Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-19
London Papers Think Our Demands
Will Meet Compliance.
MUCH INTEREST IN TIE MATTER
Turkish Minister Here Confident of
AmicabIe Settlement.
CALLS AT STATE DEPARTMENT

LONDON, April 19.-Keen interest is mani
rested here in the threatened action of the
United States against Turkey, particularly
in view of the sultans recalcitrancy in con-
nection with the increase of the customs
duties. The fourth collective note of the en-
bassies objecting to an increase of 3 per
cent in the duties on account of the bad
condition of the Turkish finances, without
previous understanding with the powers
was handed to the Turkish government
yesterday, but Turkey maintains such
firm attitude that the suspicion is growing
that some covert intrigue is frustrating the
effect of the notes.
The st. James Gazette says: "It will be
interesting to watch the game of procrasti-
nation to which Europe is accustomed, be-
ing played with the United States. Ameri-
ca mas entered the European arena and ap-
parently has no intention of standing any
humbug from the Turks. Why should she?
The eastern question has no terrors for a
power with the whole ocean between her
se.f and the Balkans. The President thinks
the sultan has had grace enough. But If
America sets foot in Asia Minor perhaps
she will find that neither Russia nor Ger
many will be uninterested spectators. From
ourselves she will get nothing but sympathy
and good will
The Pail Mall Gazette says: Abdul and
the steam roller are quite used to lodging
body, but the brusque hurry of the Ameri-
can government must be rather disconcert-
ing. These Americans. SO far from playing
q game, are positively talking of Selling
Smyrna
The papers generally think Abdul Hamid
Will pay up.
Minixter at the State Department.
Among the callers upon Acting Secretary
Hill today was Ali Ferrouh Bey, the Turk
fS6 Ntniet I, l;,11y
day and the minister has been a rather
frequent visitor to the department on such
days, it was pretty well understood that
the occasion for this particular call was
the publication of the intention Of the
United States government to bring to an
immediate issue the negotiations with Tur-
key relative to the payment of the Ameri-
can missionary and other claims 1t is
understood that the purpose of the minis
ter was primarily to gather information on
this subject of which he was ignorant, ow-
ing to the fact that the negotiations have
been conducted exclusively in Constanti-
nople.
Following the invariable rule of diplo-
matte Intercourse neither of the principals
was at liberty to disclose the details of the
interview. 1t is understood. however that
while aware of the fact that there has been
nothing far in the nature of ulti-
matum the minister was impressed with
the fact that the situation is actually one
Oh great gravity, ana II is presumed tnat
he will SO inform his government. He IS.
however, still confident that the present
crisis will be safely passed without perma-
nent disturbance of the traditional good
relations between the United States and
Turkey.
The Minister'S Contention.
Ali Ferrouh Bey, in recent discussion Of
the matter, declared that Turkey is not re-
sponsible for the claims, as it had given
3deuuafe n foJaipparS raCi6jpey
within its boundarie during the revolution
of some years ago.
{" I can hardly believe he said, that any
foundation exists for the reports that there
Is grave danger of a rupture in the diplo- |
matte relations between the United States |
and the sublime porte on account of the |
latter S failure to pay claims arising out Of |
alleged outrages suffered by American mis- |
sionaries in Turkey. The relations be-
tween the two governments have always
been of such a friendly character and are |
too sacred to be so lightly broken off. The |
claims amount in all to $4,000, a paltry |
sum, l think, upon which to base such a |
regrettable act.
clare that the United States would be !
greater sufferer than Turkey in the event |
that diplomatic relations are suspended. |
Straus Remains in New York |
Oscar S. Straus, minister from the United |
States to Turkey, is at his home in New |
1ork, where 1t is understood he is to re- |
main until the claims dispute is settled.
When Mr.. Straus found that the sultan,
despite his personal pledge to pay the |
claim, which had, at his solicitation, been /
reduced from more than $500, 900 to 500, 600,
was bent on continuing his policy of delay |
he sent a dispatch to Washington relating
the facts of the negotiations and Offering |
his immediate resignation. The resigna-
ton if accepted would have been almost |!
to a direct challenge to the
sublime porte
The administration was not prepared,
however, to take SO positive a step and
asked Minister Straus to permit his reSig-
nation to remain unacted upon and to re-
tire from Constantinople until the affair
might be adjusted amicably or by firm
pressure upon the sultan. 1t is understood, |
therefore, that the absence of Minister |
Straus from Constantinople is notice to the
sultan of the displeasure of this country |
Mr.. Straus said to reporter yesterday:
Il regard the situation grave unless
the sultan promptly makes good his prom
seS.
THE sultan has made the promise to
hrSt shortly after my arrival there in De-
cember, 1898; second, about six months
thereafter, and third, short time before 1
left. l have always been we'll disposed to-
ward Turkey and l regard the sultan as an
intelligent monarch, and / trust that he |
will show that intelligence by satisfying
our claims and not wait until it is too |
ate."