The evening times., 1900-04-19
CLAIMS AGAINST TURKEY
Ali FerrOuh Bey COnfers With Act
ing Secretary Hill.
The Representative of the Sublime
Porte Given TO InderStand That
mand for Indemnity-QuIck Action
Necessary TO Avoid serious Results

Ali Ferrouh Bey, the Turkish Minister,
called at the State Department today and
had a ten-minute conversation ~ith Act
ing Secretary Hill about the claim Of the
United States for indemnity on account Of
damage done to American property durins
the Armenian troubles. No ultimatum was
delivered TO the Minister and no threat Of
retaliation against Turkey was insinuated,
but the Minister carried away from the
Department the idea that the situation
was exceedingly grave and that serious
consequences 20 Turkey could be avoided
only by speed in compliance on her part
with the American demand.
The impression given in dispatches from
Washington that the United States is ay-
ing a game of bluff and has no intention
Of adopting extreme measures. if Turkey
does not pay the indemnity demanded is
not based on anything more than surmise
The State Department is apparently intent
on bringing the matter 10 a concIus On
quickly II is admitted officially that the
Government has gone too far 10 recede from
adopting radical measures If Turkey does
not redeem the Sultan's promise to pay
the indemnity The pride of the United
States is involved 10 suGh an extent taat
failure TO act in positive way would. it is
explained, place the Government in a II
diculOus attitude before the world
There is no present intention on the part
OF the Government to send a fleet 10 5myr-
ma 10 back Up demapd for the payment
OF damages That course was considered
carefully but was deemed unnecessary
and impracticable at this time The Gov
ernment's plan OF action 10 be applied In
the event that the money is not PAID soon
is TO recall Mr. Griscom the American
Cnarge dAnaires al Cons,antinople, and
hand Ali Ferrouh Bey his passports. hop
ing such action will have the effect OF
bringing Turkey TO a realization OF the
temper OF the United States.
The Turkish Minister says that his Gov
ernment Is not liable for the indemnity
because no proof has been submitted that
the damage 10 American property in Ar
menia was inflicted by Turkish subjects
and that there is an agreement between
the two governments that this proof must
De had before Turkey can be held liable
Tie says also that the Sultan did not prom
ise 10 pay the indemnity. Surprise is ex-
pressed in Government circles over these
statements as the Government has eyi-
dence OF the SuIJAn's Acknowledgement Of
the justice OF the claim and his promise
TO pay il. This promise, according 10 Of
fetal documents on file al the state De
parJment. was not made once only. bat
several times
officials here say they know Of ID agree
ment with the Sultan in the matter that
Offsets the Sultan's pledge that the in
demnity Will be forthcoming.
Ali Ferrouh Bey, the Turkish Minister
made the following statement 10 a Times
reporter this afternoon.
The noise in the newspapers in the
country will not affect the friendly re-
lations between the two countries
hope and think that the question will
be settled in an amicable manner The
amount involved is entirely too small
10 cause a rupture and there is no
doubt but that IL viii be settled 20 the
satisfaction Of both governments
The newspapers have greatly exag-
geraJed the affair and are making a
great fuss about IL while the amount IS
not quite $loo goo which. rs you see.
is too small 10 cause any serious CON-
plicstions.
4 have often said that my Govern
ment was not responsible for the out
RACES committed upon American prop
eTty during the Armenian troubles. but
there is no doubt that everything will
be settled satisfactorily"
The interview between Acting Secretary
Hill and the Turkish Minister today Will
it is believed serve to bring matters TO a
head, as the Minister will inform his Gov
ernmeHt by telegraph OF the attitude OF
the United States, as explained by the Act
ing Secretary.