New-York tribune., 1900-04-21
THE SULTAN'S PROMISES.
MINISTER STRAUS SUSTAINED BY THE
STATE DEPARTMENT
NAVAL PROGRAMME IN CASE OF A RESORT
TO FORCE CONSIDERED.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.l

Washington April 20.-Secretary Hays re-
turn TO his desk at the Department of State to-
day was marked by a clearer statement re-
garding the Sultan's promises TO which the
United States proposes strictly TO hold him than
was hitherto possible. and the Turkish conten-
ton is thereby made ali the more contemptble
II appears that the Sultan. while free with oral
assurances TO Ministers Terrell. Angel and
straus has managed for five years TO evade
giving any written guarantee TO pay the in
tdemnity demanded by the United States for the
outrages on American missionaries. and that he
now hopes TO escape responsibility by raising
the question of veracity against three eminent
diplomatic representatives of this Government
his Court. Just how this subterfuge is re-
garded officially is shown by this authorized
declaration:
The State Department is entirely satisfied of
the accuracy of Minister Strauss statement rela-
tive TO the promises made to him by the Porte,
Notwithstanding attempted explanations and ef-
forts to becloud the issue by declarations that
the Sultan's promises were conditional. Mr.
Strauss dispatches. sent while he in Con-
stantinople couched in exact terms; his
written statements We're fully confirmed by his
oral explanations TO the Department upon his
return TO the United States and, moreover, the
pledges he secured similar TO those made
TO the two preceding United States Ministers to
Turkey. In the opinion OF the State Depart
ment officials il is inconceiVabe that three
United States Ministers should be successfully
have reached similar misunderstandings
TURKEY MAY BE HEARD FROM SOON.
Nothing was heard at the Department to-day
from Turkish official sources in relation the
attitude assumed by the United States in in
sisting the immediate payment of the in
demnity, but ALI Ferrouh Bey is expected TO
present some expression from his Government
in the course of a day two. and until he
has had opportunity obtain instructions
by cable further action the part of this
country is to be looked for. His dispatches yes
terday after visiting the State Department and
ascertaining the firm determination of the
President acquiesce in no further dilly- daily
ing relied upon produce something def
mite from the Sublime Porte. which. if unsatis-
factory, will be sharply followed by a peremp-
tory ultimatum, preliminary TO Withdrawing Mr..
Griscom the American Charge dAfaires from
Constantinople.
1t is learned to-day that all the contingencies
that might result from outright breach with
Turkey have been canvassed with a thorough
ness which of itself is sufficient proof of the de-
liberate earnestness Of the United States in
forcing the Sultan to settle without regard to
the extreme punishment that may have to be
inflicted upon the Ottoman Empire should he
prove pugnacous
For one thing, the missionary organizations
IN this country. whose interests may be further
jeopardized. have given assurances that they
are willing TO assume the risk of having their
property in Armenia destroyed by the Turks,
and that the workers there who dependent
en- American support do not shrink from the
possibility of a recurrence Of the atrocous mas
sacres which led to the present crisis
SMYRNA DIFFICULT TO SEIZE.
The naval programme in the event of a resort
60 force has also had careful consideration, and
II appears that Smyrna will be almost diff
cult TO seize Santiago. if the Turks have
time to prepare for resistance. The city has
comparatively small proportion of Turkish pop
ulation, its great storehouses and valuable
property belonging exclusively to foreigners.
chiefly English and German. On this account
general bombardment would be out of the ques-
tion and as siege without cooperating land
forces would be Intellectual serious problem
Is involved in the proposition to seize and ad-
administer its customs. Smyrna's enormous
trade being largely in foreign hands, a pro-
tracted blockade of the harbor would antagonize
European interests dangerous extent, and
the United States, without the approval OF the
Continental Powers, might be seriously en-
barrassed in the undertaking. English consent
and probably Englands cooperation could be
reasonably relied upon but in any case the
American naval forces assembled in the Medt-
erranean would have 10 be powerful enough to
force the Dardaneles IN the end. This course,
1t Is thought. would promptly involve all the
European Powers, not antagonists of the
United States, but eager participants in the
partition of the Turkish Empire.
Ali Ferrouh Bey, the Turkish Minister. said
to-day that he probably would hear from his
Government in a short time concerning the
American claims. He insists that amicable
settlement can be arranged and repeats his
statement that in view Of the high esteem in
which he held by the Sultan. and the fact
Of his acting in diplomatic capacity, Minister
Straus not justified in making the assertion
that the Sultan had broken his promise in
gard the settlement OF the claims.