Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-18
a Method of Redress Not Seriously
Entertained.
some step WILL Be TAKEN
On Account of the Broken Prom
ises of Turkey.
FEELING IN THE MATTER

The news Of the firm attitude assumed by
the State Department toward the Turkish
government in the prosecution of it's claim
for damages to American missionary prop
erty caused something Of a sensation in
diplomatic circles today.
AS matter of fact, based upon their own
experience with the Turkish government in
the effort to collect claims, those members
of the diplomatic body here who have
watched the progress of the negotiations
between the United States and Turkey for
the past five years have come to look with
cynical amusement upon the alternating
phases of hope and discoura cement by
which they have been characterized Three
successive American ministers have prose-
cuted these claims: each has received a
promise of prompt settlement, and yet not
dollar has been paid. With European
diplomats that Is an old experience, and
they have become consequently somewhat
surprised at the announcement that the
United States government is actually going
to insist upon performance instead of prom
Use.
The Proposed Seizure of Smyrna.
Minister Angel, after trying his hand at
collection for two years, recommended that
United States warship be sent to seize
Smyrna and collect revenues at the custom
house there sufficient to meet our claims.
This suggestion was not seriously enter
tanned, nor is it now. In the first place. ac-
cording to the State Department officials,
most Of the important business interests in
Smyrna are in the hands Of foreigners, not
Turks, and a bombardment by United
States warship might result in pretty bill
for damages against US. Then, as there
Is still a remnant of Turkish army the
United States would have to send a squad
ron instead of a single warship. Such a
movement would, without doubt. be resent
ed by the remainder of Europe, which could
not contemplate with eauanimity an action
OF the United States which would perhaps
destroy the fruits of many years work of
the greatest European statesmen by pre-
cipitating final crisis in Turkey.
The Next Step.
Therefore the next step to be taken by
our government will not be warlike, but
will still suggest in a most dignified man.
ner the indignation felt by our govern
ment at the non-fulillment of Turkish
promises. How this attitude will bear
upon the Turkish minister in Washington
cannot be foretold at this moment. He
Is so far absolutely unentangled in the
negotiation of these American claims but
that fact might not save him from being
made the immediate victim of his coun-
trys laches. The minister, however, is
very popular personally in Washington
and his enforced departure would be
matter of deep regret to official society,"
1t is earnestly hoped that by prompt ac-
ton on its part the Turkish government
may avert i'll consequences to its own
representative here. 1t is said that a rea-
sonable time will be allowed for satisfao-
ton of the claim before radical action is
taken.
During the continuation Of Minister
Straus leave of absence the American le-
CATION in Turkey is in charge of Capt
Lloyd c. Griscom. secretary of legation
who is fully conversant with the business