The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-04-24
A NOTE FROM TURKEY,
Very Indefinite and II Is Not al All Salts
factory.
THE SULTAN is A SMOOTH DIplOaATIST
Has punched the American Claims
with Those of Europe. which lie
Has No Intention of Paying.

Washington, April 23.-The state de-
department has received, through Lloyd
Griscom, the United states charge at con-
stantinople, the reply OF the Turkish gov
ernment 20 the latest representations oil
the United States touching the American
missionary claims The communication
was taken to the White House by Secre-
tary Hay and presumably was considered
by the cabinet at the special meeting to-
day. Mr.. Straus, minister to Turkey,
who had come over from New York for
the purpose of comforting with the de-
partment affecting these claims, called
at the state department and talked over
the late Turkish note with Secretary Hay
before the cabinet meeting. The DEPART
ment made no particular statement touch
ing the Turkish note beyond the mere an
nouncement that IL was inconclusiye and
left the subject still open for discussion.
1t was gathered that the very brief out
line of the Turkish response cabed from
Constantinope to the effect that the Amer
lean claimants must take their position
along with those other Nations, does not
convey accurately the tenor OF the whole
note, though it is admitted that 1t does
set out properly one portion OF 1t. The
opinion prevails In the diplomatic circle
here that assuming the Turkish govern
ment has insisted on including the Amerl-
can claims with the others, 1t has played
a diplomatic card OF some strength. Such
an answer to tSe American demand might
be well calculated to deprive the United
States of the sympathy OF the European
powers, as 1t places us In a position of
seeking to eXtort better terms from the
Turks than are TO be accorded to the
claimants OF other Nations, or at least at
tempting to secure precedence over them,
which amounts to the same thing. A rea-
son which leads to re belief that there
must be some qualification attached to
the reported answer of the Turkish gov
ernment Is the fact that It would amount
to total reputation OF the promises all
legged by Mr.. Straus to have been made
to him by the porte, while the proposition
10 American claimants to throw in their
claims with those of other Nations, IS
equivalent TO declination to pay, mas
much as the Turkish government has not
for many years paid any OF these foreign
claims so far rs is known here. 1t Is
possible that the porte has it in mind to
create commission for the settlement of
all these claims and Is seeking to prepare
the United States government for a sub
mission of its claims to such an inter-
national tribunal. The state department.
however, is determined not to abandon the
preferential position respecting its claims
that it has secured through the sultan's
own promise; 50 1t Is anticipated that an
energetic response to this last note VIII
be sent to the porte through Mr. Griscf M
AS for Mr.. Straus, while he is giving
the state department the benefit of his ex-
perience In conducting the negotiations
1t Is impossible that he will ever appear
again officially in the negotiations, for
after the tension that has been imposed
upon the relations between the United
states and Turkey as a result OF the min
ister's recital OF what passed between
himself and the porte. 1t is scarcely ex-
pected that he will return to Constanti-
nope.
Constantinople. April 2s-An imperial
trade has been promulgated authorizing
the rebuilding of the property OF the
American missionaries at Kharput and
the construction OF an annex to The Rob
ert's college at Constantinop1e.
Washington. April 2S.--The state DEPART
ment had no official confirmation tonight
OF the Associated Press dispatch from
Constantinople announcing the sultan's
trade concerning the rebuilding of The
american missionary property at Kharput.
inc news was received with considerable
satisfaction. however. being considered as
friendly act on the part of the sultan
ana proDably an earnest OF full and final
settlement of the Indemnity claim.