The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-19

The determination of the State Depart
ment to inform the Turkish Government
that the Armenian indemnity must be
paid within a stated period or diplomatic
relations between the two countries will
be severed. has not been carried into ef-
feet but the American note may be de-
livered almost any day. 1t is admitted
mitted itself too far to recede from its
decision to adopt a radical course, and
there is no concealment of the fact that
the relations between the Sultan and the
United States are strained.
Ali Ferrouh Bey, the Turkish Minister
mere. Is expected at the State Department
today, and what he will learn during mis-
visit may serve to bring his Government
to sense of the seriousness with which
the situation is regarded by the United
States. There is evidently some suspic-
ion among diplomatists here that the
United States IS playing a game of bluff,
but this is vigorously resented by officials
in position to know just what the Gov
ernment intends to do. If Turkey shares
this suspicion she will find 1t unfounded
in very short time, the officials say.
Secretary Hay has been in New York for
the past two days. While the object OF
his visit there has not been disclosed, 1t is
supposed that he has been in consultation
with Oscar Straus. the United Stats Min
lister TO Turkey. who is home on leave CT
absence. Mr.. Straus recently presented his
resignation to the President, but Mr.. Nc
kinley persuaded him to withdraw it. ard
the State Department has extended in
definitely the period Of his leave. 1t sp-
pears to be settled, however. that Mr..
Straus will not return to Constantinople
until the indemnity incident has been set
tied to the satisfaction of his Government.
He does not want to return in any event,
on account of business interests in this
country, and will not consent to go back to
his post until Turkey has redeemed the
promise to pay given to Mr. Straus by tie
Sultan. 1t was reported yesterday that
the Administration desires Mr.. Straus to
return to Turkey to make a final effort to
collect the indemnity, but this does net "a
cord with the statements obtained from
reliable sources that the next move of the
United States will be made quickly
European diplomatic representatives in
Washington are very much interested in
the purpose OF the United States to make
Turkey pay or break off diplomatic rela-
tions with that country. Turkey is heavily
indebted to nearly every European nation.
would probably have the effect of concerted
action by the great powers to compel the
Sultan to satisfy his obligations to them
For that reason the diplomatists in Wash
ington believe that the Sultan will not
comply with the American demand and
granting that the United States Govern
meut is serious in its understood intention
to break off diplomatic relations if the in
demnity is not forthcoming, they regard
such severance as inevitable.
he Sultan is expected to make another
profession of his Willingness to pay, but to
insist that his treasury is practically
empty pointing to the increase Of Turkish
customs dues as evidence that more money
to run the Government is needed. II what
was said yesterday by persons in a position
TO reflect the temper of the United States
be true, this Government will not tolerate
any such excuse.