The San Francisco call., 1901-11-07
FRANCE s STAND
IS SATISFACTORY
Grievances Against Tur-
key Accumulate for
Many Years.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

CALL BUREAU, 14O6 G STREET, N.
W., WASHINGTON, Nov. 6.-France has
officially communicated to the United
states an explanation of her purposes in
occupying the Island of Mitylene belong
ing to Turkey. This explanation was made
to-day to Secretary Hay by NJ de Mar
gerie, Charge d'Affaires of the French
Government, and as stated by that dipIo-
mat it is so convincing and clear as to eff
fectuaIly remove any misgivings which
may have been entertained by the. Presi-
dent and Hay regarding the intentions oc
France.
1t is learned authoritatively that M. de
Margerle explained that in occupying the
island OF M1tylene France has no luten-
tlon OF permanently holding turkish ter
ritofy. "A que regard for her interests IN
the orient compelled her to take this az
ton The justice of her claims has been
repeatedly recognized by the sublime
Porte. Some OF them arose out of incl
dents which occurred twenty-five years
ago. They were dipIomatically presente1
10 the sultan with the necessary proof
M. de Margerie himself, who was sta
toned IN Constantinople for ten years, was
engaged in negotiations for their settle
ment. The Sultan agreed to pay but failed
to keep his engagements. The matter
reached a stage where French dignity
could no longer permit evasion. AS a sign
of her displeasure and III the nope of caus-
ing the execution of the Turkish promises
the EInDaSSdQOr In COnStantinOnla
was withdrawn. Two months passed an
the Sultan still failed to meet his adml.-
ted obligations.
Has Important Interests.
France has important interests in Tur-
key, religious and otherwise. French mis-
sions French schools, hospitals, etc., are
established there. In order to insure their
protection in the future and to maintain
French prestige it was necessary to com
pei a settlement of the claims. France
had no desire to precipitate conflicts with
other powers. So instead of landing ,troop; +;
ON the mainland of Turkey she deter
mined to occupy an island belonging to
the Porte. France feels, and it is saii
here justly, that she Should be reimbursed
for the expenses which she has incurred
in dispatching a force to Mitylene. and
that as compensation for the trouble to
which she has heen put the Sultan should
definitely fix the status of certain French
establishments within his territory. When
these demands are complied with France
will withdraw from Mitylene.
By reason of his service in Constantine
pie M. de Margerie was able to fully ex-
plain the causes which led to the action
of his Government. One result and 5,
very important one, of the French policy
will be, it is believed to cause Turkey
hereafter to meet her obligations. and it
is pointed out that should an indemnity
be demanded for Miss Stone the Porte
will show a disposition to meet the de
mand more expeditiousy than it would
have done before the French demonstra-
tion. In view of M. de Margeries expla-
nation the authorities are confirmed in
their purpose not to send warships to
Turkey.
Landing Not Yet Made.
PARIS, Nov. ga dispatch from Ad-
miral Caillard received here tonight but
dated this morning, announces that his
SQUADRON is still lying before the island of
Mitylene. No landing has yet been ef.
fected. A heavy sea is running.
A dispatch from Constantinople reports
that the Ministers held an unusual meet
ing this afternoon for the purpose of ex-
amining the propositions submitted by
the counselor Of the Fre-ch legation, NJ.
Bapst.