The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-11-05
FRANCE AND TURKEY.

The origin of the friction between
France and Turkey dates back about
ten years. Under a concession from
the Sultan, a French corporation con-
structed docks and quays on either side
of the Golden Horn at Constantinople.
These Improvements were opened for
business in 1895. At first there was
dissatisfaction on account Of the fees
charged by the company, but that was
smoothed over and the business of the
docks and quays increased and became
profitable. 1t is alleged that the Turk
ish government began to covet the rev.
enues of the French company, and to
lay plans for securing the plant. In
the original agreement under which the
concession was given there was a pro-
vision to the effect that the Turkish
government might acquire the property
after certain time and under certain
conditions. 1t is the French conten-
ton that the government deliberately
began a system of annoyances for the
purpose of making the French owners
dissatisfied and willing to sell out for
less than the real value of their hold
ings.
In the building Of the quays and
sary to reclaim many acres of land.
This land was claimed by the French
company under the terms of it's fran
chise. The government, however. de-
MED the claim. and when the company
attempted to sell off certain of the
lands the government refused to per-
feet the titles. That was just one of
the ways in which the company was
hampered. 1t is said there were many
other stabs, and innumerable pin
pricks, by the government.
At last the Frenchmen got ready to
sell. They had invested something
like 100000 in the enterprise. and
wanted between $4,000, 900 and SIS, o0o,-
900 for their holdings and good will.
The Porte intimated it's willingness to
buy, but said it had not the money
with which to pay. Ambassador Con-
STAINS took hold of the matter and
tried to show the Porte how it might
be able to borrow about $4,000. 900. 1t
owed Frenchmen some s5,000,0o0 be-
sides the price of the dock and quay
property, he said, and by making the
loan as suggested the Porte could wipe
out the whole bill. There was some
demurring to this. and two months ago
the French ambassador left the Turk
ish capital, and the debts remained as
they were before-unpaid. Since that
time the situation has grown more and
more tense. until France has dis
patched fleet to Turkish waters.
In connection with the foregoing
there is to be considered a matter of
politics in which Russia, the ally of
France, is much interested. 1t is the
future of the island of Crete. 1t will
be remembered that following the re-
cent war between Turkey and Greece,
Prince George of Greece was made
High Commissioner Of Crete by the in
tervening Powers. Under the agree
ment then entered into his term of Of
fee will expire on Nov. 26. instant. A
pending question, therefore. is. Shall
Crete be annexed to Greece, or revert
to Turkey? Russia is said to favor
annexation, for purposes Of her own. A
demonstration against Turkey at this
time by a strong Power would be apt
to make the Porte more willing to lis
ten to reason" respecting the DISPOSE
ton Of Crete than II no foreign war
ships were of her ports. The situa-
ton is interesting. at least.