The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-04-21
HAY IS MOVING CAUTIOUSLY.
HE WILL FIRST try DIPLOMACY
WITH THE SULTAN.

State Department Satisfied with the
Accuracy of Minister Straus' State
ments-IncOnceivabl That Three
United States Ministers should BE
similarly observation-disclosures Would
Be Glad to See Us POunce on Tur-
<ey-What the Turkish Minister
Says.
Washington, April z0-Secretary Hay re-
turned to Washington to-day from New
York.
1t is apparent that. though determined
upon positive action in the collection of its
just claims against the Turkish govern
ment, the state department is proceeding
decorously and with due precautions
against being led into the assumption of
any position which 1t cannot maintain.
1t may be stated by authority that the
state department is entirely satisfied Of
the accuracy of Minister Straus' state
ment relative to the promises made to
him by the Porte, Notwithstanding the at
tempted explanations and efforts to be-
cloud the issue by declaration that the
Sultans promises were conditional.
The minister's dispatches, sent while he
was in Constantinople, are couched in ex-
act terms; his written statements are
fully confirmed by his oral explanations
to the department upon his return to the
United States; and moreover, the pledges
he secured were similar to those made to
the two preceding United States ministers
to Turkey. In the opinion of the state
department officials, it is inconceivable
that three United States ministers should
be successively deceived in the terms of a
promise, or should have reached similar
misunderstanding
How Europe Feels About 1t.
The approval which the state depart
ment's latest action seems to have re-
ceived in Europe was anticipated, 1t be-
ing realized here that several of the con-
tinental powers having similar claims to
our own against Turkey, being them
selves prevented from initiating any forci-
BILE demand upon the Turkish government
by reason of the jealousy of their neigh
bors are entirely willing that the United
States government shall act as pioneer
IN this matter, and clear the way for
prosecution of their own just claims
1t also is believed here that the Euro
pean Powers are hopeful that the attitude
assumed by the United States in the pres
ent instance may indirectly serve TO deter
Tie hlSU government ITbIn the DTUlNO Seu
arbitrary increase of per cent. in custom
dues which it seems inclined to make in
defiance of the joint protest of the Euro
pean Powers. 1t appears that our gov
ernment is lending it's moral support to
this protest, for, while not joining with
the others, in the combined note. our
charge, Mr. Griscom, has been Instructed
to make representations on our account in
opposition to the increase of duties.
Says 1t Can BE Arranged.
Ali Ferrouh Bey, the Turkish minister
said to-day that he probably would hear
from his government in a short time con-
corning the American claims. He insists
that an amicable settlement can be ar
ranged, and repeats his statement already
published, that, in view of the high esteem
in which ne was held by the Sultan, and
the fact of his acting in a diplomatic ca
pacty, Minister Straus was not justified
in making the assertion that the Sultan
had broken his promise in regard to the
settlement of the claims.