The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-05-02
TO FORCETURKEY TO PAY.
4 Severance of Diplomatic Relations
Possible Now.
The Sultan Admits just Claim Of the
United States, But Puts Of the Pay
ment without Good Excuse.

WASHINGTON, D. G. (SpeciaD.-The most
serious international question that con-
fronts the Government relates to the in
iemnity which Turkey was asked to pay
for outrages committed. against American
missionaries AID colleges in Armenia sew
srai years ago. The negotiations have now
reached a point where the Government
has under consideration the adop-
tion OF one OF several radical courses.
The Government has been inclined to go
slowly in determining what shall be done,
out the attitude OF Turkey is such that pa.
:Ience has ceased to be u virtue. Nearly
syery honorable diplomatic resource to
bring Turkey 20 sense OF her obligations:
% the United States has been tried without
success. -;
What action the Government now will
Jake to enforce the Sultan's promise Is not
definitely known, but as the situation ts
,ritioal, It may result In Secretary Hay
sending to the Turkish Minister In Wash
ngton Ills passport. y;
The question involved between the two
countries is no longer one resting upon
disputed points Of international lRWt but
apon the Sultan's broken faith. This is
not his only broken promise, he ahaVtng
said that he would give his permit for the
reconstruction OF the American college
and school buildings, yet up to the pres
ant the official permit, upon one excuse
and another, has been withheld. -;
When Dr. Angel resigned as Minister IN
1893 the relations between the two coun-
tries we're critical by reason OF the tnac-
tiou OF the Turkish Government and Its re-
fusal to entertain the indemnity claims.
The TurkISh 'Government, shortly before
the departure Of Dr.. ANGEL, sent reply
denying all liability for the buildings and
property destroyed. similar reply was
sent to the Ambassadors Of England, France
and Italy, having like claims.
Later, when the subject was pressed. the
Sultan, on December 18, 1898, finally
promised to pay the claims. The claims
we're examined with great care and
scrutiny, based upon the principle OF In
demnlty for the actual value OF the prop
erty DESTROYED. The Sultan also said at
the same time that he had given permis.
sion for the Reconstruction OF the destroyed
buildings.
The situation Is practically this: The
State Department has succeeded IN OBTAIN
Ing judgment by confession upon enc
claims, which confession was made by the
Sultan himself, but the execution remains
unsattsaed. Diplomacy has exhausted IT.
self.
The breaking off OF diplomatic relations
would have only moral effect, as the com.
merclal relations between Turkey and the
United States are not very extensive. 1t Is
believed by officials that Turkey would be
willing to come to terms II she realized that
failure to do so would cause this Govern.
ment to take suchA step. The withdrawal
of the American representative at Constan-
tinople and the dismissal OF the Turkish
Minister here would be m announcement
to the world that the Sultan was dishon7
est creditor, who, after acknowledging his
liability, declined to pay his obligation.