New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-22
TURKEY A SIGH MAN NO MORE
DR. ANGEL RETURNS AND TALKS OF
THE PORTE.
THE EX MINIS ER THINKS ARMED DEMoNsTRA-
TION NECESSARY TO COLLECT DAMAGEs-THE
COUNTRY'S INCREASED STRENGTH

TON NECESSARY TO COLLECT DAMAGEs-ifb
CoUNTRY'S INCREASED STRENGTH.
President j. b. Angel. of the University OF
Michigan who for more than year has been
the United States Minister to Turkey. was
among the passengers on the Teutcnic. Mt
Angel. who has been succeeded in Turkey by
oscar Straus, resigned his position to renew his
administration OF the University of which ne is
the head. Mr. Angel unsuccessful In Sc
curing the payment of the American claims
upon the Turkish Government. but on the jour-
ney across tha Atlantic he was frequently IN
conference with Colonel Hay. and took advan-
tage undoubtedly of the opportunity 10 fully
inform the now Secretary Of State Of the
situation existing in Turkey. 1t is we'll known
that it is the desire OF the President that the
claims against the Porte shall he settled as
promptly MS possible. and the information which
Mr.. Angel will he able to impart 10 the Gov
ernment will be extremely valuable In the effort
70 compel the Sultan 10 make good the damages
inflicted upon Americans living in Turkey.
In the course OF a conversation with Trio-
une reporter. while the Teutonic was making
her way up the Bay last night, Mr. Angel
said:
There Is little new that | can say regarding
the situation in Turkey. Perfect tranquility
occurred in Armenia nor in the Balkans
is it true that the United States intends to
enforce the payment of it's claims by a demon
stration of force?" Mr. Angel was asked.
Il have not heard Of it, he replied we made
these claims as did the other Powers for dam
ages inflicted by the Turks upon our mission
aries The Sultan. however. refuses TO recognize
these claims and denies his responsibility upon
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 a demonstration. is a matter for the Govern
ment alone to decide. When moral pressure is
brought to bear upon him the Sultan declares
that the damages were the result of a mon ROT
and that. therefore. he is not responsible In
deed he has actually told the European Powers
that instead Of making claims against him he is
entitled to indemnities from them hecaus" Euro
peans shot at and killed Turkish soldiers from
their houses. one thing would like TO lay stress
| on and that is that claims are dinereh'
from the European demands. The Europeans
! suffered their losses in the course ot gehera'
riots by the mob. but our claims for damages
rest upon a much stronger basis. lhe property
| of the Americans was destroyed not IN general
| riot but by the soldiers who were put 10 gudro
| that property. and who were consequently the
| aeents Of the Government. / placed that view
| before the Sultan strongly. but the answer ne
save me was the same as before and he refused
! 10 make any specific answer to the specihc mat
ters which ! laid before him. IT seems TO mP
! that an armed denomination is the only means
whereby the Turkish Government can be maze
/ 10 make the restitution asked for.
What will be the outcome OF the Cre'an
troubles?'
"Ah. the Powers only wish you couid 'e'
Them" he replied, but observe that the Sui
tan is yielding to their request whether lur'
key will lose Crete not 1t is Impossible to say
row. but II the Powers say she must she will
have TO relnqush IT,"
While ne was in Turkey Mr.. Angel frequently
saw the sultan. Describing him, he said
The Sultan Is a man Of decided ability pos
I sesses great shrewdness and plays his policy
we'll Of pittnR the jealousy Of one nation against
| another Every one comedies that he is an able
man. He is the governor Of his people ana the
! most absolute despot in the world. IL Is
hc who rules. not his Cabinet since the
Greek his power over his subjects mas
! increased tremendously. He is considered py
| his people 10 be the religious mead II the ma
lion as we'll as the head Of the army The sol
! diers all Mahometans. and no one or any
/ other religion can enter the army ~ Turkey ex
cepting fore gn officers especially chosen by inc
/ Sultan who is called by the PEE pc since the
war with Greece Caliph. There VIII be no re-
/ ligious war In Turkey while the powers are
! watching. The Sultan has TOO much cunning &c
/ ureCjpiiate trouble Turkey can scarcely be
called The Sick Man of Europe" after the i'm
petus given 10 the country by the Greek war
II is now possessed of powerful army fuliy
three hundred thousand well-equipped men
/ They have been drilled to modern tactics By
! German officers. and their weapons are of tht
! most improved and modern make. The Tufklsr
Navy can best be- described as tub. Ihe Sul
tan watched the war between spain ana ;he
{ United States very closely. and the impression
/ made by our Navy won his respect ana admlfa
| ton He often spoke 10 me about our cannon
/ and ships and he may in the near future ord@I
! some ships built here | told him that the can
non and ships were all right pui u" W"uln nay N'
. 70 Iook tn the men behind the guns said thi:
I because [ know the Turkish Army although
! thoroughly drilled has but little firing pracuct
I because no money Is devoted 70 that purpose.
"Suppoeng that the claims against Turkey
/ should he pressed would it's Treasury be able
to meet them
/ well you see. a bankrupt has an advantage
/ He can pay nothing and owe the rest. was Mr.
! Angell's epigramnatic answer
! DOTJ FRS WERE SENT TO CHIChA UATGA