Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-04-19
To Be Returned If Turkey
Declines To Pay.
MINISTER IS CONFIDENT
Not Afraid of Rupture-WM NottPro-
woke war-sending Of a FieeX1m-
probable-The Bonds Are Held
Too Sacred. 'n :

New York, April ia Herald special
from Washington says: Ali Ferrouh .Bey
the Turkish minister to the United States
will call at h state department to ascer'
tain what foundation there is In the re-
ports that America is preparing to, hanc
him his passports in the event tthat the
sublime porte declines to a the mis-
sionary claims. -,
Similar queries will be made by REPRE-
sentatives of European governments In
Washington. The state department Is
maintaining a discreet silence, although
it is known that when Secretary Hay re-
turns from New York he will sign a per-
emptory note to the sublime porte de-
handing prompt action upon the Ameri-
can claims. Ali Ferrouh Bey in discuss
ing the matter today declared that u
key is not responsible for the claims as 1t
! had given adequate protection to foreign
ers residing within it's boundaries during
| the revolution of some years ago
II can hardly believe" he said, that
any foundation exists for the reports that
there is grave danger of a rupture in the
diplomatic relations between the United
States and the sublime porte on account
of the latter's failure to a claims aris-
ing out of alleged outrages suffered by
American missionaries in Turkey. The
relations between the two governments
nave always been of a friendly character
and are too sacred to be so lightly brOk-
en- off. The claims amount in all to $50. 900
a paltry sum-. I think, upon which to base
such a regrettable and injurious act.
While I have not conducted neentfa-
tons on the subject and am, therefore
not familiar with all the facts. I am sure
that had the sultan given his promise to
pay, an immediate settlement would have
been made.
My government is DESTROYS of fulfill
ing its just obligations and if the claims
of the missionaries can be established
they will undoubtedly be settled. a..
Il may d that my government is re-
sponsible in the eyes of International
laws for damages one the property of
foreigners during a revolution. At the
time of the revolt, however. the sublime
porte provided ample protection for
Americans and their interests. That is
all that could be expected of it. Not a
single foreigner was killed or injured.s
My relations with the state depart
n1ent are SO cordial that I can hardly be-
lieve there is any foundation for re-
port that a rupture is imminent and be-
sides the officials are too far seeing and
possess too much judgment to assume the
responsibility of uch a grave policy.
Those close to the Turkish minister de-
clare that the United States would be, a
greater sufferer thar Turkey in the event
that diplomatic relations were suspended.
1t was pointed out that the importation
of American goods into Turkey is much
larger and more valuable than the impor-
tation of Turkish goods into the United
States. There are several hundred
American missionaries with their fam
lilies, besides other American citizens In
Turkey and they would be left without
the protection of the United States and
would have to depend upon thai which
could be afforded by a neutral power.
So far as Turkey is concerned there are
comparatively few of her subject in the
United States and the minister does not
believe that they would be in any danger
even should his legation be withdrawn.