The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-08-17


people Their pride is no less invested in the demand
that Americans shall be legally the equal Of men OF
other nations in the empire Of the sultan
1t is surely strange thing that Abdul lIamid,
who holds his position as European ruler by virtue
Of the rival ambitions of other continental nations
which he treats with craft and indifference, should
vet grant TO their nationals equality which he de-
nies to Americans, whose country has no desire to
interfere with his position or the integrity of his
empire in Europe Asia Minor or Africa,
While it is true that only the congress of the
United States can declare war, it is also true that
the president can use the force of the nation to pro
Itect such American rights as are denied by the sui
tan. by making naval demonstration and even by
proceeding to the extreme Of throwing shot through
the palace and Seraglio of the sultan. Ii Turkey
remain obdurate and continue an insulting and de-
iant attitude the same American pride and senti-
iment that would have demanded war against Austria
to enforce the rights of Martin Kozsta will demand
that congress take the most extreme measures against
Turkey in the present controversy. 1t would be a
conflict which Europe would regard with com
plaeency for it might well end with the destruction
of European Turkey, and the solving of the prob
lem of the 'Sick Man," which has been the despair
of the continental powers and Great Britain,
No American is so insensibe to the dignity of his
country as to refuse approval of vigorous action in
such situation When Secretary Hay sent his ulti-
matum to the sultan of Morocco in the ease of Per-
dicaris, demanding ''Perdicaris alive, or Raisaul
h. oh IN
feeling. We will not be treated with contempt or
put under the ban of inequality by any nation, and
least of all by such organized iniquity as Turkey.
The sultan has so long enjoyed immunity from the
continental powers and has reduced lying to 50 fine
an art that he has become proud and puffed up
with the idea that he can do as he pleases with a
nation so distant as the United States. Tht senti-
ment of modern governments and of civili2 ,ton de-
mands that the nationals Of one country shall be
safe and equal in all other countries The subjects
of the sultan come here and find absolute equality
of right. They have mobility throughout our bor-
ders can engage in business or the practice OF pro-
fession, and amply protected by our laws being
under no ban on account of race tr religion.
By the treaty of Smyrna negotiated for the United
States by Commissioners Rhind and ohley and Com
modore Biddle and by Mohamme llamed for Tnr-
key, it was agreed that Merchants of the sublime
porte, whether Mussumans or Rayahs, going and
coming in the countries ports and provinces of the
United States, or proceeding from one port to an
other, or from the ports of the United States to
those of other countries, shall pay the same duties
and mposts that are paid by the most favored ma
ons and they shall not be vexed by the exacton of
higher duties and in travelling by and land all
the privileges and distinctions observed toward the
subjects of other powers shall serve as a rule and
shall be observed toward the merchants and subjects
of the sublime porte In like manner American
merchants, who shall come to the well defended
countries Of the sublime porte shall pay the same
duties and mposts that paid by merchants of the
most favored friendly powers, and they shall not
ir any way be vexed or molested American mer-
chants established in the well defended states of the
sublime porte, for purposes of commerce, shall have
liberty to employ semsars brokers of any nation or
religion in like manner as merchants of other friend
ly powers and they shall not be disturbed in their
affairs, nor shall they be treated in any way con-
trary to established usage"
That treaty has been systematically violated by
Turkey and observed by us. Turkey must now keep
faith or take the consequences.