The Topeka state journal., 1900-04-18
TURKEY MUST PAY.
Matter of American Claims Has
Reached Critical Stage.

WASHINGTON. April 1S.-There is no
longer any question that the diplomatic
relations between the United States
and Turkey are in a critical state, grow
ing out of the sultan's bad faith. He
promised to pay the indemnity claims
of the American missionaries for the
destruction of eight buildings of the
Euphrates colleges at Harpoot and sew
eral buildings belonging to the Ameri-
can missionaries at Maras during the
Armenian nassacres of 1895. Mr.. Straus,
the United States minister to Turkey is
at present in the United States on leave
of absence. AS has already been an
nounced he presented his resignation,
but the president. regarding the ser
vices of Mr. Straus as indispensable,
definitely extended his leave, subject to
the call of the secretary of state when
ever circumstances may necessitate his
return.
Diplomacy appears to have exhausted
itself at Constantinople, the sultan hav-
ing promised to pay the indemnity
claims, amounting to some 500, 900, which
promise was again renewed prior to
Mr. Straus' departure and although Is
months have elapsed since the promise
was first made, that promise still re-
mains untitled. What action the gov
sultan's promise is not definitely
known, but as the situation is critical,
it may result in Secretary Hay sending
the Turkish minister at Washington his
passports. The question involved be-
tween the two countries is no longer
one resting upon disputed points of in
ternational law but on the sultan's bro
ken faith. This is not his only promise,
he having stated sa~our minister that
he would give his permit for the recon
struction of the American college and
school buildings, which up to the pres
ent, upon one excuse and another, has
been withheld.
When Dr. Angel resigned in 1898 the
relations between the two countries
Werc critical by reason of the inactiOn
of the Turkish government and its re-
fusal to entertain the indemnity claims.
Mr.. StrauS, by reason of his successful
previous mission and his past expert
ence, was summoned by the president
to take up the mission as best qualified
to adjust the pending question in a
manner satisfactory to both countries
Shortly after his arrival at CONSTANT
nople in September, 1898, several mat
! ters yielded to negotiation. He then
| addressed himself to the main questions
! the compensation for missionary build
| ings destroyed and the property looted
and the permit for their rebuilding The
Turkish government, shortly before the
| departure of DR.. Angel sent a reply de-
nying all liability for the buildings anC
| property destroyed.
a similar reply was sent to the am
bassadors of England, France and 1t
ally having like claims. Mr.. Strau
took up the question anew, basing nj
argument upon the well recognize,
principles of international law with tn
result that at an audience with the sui
tan on the 10th of December, 1898, tn
sultan promised to pay the claims. Th
claims were examined with great car
and scrutiny based upon the principle
of indemnity for the actual value of tn
property destroyed. The sultan also sta
ted that he would give permission 70
the reconstruction of the destroys
buildings. Neither of these promise
has been kept. During the continuatio
of Minister Straus' leave of absence. til
legation is in charge of Captain Lloy
c. Griscom, secretary of legation, VIII
is fully conversant with the business