The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-18
TURKEY NEEDS "A HINT
HAS NOT YET PAID THE CLAIMS OF
AMERICAN MISSIONARIES.
May BE Waiting for n Fleet of Uncle
Sans Battleships to Appear
OF One of Her Ports.

NEW YORK, April ia special to the
Times from Washington says: Estate De-
partment officials will not talk for publica-
tion about the dispute between the United
States and Turkey over the failure of the
latter country to pay the indemnity for the
destruction of American missionary prop
erty during the riots Of 1895, except to deny
that there has been any suspension of dip
lomatic relations. While Minister Strauss
is in this country for an apparently indef-
mite stay, we have a charge d'affaires in
Turkey and diplomatic relations still con-
tinue 1t is evident. however, that in the
belief of the administration the time is ap
preaching when Turkey must receive the
usual sharp hint which Is always neces-
sary to make that country pay debt.
There Is nothing unusual about the long
delay-sixteen months-since the Porte last
promised to pay the $4,000 indemnity. 1t is
Turkeys invariable way of attending to
such matters and has not surprised any
body. Amy nation which collects in
demnity from Turkey said an official to-
day. ought to be entitled to an additional
indemnity 10 compensate for the time lost
and the strain on the nervous system
When this manana policy has been
stretched to the utmost there usually
comes time when final hint is neces-
sary. European nations cannot always
give utterance to that final hint The
United States can do so. and the only ques-
ton is how soon the time will come.
There is another matter In issue with
Turkey-the payment of an indemnity for
the death of Frank LEM, the wheelman.
The Turkish policy Is the same In both
cases and is the time-honored policy of
that government. One reason for the be-
lief that the time is approaching when the
final jog will be given to Turkeys memory
Is that the State Department claims that
nothing Is being done by this government
to secure the payment of the indemnity.
1t Is known that the government has for
a long time been trying to secure the pay
ment, and there Is apparently no reason
for dropping all efforts at this time. This
leads to the belief that the State Depart
ment is preparing to give a strong hint
and does not care TO talk about 1t in ad
vance"
An Associated Press dispatch from Wash
ington says: Mr.. Strauss, the United
States minister to Turkey, is at present in
the United States on leave of absence As
has been announced, he presented his res
ignation, but the President, regarding the
services of Mr.. Strauss as indispensable,
extended his leave, subject to the call of
the secretary of state, whenever circum-
stances may necessitate his return. Diplo-
macy appears to have exhausted itself at
Constantinople. the Sultan having prom
Used to pay the indemnity claims, amount
ing to some $50 900. which promise was
again renewed prior to Mr.. Strauss de-
parture. and although sixteen months have
elapsed since the promise was first made
that promise still remains unfulflled
What action the government will now take
to enforce the Sultan's promise is not def
ntely known but as the situation Is criti-
cal. ii may result in Secretary Hay sending
the Turkish minister at Washington his
passports. The question involved between
the two countries is no longer one resting
upon disputed points of international law,
but upon the Sultan's broken faith. This is
not his only, promise. he having stated to
our minister that he would give his permit
for the reconstruction or the American
college and school buildings, which, up to
the present. the official permit upon one
excuse and another. has been withheld.
When DR.. Angel resigned, in 1885, the
relations between the countries were crit
ical by reason of the inaction of the Turk
ish government and its refusal to entertain
the indemnity claims. Mr. Straus. by rea-
son of his successful previous mission and
his past experience, summoned by the
President TO take up the mission as best
qualified to adjust the pending questions
in a manner satisfactory to both countries.
in September, 1885, several matters yielded
to negotiation. He then addressed himself
TO the main questions, the compensation
for missionary buildings destroyed and for
property looted and the permit for their
rebuilding. The Turkish government,
shortly before the departure of DR.. Angel,
sent reply denying all liability for the
buildings and property destroyed. A SIM
liar reply was sent to the ambassadors of
England. France and Italy. having like
claims. Mr.. Straus took up the question
anew. basing his argument upon the WELL
recognized principles of international law.
with the result that audience with the
Sultan on the Sth of December, 1885, fol-
lowed, the Sultan promising to pay the
claims. The claims were examined with
great care and scrutiny. based upon the
principles of indemnity for the actual
value of the property destroyed. The Sui
tan also stated that he had given permits
sion for the reconstruction of the destroyed
buildings. Neither of these promises has
been kept.
The situation is practically this Our
minister has succeeded in obtaining judg-
ment by confession upon the claims, which
confession was made by the Sultan HIM
self. but the execution remains unsatisfied
Diplomacy has exhausted itself and Mr..
Straus has. under the guidance of Secre-
tary Hay. done everything diplomacy could
accomplish to bring the Sultan's attention
TO the seriousness of the situation. Our
minister, we'll as our government. hoped
that the Sultan's promise. though delayed.
would be fulfilled. During the continual
ton of Mr.. Strauss leave of absence the
legation is in charge of Capt Lloyd c.
Griscom. secretary of legation. who is
fully cOnversant with the business