The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-04-18

tdent regarding the services OF Mr..
straus as Indispensable, indefinitely ex-
tended his leave, subject to the call of the
secretary of state whenever circum-
stances may necessitate his return.
Diplomacy appears to have exhausted
itself at Constantinople, the sultan having
promised to pay the indemnity claims,
amounting to some $4,000, which promise
was again renewed prior to Mr.. Straus'
departure, and, although sixteen months
has elapsed since the promise was first
made, that promise still remains unful-
filled. What action the government will
now take to enforce the sultan's promise
is not definitely known, but as the situa-
tion is critical it may result in Secretary
Hay sending the Turkish minister at
Washington his passports
BROKEN FAITH.
The question involved between the two
countries is no longer resting upon dis
puted points of international law, but
upon the sultan's broken faith This is
not his only promise, he having stated to
our minister that he would give his per-
NIT for the reconstruction of the Ameri.
can college and school buildings, which,
up to the present time, upon
When DR.. Angel retired in 1893. the re-
lations between the two countries were
critical by reason of the inaction Of tho
Turkish government and its refusal TO
entertain the Indemnity claims.
Mr.. Straus, by reason of his successful
previous mission and his past experience,
was summoned by the president to take
up the mission, as best qualified to adjust
the pending questions in a manner salts
factory to both countries. Shortly after
his arrival at Constantinople, in Septem-
Der, 1888, several matters yielded to ne
gobiation. He then addressed himself to
the main question of the indemnity for
the mission buildings destroyed and the
permit for their rebuilding.
TURKEY DEMURS.
The Turkish government shortly before
the departure of Dr. Angel sent reply
denying responsibility for the burning of
the mission buildings and property
destroyed Similar reply was sent to the
ministers of England, France and Italy,
having like claims. Mr.. Straus took UP
the question anew, baSing his argument
upon the well recognized principles of In
ternational law, with the result that at
an audience with the sultan on Dec. 8,
1898, the sultan promised to pay the
claims. The claims were examined with
great care and scrutiny based upon the
principle of indemnity for the actual
value Of the property DESTROYED. The
sultan also stated that he would give per-
mission for the reconstruction of the
destroyed buildings. Neither of these
promises has been kept.
SITUATION DEFINED
The situation is practically this: Our
minister has succeeded in obtaining judg-
ment by confession upon the claims,
which confession was made by the sultan
himself, but the execution remains un>
satisfied. Diplomacy has exhausted Itself
and Mr. Straus las, under the guidance
of Secretary Hay, done everything
diplomacy could accomplish to bring tho
sultans attention to the seriousness Of
the situation. Our minister as we'll as
our government hoped that the sultan's
promises, though delayed, would be ful-
filed.
During the continuation of Minister
Straus' leave of absence the legation Is
in charge Of Capt Lloyd C. Griscon.
secretary of legation, who IS fully con-
versant with the business