The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1904-08-12
THE SULTAN
MUST NOW FISH OR CUT
BAIT UNLESS
UNCLE SAM WEAKENS
More Battleshlps Going
to Smyrna.

Washington, ID. c., Aug. S.-The sui
tan has no doubt by this time received
a rush cable from Chelib Bey, his
charge here, that the United States
government feels aggrieved over the re-
fusal of the Sublime Porte to treat
with its representative in Turkey and
that a fleet of warships is steaming
rapidly to Smyrna to give moral and
physical support to United States Min
lister Leishman.
Chekib Bey was plainly informed by
Secretary of State Hay this afternoon
that such was the meaning Of the in
structions given to Rear Admiral Jew
ell to sail from Vile F'rapche with his
cruiser squadron for the Turkish port.
The Turkish representative has read
the newspaper reports and said he had
called merely to learn at first hand, but
that they, according to his mind, were
exaggerated as usual
Just what was said in the brief con-
ference is not made public, but it is
understood that CheMb Bey was told
in language so plain as to bear no mis-
construction that the newspapers had
presented with fair accuracy the con-
ditions as existing and that they had in
no wise exaggerated the way this gov
ernment felt over the action Of the
sultan in his repeated and prolonged
refusal to take up for settlement the
grave questions that have been pend
ing for a year or more.
Chekib Bey was visibly agitated
when he hurriedly left the state de-
partment. He declined to discuss the
affair, other than to announce that he
had received no instructions from his
government and that prior to the con-
ference this afternoon he had nothing
more than he had read in the papers
He intimated that he would advise the
sultan at once of the information he
had been given by the secretary Of
state but said he could not. Of course,
publicly forecast the nature of that i'm
portant communication.
The navy department received ad
vices today Of the arrival at Gibraltar
of Rear Admiral Barker's great battle-
ship squadron. 1t will be detained
there pending the outcome of the nego-
/ tiations which it is believed will be re-
sumed by the sultan and Minister
Leishman without great delay.
Should there be an unexpected hitch
meantime deem advisable the presence
of this feet in Turkish waters, Rear
Admiral Barker will be ordered to join
Rear Admiral jewell
While 1t is admitted that discus
sion of open war with Turkey is at this
time premature, there is nevertheless
under careful consideration by the gov
ernment plan OF action that will gov
ern should the bombardment or seizure
OF port be made.
The United States government feels
that 1t has been deeply insulted by the
sultan. 1t is willing to overlook the
unfriendly acts and not attempt to in
sist upon an apology II an amicable
adjustment of pending differences can
be reached without further delay. But
1t is admitted that the time for further
temporizing has passed,
Turkey has no accredited represen-
tative here and this breach of inter-
national etiquette has long been sore
spot with the government. Over three
years ago Alix Ferough Bey, the Turk
ish minister left for home suddenly
The state department was not notified
as to his departure or the causes lead
ing up to 1t.
Shortly afterward Chekib Bey ar
rived here He has never presented
his credentials. He has been received
by Secretary Hay merely out Of cour-
tesy. Several times the subject of no
tifying him to present his credentials
or leave has been under consideration
but no action taken.
The failure Of the Turkish govern
ment to fill the post OF minister here
in proper manner has always been
deemed to be due to the desire of the
sultan to avoid a consideration of the
pending questions. His policy Of eva
sion should be conducted more satis-
factorily at ConstantinopIe than II the
government was properly represented
at this capital.