The sun., 1900-04-18
TO FORCE TURKEY TO PAY.
THE UNITED STATES EXPECTED TO
ADOPT RADICAL COURSE.
Failure Of All Attempts Hitherto to Collect
the Indemnity for the Armenian Outrages
A Severance Of Diplomatic Relations


WASHINGTON April 1.-THE most serious
international question that confronts the Cow
errment relates 10 the indemnity which Tur.
key was asked to pay for outraRes committed
against American missionaries and colleges
In Armenia several years ago. The negotia-
tions have now reached q point where the Cow
eminent has under con sideration the adoption
OF one OF several radical courses. That the
matter will come 10 q head very soon was eyi-
dent from what was learned to-day.
The Government has been inclined to 20
slowly In determining what shall be done. but
the attitude of Turkey is such that patience
has ceased to be a virtue. Nearly every hon.
orable diplomatic resource to bring Turkey
TO q sense OF her obligations to the United
States has been tried without success.
The next step. according to the infor-
nation received by THE SUN reporter.
will probably not take the case out
OF the bounds OF diplomacy. but 1t will
be OF such a character that q refusal by
Turkey to come TO terms will compel the adop-
tion Of measures which will make the Sultan
and his advisers understand that the United
States will not endure any longer what
amounts to an Insult. There Is even reason
to believe that q note. threatening Turkey
with the severance Of diplomatic relations
with the United States II the indemnity Is not
paid. Is in course OF preparation.
The Washington dispatches to The Sun
have told from time to time OF the feeling
caused by Turkeys attitude. Every effort has
been made TO bring Turkey to sense OF her
obligations. Mr.. Terrell OF Texas. who was
Minister at Constantinople under President
Cleyelands second Adm nistration and during
whose term the Armenian outrageS occurred,
filed with the Sublime Porte the claim Of this
Government for damages. His efforts to COL
successor. Mr. Angel of Michigan. whose
brief stay at Constantinople was proftless.
Oscar straus OF New York, who was, sent az
succeeded In obtaining personally from the
sultan an admission Of Turkeys liability for
the destruction OF American property IN
asked This promise was not fuhled and Mr..
Straus renewed his efforts several times On
every occasion he was suavely informed that
Government was not willing to set any time
for the payment. Finally Mr.. Straus came
homo ostensiby on leave of absence,
the Secretary Of state personally
about Turkeys attitude aud the means
that should be taken TO secure the payment OF
Since the return Of Of Mr.. siraus to tot the United
States the Govern ment has been advised by
several OF the men Interested In the matter to
Minister Angel IL In favor OF sending an Ameri-
can feet TO smyrna to back up demand for
payment. Other men OF prominence have
force to SMYRNA to seize the custom house
there. and hold It until the amount Of indem-
pity has been collected in customs dues; Some
ernment to have the feet BON bard smyrna.
As the matter stands now the Government Ia
not inclined TO send fieet TO Turk sh waters
ka-I all Ia Hat In
fiict damage on Turkish subjects who are not
responsible for the shortcomings OF their SOW
ereicn and who would not De likely. to obtain
redress for their losses from him. AS to seiz-
ing the Custom House. several objections are
urged by officials. one OF these is that
such course might cause comrllca.
Govern ment has given consideration to this
matter. however. with particular reference to
overcoming anv objection that might be raised
by the Great Powers to the occupation OF Eu-
ropean territory by United States forces. The
course which the United States would pursue
IN the event of q, determination to seize the
>Smyrna Custom House would be to inform tho
Great Powers that this would be done and to
disclaim any Intention OF occupying smyrna
longer than the time necessary to collect the
amount OF the indemnity. On the same day
the demand would be made and would be
backed by the presence Of an American fleet
on the Turkish port. ~
breaking on ot Diplomatic relations, and i Is
be ieved that the President and the Secretary
OF state have practically determined TO INFORM
Turkey that such action will be taken II the in
damnity is not forthcoming within specified
time. which will be very brlef Such threat
would be carried into effect by the recall OF the
American Charge dAffaires Bt Con stant tinople.
Lloyd c. Griscom. and the handing OF his pass
ports to All Ferrouh Bey, the Turkish Minister
here. II L. extremely unlikely that Minister
Strauss will return to Constantlnople unless
The breaking OH of Diplomatic relations
would have only q moral effect. as the COM
mercial relations between Turkey and the
United States are rot very extensive. II is be-
lleved by officials that Turkey would be willing
to come to terms II she realized that failure TO
do 40 would cause this Government to take
such step. The withdrawal Of the American
representative at Consthntinople aud the dis
missal OF the Turkish Minister here would be
an announcement 70 the world that the sultan
was q dishonest creditor who. after acknowl-
edgng his liability. declined TO pay his obliga-
ton.
Some Developments In the m after may be ex-
pected very soon. Whatever Is done by the
United States Government will be done