The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-20
ALI FERROUHS DENIAL
The Minister Says Turkey Made No
Promise 10 Pay Claims.
The American Mission mt Hnrput.
He Declares. Was Destroyed Dur
ing n Rebellion and His Govern
nent Cannot lie Held RespOnsibIc
Statement of Minister Stratus.

Ali Ferrouh Bey. the Turkish Minister
tan has ever promised to pay the $4,000
indemnity demanded by the United States
Government He stated yesterday to a
Times reporter that no responsibility could
be thrust upon the Sublime Porte for the
destruction of the American mission at
Harput four or five years ago because
the damage was done, he claims, during
the progress of a rebellion.
The statement was made just after the
Minister'S return from call on Assistant
Secretary Hill at the State Department.
THE Sultan has never promised TO pay
the $780, 600 indemnity demanded by the
American Government" said the Turkish
Minister. The Sultan is man of his
word. Had he promised to make such a
payment, he would have kept his word.
The Porte cannot be held responsible for
the destruction of the mission. 1t was de-
Stroyed during the course of a rebellion
and the Turkish Government cannot be
held to account for occurrences during
such a time"
Was not the destruction of the mission
lue NOIh Vi lu5DiEtu ny re-
ligious hatred?" the Minister was asked.
Certainly not" he replied 1T was
done by the rebels who passed through
the streets, shooting and fighting. During
the course of the trouble the mssioa was
destroyed. 1t was not the work of fanat-
les, as is proven by the fact that not a
Christian was killed. Would not fanati-
cism have resulted in an attack on the
missionaries?
What about the probable seizure of the
port of Smyrna by the Americans in order
to collect the claim?' he was asked.
mo such contingency has arisen. l can
not discuss the matter" replied the Min
lister, automatically. Il trust that there
will be nothing serious as an outgrowth Of
the trouble. The amount involved is en-
tirely too small TO cause ruptur->. and
there is no doubt that it will be settled tC
the satisfaction of both Governments. The
amount is not quite 100000, which, as yor
see, is too small to cause any serious COM
plications. | know nothing officially about
the matter. The negotiations have been
conducted through the American Legation
at Constantinople.
The claim of the Turkish Minister thai
the Porte never promised to make the pay
ment is controverted by statement o.
Minister Straus.
IN the course OF an interview on the SUD
ject in New York yesterday, Mr.. Strau!
said:
The matter is in the hands o.
the State Department. and all infor-
Smation as to the measures to be adopted
TO force the Sultan to keep his prom
Use to pay this 100000 claim must com,
from Washington. The situation is, in
deed a delicate one. and | regard it as
grave. unless the Sultan promptly fulflli
his promises. Three times he has definite
ly stated his intention of paying the in
demnity. He promised In December, 1898
shortly after my arrival in Constantirople
| again in June of 1899. and third time
/ shortly before l left"
Shall you remain in the United State
! until this matter is settled or is there :
/ possibility that you may return as a me
| diator, in case the Sultan continues hi
| delay2" was asked.
That depends on the action of tn,
| State Department. said Mir. Straus. "a
! should be very glad to be relieved of my
| mission to Turkey, but l am a true anc
| loyal son. nevertheless, and must obey
! the orders Of my Government. | conducted
! the negotiations through all the stages O
| diplomacy and did my best to avoid fric.
| ton, but l assured the Sultan however
| that our Government expected hin
| promptly to fulfill his promises. The claim.
were carefully investigated by the Minis
| ter of Foreign Affairs and by the Council
/ of Ministers, and the latter body reported
to the Sultan, recommending payment
| Impressed upon him that good faith as
! well as harmonious relations demanded
| the payment"