St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1900-04-25
TURKISH INDEMNITY CASE.

Washington, April 24-The Turkisl
minister, Ali Ferrouh Bey, called upon
Acting Secretary Hill at the state de-
partment, and learned, it is stated, that
our government was in earnest respect
ing the collection of the 900 indem-
nifty promised Minister Straus by the
his government that it is advisable 20
pay the indemnity, if practicable. Upon
this understanding the state department
Will delay in sending a formal ultimatum
to the Turkish government, in the hope
that Turkey will pay up, and thus render
it unnecessary.
Both the state department and the war
department deny the report that our gov
eminent agreed with the Sultan of Tur-
key, that, in consideration of his good
offices, exerted to secure the amicable
acceptance of our sovereignty by the
Sultan of Sulu, he would not be pressed
for the payment of the missionary in
demnity. The fact that no such under
standing existed is shown by Minister
Straus' statement that he pressed the
claim upon the sultan continuously, and
that the sultan three times promised to
pay it, the third time shortly before
Mr.. Straus left Constantinople.
The intimations in the foreign press
that there will be no European interfer-
ence with the United States in any
measure we may take to collect the in
demnity are very encouraging to the |
state department, and will, it is thought,
have an equally great effect upon Tur-
key, which will hasten the settlement.
The announcement that friction has |
arisen with the Turkish government on
account of the unpaid claims for the de-
struction of the American missionary |
buildings at Harpoot and Marash during |
the Armenian massacres of 1895 is not a
surprise to those familiar with the mo-
tives which led Minister Straus to re-
turn to this country. Mr.. Straus has
been reticent about his mission, but the
state department, after hearing his ex-
PLANTATION of the situation, felt that the |
time had come for action.
Mr.. Stratus won an important diplo-
matte triumph soon after reaching Con-
stantinople in obtaining an admission
from the Turkish government that they |
were liable for the injury to American |
property in Armenia. Their previous !
position was denial of all liability. 1t |
only remained to obtain the payment of |
hoh
This is the most difficult |
feature of claim against such a govern
ment as that of Turkey.
1t is significant of the ramifications of
American interests under present condi-
tons that actual trouble with Turkey
might cause uneasiness in the Sulu ISL
ands. Minister Straus rendered clever
service to the government whS& the ques-
ton first arose of dealing with the Sui
tan of Sulu. The Sultan of Turkey is
the head of the Mohammedan church.
1t was in this capacity that he was an
preached by Minister Straus and led
him to use his good offices in the Sulu
Islands. The result was an Arrangement
with the sultan which has kept those ISL
ands peaceful and obedient while insur
rection and bloodshed have reigned in
he northern islands, where the Mo-
lammedan church is not paramount.
1t is not probable that the United States
will go to war with Turkey in any serious
manner, but if it should happen strong
5arrisons might be required in the SUN
Stands, owing to the sympathy which
he natives would feel for the parent
church at Constantinople. The sultan
night also renounce certain treaties be-
,ween the United States and the Otto
nan empire. One of these, concluded
shortly after Commodore Decatur pun
shed the Tripoli pirates, guarantees that
any American accused of a crime or mis-
lemeanor within the Turkish empire
shall be tried only by United States
court and be punished only ac-
2ording to American laws. This is a
not granted to the subjects of
my other power, and its advantages are
If peculiar Importance to the mission
aries of Turkey.