The Indianapolis journal., 1903-11-08
AMERICAN MISSIONARIES IN
TURKEY.

The Washington Post publishes letter
from Hon. George B. Williams in which
he criticises the action of American mis-
policy of the United States government
toward them. Mr.. Williams. is a citizen of
Indiana. formerly of Lafayette. and is
well known throughout the State. though
for many years past he has spent his time
in Washington and abroad. He is a stanch
Republican and has held important offices.
In Europe he has been connected with the
promotion Of some large enterprises, and he
has spent several years in different parts
Of the Turkish empire and Russia. The
point of his criticism is that the United
States consular service in certain parts of
the Turkish empire has been used alto
gether too much for the protection of
American missionaries and schools. which.
he says, are not attended by a single
American student. He declares that United
States consulates have been established at
points where there is no trade or business
and no reason for their establishment ex-
cept the protection OF these schools. He
adds:
The Armenian students and graduates of
these schools gradually Undue themselves
with the idea that they are no longer Turk
ish subjects, but privileged class unuer
the protection OF the United States govern
ment- They consequently when opportu-
nifty occurs, fOment political disturbances
and are generally at the bottom or the IN
ternal intrigues of the country. The mis-
sionaries ask the United States TO protect
these schools to urge the Porte TO recog-
nize this protection, to have United States
consuls appointed at certain points where
these schools are numerous, etc, etc AND
the United States is doing their bidding
in violation of treaties, of laws. of common
decency and common sense.
No doubt there is some truth in this
statement, though the closing sentence
probably puts the case too strongly. But
that the zeal of American missionaries has
sometimes brought them in conflict with
Turkish customs and laws, and that the
United States government has been put to
much trouble at different times on their
account Is undoubtedly true. Viewed in the
abstract, it is rather risky business and
not altogether neig.hborly for citizens or
one country to locate in another for the
avowed purpose of attacking its religion
and educating its people In new one es-
sentially at war with its traditions and
government. 1t is doubtful If the estab-
lishment of Mohammedan mission schools
in this country by the Turks and the open
prosecution Of a Moslem propaganda would
be regarded with any more favor by
Americans than the efforts of our mission
aries in Turkey are by the people of that
country. Under our treaties with Turkey
American missionaries in that country are
entitled to the same protection as other
American citizens, but the latter do not
meddle with the religion or internal affairs
of this country, as the business OF mission
aries requires them to do. 1t is not in
tended to intimate that missionary work
in Turkey should be abandoned; on the
| contrary, it should be steadily prosecuted,
but those engaged in it should be given to
understand that they are expected to be
| very careful not to unnecessarily antago-
nize local laws and customs, and especially
not to meddle in political affairs or incul-
| cate hostility to the Turkish government.
There is enough Of that among the Arme-
mans without teaching it, Missionary
schools should not be made centers of anti
| Turkish influence.