The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-12-29
MUST SHOW HIS GUNS
0r Uncle Sam viii Never
Collect Debts of Turkey.
ABDUL HANDS, CEMETERY
Cases of Brigandage in the
SuItan'S DominiOns.

Boston. Dec. pa gentleman who is
well acquainted with affairs in Turkey
says that there is no prospect that the
| United States will recover from the Turk
! ish government the indemnity it has de-
manded for the destruction of mission pro-
perty Of the American Board, until a show
! Of force is made in Turkish waters. The
/ Turkish government is one which never
acts in such a matter until it is forced TO.
He says that it VIII probably not be ne
/ cessary for our administration to go TO the
extent Of actually bombarding a Turkish
| port-Smyrna being the one most frequent
/ ly mentioned in that connecton-but it will
/ be necessary to send warships there, ready
to lombard if the payment is not made
Minister Struss; It was recognized by Min
ster Angel and by Minister Terrell before
| him. The end of the incident will not
be reached until we are ready to take this
step.
Speaking Of the relations of the depart
ments Of the Turkish government with
each other the speaker said that the Porte,
meaning the heads of the departments,
is always in antagonism to the Sultan.
This is the chronic condition in Turkey.
The Grand Vizier, who is more like our
Secretary of State than any other officitl,
is practically q prisoner all the time. He
cannot control his own movements. He
is always under the orders of the Sultan.
He cannot go anywhere without giving an
account of himself. He is under suspicion
al the time. This caution on the part Of
the Sultan IS because he wishes to pre-
vent any plots against mis- life.
The time fthe Turkish administration
is occupied with petty details. A magic
lantern exhibition could not be given until
the matter had been referred to the CEN
trail government.
The condition of politics and society in
Turkey today is represented as terrible.
The Sultan follows the policy Of putting
out of the way prominent and active men
who are likely to make trouble for him.
1t is the truth that since the Armenian
massecres no fewer than some 4,C0 active
men have disappeared mysteriously from
Constantinople. They are put out of the
way. no one knows how It is possible
that they have been sent to the mines in
the interior, but it is also possible-and this
is believed to be their fate as probably as
anything-that they are sent out by night
in a steamer upon the Bosphorus and
thrown overheard in sacks. It was not
long ago that there appeared in one Of the
newspapers a few lines OF caution TO Mos
lens ODE on their guard for the defence
of their liberties. The Sultan thought that
the warning came from a certain club Of
young Turks who were understood to be
particularly interested in the government
At any rate, in one night, directly after
that, $40 Of the members of that club dis
appeared, and it has been utterly impos-
sible 10 find any trace of them since That
is the way the Sultan keeps the upper
hand and prevents the formation of po-
litical plots against him.
A daring case of brigandage recently oc-
CURED at SMYRNA, in which the victim
was the son of Mr.. whittan, one of the
richest and leading British merchants of
that town. Young Mr.. whittaIl was driv-
ing with three ladies from SMYRNA to
Burnabat, one Of the suburbs, when the
carriage was stopped by six men, four OF
whom seemed to be Bulgarians or Greeks
from Bulgaria and two native Arnaouts.
Leaving the ladies to report the occur
renee, the brigands carried off their victim
in evening dress, sending word by his
companions that they demanded fifteen
hundred pounds. Mr.. Whittall immediate
ly on receiving the news, started in pur-
suit, taking with him the sum required
in gold. being in great anxiety on account
Of the inclemency of the weather and the
scanty clothing in which his son was
clad. His fears were the more justified,
as it is not very long since another of
his sons was similarly abducted, and, I
believe, ultimately died from the effects
Of the exposure. After three days hard
travelling the hrigands were found. and
the ransom paid, the men eScorting the
two Whittalls on part of their homewarCt
journey. and finally parting with them
with many kisses and protestations Of
gratitude. Mr.. WhittaH is now opplying
TO the British embassy to know II the
British or Turkish government viii re-
fund him the moneys paid.
It is not long since another case occurred
close 10 Constantinople, at a small town
named Kouri Yalova where there is
sanitary establishment kept by Nine.
Bronco, midwife to the palace. one after
Ap't SAt WIS ouL DRIVING Win TWO or
her guests, an old lady and her young
daughter. when they were seized The
coachman foolshly remarked. BE careful
she Is the midwife to the Sultans harem."
Seeing at once that they had a rich prize.
the band. numbering twelve or thirteen
took Nine Bronco and the young lady.
and told her mother that they wanted ten
thousand pounds, They also treasured
the old lady. saving that she need have
no fears for her daughter. an exceedingly
pretty girl. who should be returned safe
and well. The money was quickly paid
and the ladies. who had really been very
well treated. were released. tn captain IF
the band making each OF them a present
of one hundred pounds OF parting. The
government then commenced a ruthless
hunt after the men. securing the whole
countryside with zapuehs who were quar-
tered on all the villages, 50 thar shs VII