The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-08
NO ANSWER FROM TURKEY.
MIR. Griscom silent Since the Last
Note Was Delivered.

Nott " ~
No word has come TO the state Depart
ment from Mr.. Griscom. the United States
Charge d'Afaires at CoustauunopIe, since
he presented the last demand Of his Gov
eminent for the payment OF the Armenian
indemnity. except that an trade permit
ting the reconstruction Of the destroyed
American college at Harput has been is
sued. 1t is confidently expected that Tu;-
key will answer the note soon. There is
no feeling here that the Porte will ignore
it. The State Department denies a report
that the negotiations have been transferred
from Constantinople to Washington.
American interests in Turkey may be
turned over to the care Of the German
Government if the not-improbabIe break
in the relations OF this country and the
Porte occurs. While it cannot be said
that the State Department has made a
decision on this subject, and it would not
admit the fact officially if it had. it was
learned yesterday that consideration has
been given to the question Of the probable
effect on American missionary interests in
the Sultan's possessions Of a withdrawal
Vi our ulplbuldllt representative d ttu
stantiRople.
The Government is making every pre-
paration to meet this contingency, which
may be the next step of the United States
in the current negotiations. and TO that
end il has consulted men Of prominence
who are familiar with conditions in Eu-
rOpean and Asiatic Turkey. The fullest
consideration has been given by the Gov
eminent to the contention that A sever
ance Of diplomatic relations would leave
the American missionaries in a position OF
helplessness that might result in massa-
ere. This view has been urged on the
State Department by clergymen in the
United States who have resided in Turkey,
Consultation with oth.H men equally ia
millar with the matter has developed a
decided difference Of opinion from the as
sertions Of those first mentioned
These others have assured the State
Department that with the care of Ameri-
can interests entrusted to some strong
European power. the missionaries from the
United States and their property would
be safer than they are now with an Ameri-
can mission at Constantinople. This view
apparently meets with the approval Of the
Department, whose attitude in the matter
removes the chance that the intention to
sever diplomatic relations would not be
carried into effect in the event OF failure
to secure a satisfactory adjustment Of the
American indemnity claim, on account of
the fear that the missionaries from the
United States would suffer.
The choice Of a representative OF
American interests lies between Great
Britain and Germany. with the chance
decidedly inclined toward the selection
of the latter. There are several reasons
why the selection OF Germany would be OF
advantage. 1t would not only serve to
bring the two Governments into friend
lier relations and perhaps put a stop to
the talk of friction between them. but on
account of Germanys influence in Turkish
affairs. would give the strongest protec-
ton possible to missionary concerns. Ger
many is exceedingly strong at Constan-
tinople, more SO. it is said. than Great
Britain. The Sultan. either through fear
or friendship. is more than willing to
oblige Germany. With American inter
ests in German hands any indignity to
them would be offensive to Germany and
the Porte would have to reckon with the
Berlin Government, a thing he is very
anxious to avoid.
A nation entrusted with the care Of a
foreign country takes a pride in maintain
ing the dignity OF the Government it rep
reseuts equal to its insistence on the re-
cognition OF its own rights by the foreign
country. For these reasons the selection
Of Germany to represent the United
States at Constantinople and throughout
the Sultan's possessions should a break
come may be expected.