The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-08-23
FRANCE is
IN EARNEST.
Ambassador at .ConstantinOple
Issues an Ultimatum.
The Sultan Must Come to Time
or Have Trouble.
He Has Difficulties of His Own
at Home.
YOUNG TURK PARTY
Is a Constant Menace to His
Tenure of Power.
Watching For a Chance to Get
Rid of Him.

Constantinople, Aug. 2s.-The French
ambassador, NJ Constans. today sent
a letter to the sultan personally inform
ing him that he would leave CONSTANT
nople with the entire staff of the en-
bassy. if the matters in dispute We're
not settled Immediately. The letter was
in the nature of an ultimatum.
It accords the sultan the briefest de-
lay within which to comply with the
demands.
WHY HE CHANGED HIS MIND.
New York, Aug. 23.-The French gov
ernment is thoroughly in earnest in its
attitude toward Turkey. and is fully
aware that at the present moment no
foreign power would raise any objec-
tions to French fleet resorting to
most drastic measures. says Paris
dispatch TO the Tribune. According to
information that has reached Paris,
the real reason for the sultan changing
his mind and declining TO fulfill his
promise was due to his hopes that the
obstreperous clamor of the Nationalist
party in France would induce NJ Del
casse the minister of foreign affairs,
10 disavow NJ. Constans- The sultan >
great objection to the French conees-
sion is that if the COnstantinople quays
were under the control of a French or
other foreign company. there would De
disquieting facilities for the landing Of
cOnspirators and their baggage. But
Constans gave the sultan the option OF
buying back the dangerous quays by
paying Al million francs for them with
IN SIX months, and provided the porte
with q scheme for raising the cash.
An important factor of the situation
is that the sultan is known to be in
great fear Of the Young Turkey party,
whose headquarters are in France. ami
who have for years been cOnspiring to
get rid of Abdul Hamid- In fact. the
whole duty of Munir Bey. the Turkish
ambassador in Paris. for the last four
years has been to watch these young
Turks and to send confidential reports
to the Yildiz Kiosk about their doings.
Munir Bey just now IS absent from
France, but in case Constans should
decide to exert his authority to break
OF diplomatic relations with Turkey.
one of the first steps of the French
government would be to inform Nunir
Bey that he could not re-enter France
Ihereby the sultan would be kept IN
ignorance of the Vaccinations of the
young Turk conspira tors, and ii is
thought that this would nave upon the
timorous but crafty character of Abdul
Aamid greater effect than even a naval
demonstra ton. At all events the
French government hasA several other
trump cards up its sleeve to play be
fore resOrting to naval demonstration
or acts of hostility. such as the seizure
or customs dues or bOmbardment.
MUCH DEPENDS ON ENGLAND.
New York, Aug. 23.-Oscar 5. Straus
formerly United States minister to
Turkey is of the opinion that in the
present situation as between France
and Turkey much will depend upon the
attitude Of England, Austria Roumania
and Greece, with Russia, of course, the
most important factor outside Of the
two principals
The situation has a very serious
side, said Mr. Straus, 'sinasmuch as
the Objecting countries, namely Eng
land. Austria. Roumania and Greece in
pursuance of whose protests the sultan
has taken his present stand. are moral
ly bound to side with Turkey 7 use
the word morally in the ordinary
sense. though I question whether it
should be used in respect to interna-
tiOnal matters"
Mr. Straus said that the prOba bflities
howeveF, are ali in favor of a peaceful
settlement, though the situation is one
OF great seriousness containing an ele-
ment Of danger. 1t was Mr. Straus who
developed the diplomatic plans by which
the sublime porte was brought to settle
the American indemnity claims He
believes that the position of France
today is vastly weaker than that occu-
pied by the United States then