Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-04-19
THE TROUBLE WITH TURKEY.

~ !
Foreign Diplomats Watching tho
Outcome of Our misrepresentation.
Washington, April 19.-The news of
the firm attitude assumed by the state
department toward the Turkish gov
eminent in the prosecution of its claim
for damages to American missionary
property caused something of a sensa-
i5tion diplomatic circles. Based upon
their own experience with the Turkish
government in their efforts to collect.
Isclaims, the members of the diplomatic
body here who have watched the prog
l:ress of the negotiations between the
United States and Turkey for the past
I five years. have come to look With
amusement upon the alternating
I phases of hope and Encouragement by
which they have been characterized.
4 Three successive American ministers
4 have prosecuted these claims, each re-
/ ceiyed a promise of prompt settlement,
4 and yet not a dollar has been paid.
President Angel, after trying his hand
lat the collection for Two years, recon-
Jsmended that a United States warship
4 be sent to seize Smyrna. This sugges-
4 ton was not seriously entertained, nor
lis 1t now. In the first place. according
4 70 the state department officials, the
most important business interests in
4 Smyrna are in the hands of foreigners,
land bonlbardment by United States
Effect might result in a pretty bill for
damages against the United States.
i Then there is still the remnant of the
Turkish navy, and the United States
would have to- send a squadron instead
of a single warship. Such a movement
would without doubt be resented by
the remainder of Europe, which could
/ not contemplate With equanimity ac-
4 ton by the United States that would
perhaps destroy the fruits of many
i Years Of work of the greatest European
statesmen by precipitating final crisis
lin Turkey Therefore the next step to
4 be taken by our government will not be
4 warike, but Will still suggest in the
most dignified manner the Indignation
felt by the United States at the betsay-
lsal of the Turkish promises. How this
latitude will bear upon the Turkish
minister in Washington cannot now be
4 foretold. He is 50 far absolutely un-
igentangled in the negotiations of these
claims. but that fact might not save
i him from being made the immediate
4 victim of his countryts laches 1t is
Earnestly hoped that by prompt action
ron its part the Turkish government
Imay avert iii consequences to it's own
Representative here. #
New York. April 19.-The Trihunes
washington special says: The United
1 States charge d'affaires at Constanti-
5Enople Will be directed to inform the
4 sultan that this government must In
Il sist on the payment without further
Il delay of sl0oo00 indemnity for outrages
Ion American missionaries and destruc-
4 ton of their property, unless prompt
4 faction on the sultan's part anticipates
IAN ultitnatum and the debt is dis
sieharged before resort is made to dras-
FEtic measures. Several courses have
4 beer urged ON the president for the
d3coilection of the 100000 indemnity
\ which is admitted BY the sultan to be
2lduesto the American missionaries Con-
4 isideration has been given 10 a propo-
slssition To seize the port of Smyrna and
4 administer its customs revenues until
4 the judgment and expenses of collec-
Il ton are cancelled. This of course has
not been wholly abandoned in the re-
4 mote contingency that satisfaction is
j Indefinitely delayed. 1t involves seri-
seus complications IN the Mediterra-
snean, for which the United States is
y extremely reluctant 10 assume respon-
sibility for the recovery of SO small ar
4 amount at the present Time. 1t nigh;
n precipitate war thru Turkey sending
n some Of its Anticipated warships u
d Smyrna to resist the temporary
Il American occupation. In that even,
1.-The necessity OF sending a large fleet Il
1.-The Mediterranean would create alarm
among the powers and disturb the deli.
kcate equilibrium now existing in Eu
rope. Under the circumstances it i.
Undermined that the diplomatic re.
sources Will be first exhausted. with
lcnnfidence that the sultan will bt
brought to understand that his prom
a sses can not be lightly broken. TIL,
i5prored claims against Turkey includ,
about 100000 for the destruction o
property alone. To these, which ad
. mitted of practically no dispute, Their.
!. Twas added the Lentz claim OF $4,000
. which was presented by Secretary OIL
5ney.
Philippine Customs Receipts.
: Washington. April ia ccording Il
s a statement made yesterday by tn,
8 division of customs and insular af
,ffairs of the war department, the re
Eceipts in the Philippine islands for tn,
months of January, February ant
D. March 1Q0n ,rera. Inri,orx, ego snn