans Suf-
fered their damages in general mob
riot, but our claims for damages rest
upon a much stronger basis. The prop
erty of the Americans was destroyed,
not in a general riot, but by soldiers
who were put to guard that property,
and who were consequently the agents
of the Government. l placed that
view before the Sultan strongly, but
the answer he gave me was the same
as before, and he refused to make any
specific answer to the specific matters
which I laid before him. 1t seems to
me that an armed demonstration is the
only means where the Turkish Govern
ment can be made to make the restitu-
ton askd for"
What will be the outcome of The
Cretan troubles?" was asked.
"Ah, the Powers only wish you could
tell them," answered Minister Angel,
"but l notice that the Sultan is yielding
to their request. Whether Turkey will
lose Crete it is impossible to say now,
but if the Powers say she must, she
will have to relinquish it."
While he was in Turkey Mr.. Angel
frequently saw the Sultan Describing
him, he said: THE Sultan is a man Of
decided ability, possesses great shrewd-
ness and plays his policy we'll of pitting
the jealousy of one nation against an
other. Every one comedies that he is
an able man. He is the Governor Of
his people and the most absolute despot
in the world. 1t is he who rules, not
his Cabinet. Since the Greek war his
power over his subjects has increased
tremendously. He is considered by his
people to be the religious head of the
nation as we'll as the head of the army.
There will be no religious war in Tur-
key while the Powers are watching.
1.-The Sultan has too much cunning to
precipitate trouble. Turkey can be
scarcely called the sick man of Eu-
rope after the impetus given to the
country by the Greek war. 1t is now
HOSStsSto VI a powerful ARMY, Iully
100000 well-equipped men. They have
been drilled to modern tactics by Ger
man officers, and their weapons are of
the most improved and modern make
The Turkish navy can best be described
in a tub. The Sultan watched the war
between Spain and the United States
very closely, and the impression made
by our navy won his respect and admit
ration. He often spoke to me about our
cannon and ships, and he may in the
near future order some ships built here
l told him that the cannon and ships
were all right, but he would have 10
look to the men behind the guns
"Supposing that 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 epigram-
attic answer.