Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-08-24
THE SULTAN YIELDS
France Gains Its Point Regarding the
Quays Question.
IN IMPERIAL TRADE ISSUED
French Company May Exercise Al!
Rights Of Its Concession.
HISTORY OF THE TROUBLE

CONsTANTINOPLE, August "a. : The
Quays Company question has been settled
as expected, in accordance with the desires
of France.
An imperial trade has been issued order
exercise freely all the rights granted by
the concession.
PARIS, August A.-Turkey has yielded
to French pressure, as was inevitable, and
full rupture of the relations between the
two countries has been averted. The off,
cial communique, announcing the granting
of the French demands. issued this morn
ing follows:
In consequence Of the declaration made
to the porte by the French ambassador
that he acts under instructions from the
minister of foreign affairs, an imperial
trade has been issued declaring that no
obstacle shall be opposed to the free exer-
else by the Quay Company of the rights
resulting from the concession"
A frman for the settlement of the other
matters in question will, it is believed, be
issued shortly
The strained relations now existing be-
tween France and Turkey owing to the al
legged failure of the sultan to carry out GER
tain promises made to NJ. ConStans, the
French ambassador, recalls somewhat
similar situation between this country and
Turkey in the recent past. 1t will be re
membered that the sultan made promises to
Mr.. Oscar s.. Straus, then United States
minister to Turkey. regarding the payment
of certain indemnity claims 1t was for a
time thought that there might be rupture
of our relations with Turkey. but this was
avoided because in that case the sultan s
promises were so definite that Mr.. Strauss
succeeded in having them respected.
When seen in New York yesterday Mr.
Straus stated that he regarded the posi-
tion of France in its present contention
United States when the payment of the IT.
demnity claims was the issue between the
two nations.
Concessions That Caused Trouble.
He also gave an interesting review Of the
Franco-Turksh dispute, as the incidents
leading up to 1T were being discussed while
he was in Constantinople. He said that a
concession for building docks at CONSTANT
nople was secured by Frenchmen ten
years ago. A company was formed with
French capital and the docks constructed
being completed about three years ago.
This made 1t possible for ships to land
cargoes at the wharves instead of dis
charging in mid-stream as was formerly
necessary. The concessonaires. said Mr.
Straus who are known the Quay Com
pany. had obtained rights from the Turk
ish government compelling all vessels to
discharge at the docks and to pay heavy
tonnage frees therefor, and tried to en-
force these rights. These rights bore upon
all foreign commerce. and the representa-
tives Of Great Britain, Austria, Roumania
and Greece. and some other nations, pro-
tested against the charges conflicting
with treaties of commerce These treaties
according to Mr.. Strauss, practically pro-
vided that there should be one-eighth per
cent import duty on all goods entering Tur-
KEY and that there should be no other
charges imposed.
The Turkish government found itself In
an unfortunate position. The concessions
to the Quay Company and the commercial
treaties were undoubtedly In direct conflict.
1t was realized that to yield to the Quay
Company, or, in other words, France, was
to invite the immediate cooperative OppO-
sition of the other powers having commerce
treaties. The sultan discovered that he
was in an awkward difficulty and thus far
has been unable to extricate himself.
Thinks Settlement VIII He Peaceful.
Mr.. Straus said that 1t would appear that
NJ. Constans had been recently assured that
the concessions to the Quay Company would
be enforced by the sultan, and that those
promises had been postponed" to use a
mild word. Mr. Straus expressed the opin-
ion that the present probabilities are all in
favor Of a peaceful settlement, but said the
possibility of hostiities between France
and Turkey will much depend upon the af-
fairs Of Europe for ,ne next fortnight. The
situat tion was one of great seriousness and
contained an element of danger; but, on the
other hand, there were many things that
would make for peace. The sultan is toll
Grated in Europe and knows that before a
hostile gun is fired Turkey will be assured
that 1t has strong support.
War between the two countries" said
Mr.. Straus, would mean a general Euro
pean confagration and Europe Is not ready
fOn that conflagration."
In the course Of his remarks Mr.. Straus
called attention to the fact that both
France and Turkey were erratic at times
France, he said, had home problems to
solve, and 1t was impossible to say how
great an effect this would have upon her
position in the Mediterranean Then too
much would depend upon the attitude OF
England, Austria, Roumania and Greece
and Russia, the most important factor OF
all outside Of the two principals
There are but few diplomatic representa-
tives of foreign countries at present in
Washington, and 1t is said that none OF
these have been formally apprised Of the
Franco-Turkish crisis. 1t Is understood
however, that a firm conviction is felt In
such circles that the difficulty will be set
tied without recourse to force.
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