Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-08-06
Considered at Meeting
of the Cabinet.
Important Matters Concerning
Americas Foreign Relations.
Secretary Hay Declines After the Con.
ference to Say II Any Decision Had
Been Reached-TroubIe With the
Sultan May Be More Serious.

Washington, Aug. 5.-Secretary Hays
return to the city from his summer
home il: New Hampshire was signal
lied by consideration at, today's, cabi-
net meeting of important matters con-
corning Americas foreign relations.
The secretary had not completed his
vacation, but returned to Washington
at this time on account of the develop
ments in this country's relations with
Turkey. The whole question was con-
sidered by the President and his cabi-
net, today, in the light of information
received by cable, today. from Minister
Lcishniann. This government has been
pressing the Porte for an answer to our
representations.
The Sultan promised to answer last
friday, but Minister Leishmann was
put off until, yesterday. He was prom
iscd an answer from the Sultan himself
as to the rights of Americans to estab-
lish schools and other educational in
stitutions in the Turkish empire. Such
rights have been accorded other ma
tions. but have been withheld from
America.
Secretary Hay lay before the Presi-
dcnt ana inc tdDlilct IL cdUleSTdUl ne
just had received from Minister Leish-
mann to the effect that he had not been
able to obtain a satisfactory answer to
his representations, that this govern
mcnt is annoyed ut the procrastination
of the Porte and at what seems to be
ii studied effort on the part Of the Sui
tan to dily-dally with the American
approximations there Is no attempt to
conceal.
Secretary Hay declined, however, af-
ter he left the cabinet meeting to say
what if any decision had been reached.
Secretary Morton's replies to similar
questions indicated the probability OF
important action by his department
bearing uron the Turkish question. 1t
is known that a proposition has been
made to hold the American battleship
squadron at Gibraltar instead of hav-
ing ii returned at once to this country.
IL Gibraltar the squadron would be
available for any service the govern
mcnt might determine to have 1t per-
form.
some other matters. principally re-
Gar'ling tn" departments were consd-
cred at today's meeting. but nothing
Of consequence concerning them was
disclosed.
During the meeting National Chair
man rortc'vuu vas In the private office
Of Prcsidrut Roosevelt attending to
some correspondence.
After the meeting. the President,
Postmaster General Payne. Attorney
General Moody AMI Mr.. Cortelyou had
conference on political matters.
The situation was regarded as suffi-
Cicntly grave to warrant some change
in the program that had been formed
for the movement Of the United States
naval vessels in the Mediterranean.
While ii was not decided to stop the
home coming Of the fleet Of big battle
ships due at Gibraltar in day or two.
the determination was reached to have
Admiral Jewell, commanding the Euro
pcan squadron, which has separated
from TIE battlcship squadron and is
now at Villefranchc. remain in that vi
cinity until further orders, or at least
not to come further westward while the
are pending.