The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-20
ALI FERROUH'S DENIAL
The Minister Says Turkey Made No
Promise TO Pay Claims.
The American Mission at Hnrput,
He Declares, Was Destroyed Dur
ing IA Rebellion and His Govern
ment Cannot he Held ResponsibIe
Statement of Minister Straus.

Ali Ferrouh Bey. the Turkish Minister
to the United States, denies that the Sui
tan has ever promised to pay the 100000
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 500. 600 indemnity demanded by the
American Government" said the Turkish
Minister. The Sultan is a man of his
word. Had he promised to make such
payment, he would have kept his word
The Porte cannot be held responsible for
the destruction Of the mission II 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
the work OF MOhammedans inspired by 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 mission was
destroyed 1t was not the work of fauat-
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
No such contingency has arisen. I 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 a ruptur-,. and
there is no doubt that it will be settled to
the satisfaction of both Governments. The
amount is not quite S1C0, Geo. which, as you
see, is too small to cause any serious com
plications. l know nothing officially about
the matter. The negotiations have been
conducted through the American Legation
at ConstaEtinople.
The claim of the Turkish Minister that
the Porte never promised to make the pay
ment is contr0verted by a statement of
In the course Of an interview on the sub
iect in New York Yesterday, Mr.. Straus
said
The matter is in the hands Of
the State Department, and all iufOr-
mation as to the measures to be adopted
to force the Sultan to keep his prom
Use to pay this 500, 900 claim must come
from Washington. The situation is, in
deed a delicate one. and l regard it as
grave. unless the Sultan promptly fulfls
his promise. Three times he has definite
ly stated his intention of paying the in
demnity. He promised In December. 1898.
shortly after my arrival in ConstantiEople;
again in June Of 1899 and a third time.
shortly before l left"
Shall you remain in the United States
until this matter is settled or is there a
possibility that you may return as a me-
diator, in case the Sultan continues his
delay?" was asked.
That depends on the action OF the
State Department" said Mr.. Straus Il
should be very glad to be relieved Of my
mission to Turkey, but l am a true and
loyal son. nevertheless. and must obey
the orders OF my Government. / conducted
the negotiations through all the stages of
diplomacy and did my best to avoid fric-
ton, but I assured the Sultan, however
that our Government expected him
promptly TO fulfill his promises The claims
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 I
impressed upon him that good faith as
well as harmonious relations demanded
the payment"