The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-08-15
Turkey at Last Grants the
Demands OF America.
Promises to Do EVerythingThat
We Have Demanded.
SHIPS CALLED OFF.
Admiral JeweII's Squadron
Ordered to Leave Smyrna.
Will Salute Flag and Depart for
Gibraltar at Once.

| Constantinople, Aug. 16.-After pro-
longed pourparlers and considerable
haggiing on the part of the Turks, a
satisfactory solution of the American
school question has arrived. This mat
ter, which is the most important of the
American demands. was settled by ex-
tending to American schools the same
treatment as that accorded to schools
under the protection of other powers.
A settlement of other matters AFFECT
ing American interests In Turkey, OF
secondary Importance, has also been
effected. and Minister Leishman has
| telegraphed to Rear Admiral Jewell, in
| command of the United States squad
ron sent to Smyrna instructtng him to
salute the batteries on land and de-
part.
The United States war vessels now at
Smyrna, under copnmand OF Rear Ad-
mtral Jewell, are the Cleveland, the
Olympia and the Baltimore. They will
leave Smyrna today and will SAIL for
Gibraltar. The ships comprise what ia
known as the American European
squadron, and will continue their
cruise in European waters for some
time. .--------.--
Washington, Aug 15.-The Associated
Press has received from a prominent Of
following statement of pending Ques-
tions with Turkey and the steps taken
towards their adjustment:
For many years the treatment Of ed
ucational establishments in the Otto
man empire founded and conducted by
American citizens has been very unsat-
isfactory. While similar schools under
the direction of other foreigners have
been recognized as existing, and have
been accorded the regular license or i'm
perial hrman upon application therefor.
11frl~af r f1rNrleS -
under American control have passed
unnoticed. Temporary permits obtain.
ed from the local authorities have been
hedged in with restrictions and have
not infrequently been ignored by the
Turkish government. Difficulties and
distractions have constantly been put
in the way of the American teachers in
marked contrast to the favor shown tns
schools Of other faticnafties and in
contravention OF the rights of American
citizens in Turkey to the most favored
treatment to be accorded to the citizens.
or subjects, OF other states. This dis
elimination was especially noticeable
with regard to the Protestant Medical
college at Beirut, in the matter of ex-
aminations and the right OF graduates
to exercise their profession. The
United States government claimed for
the American school the same priv
ileges accorded the French medical
school at Beirut. No such material diff
ference was seen in the schools as TO
warrant the discrimination practiced,
the difference being chiefly in the sys-
tenn of government of France and the
United States. The Protestant Medical
college, holding official authorization
from and having the supervision of the
state of New York, from which it de-
rives it's charter, was entitled to be re-
garded as a national institution as
much as the French school.
The earnest efforts of the American
minister at Constantinople to secure for
our schools and teachers the simplo
equality of treatment to which they are
entitled, having met with evasive and
dilatory treatment by the sublime
porte, and no progress having been
made toward a better understanding,
the president took the matter in hand,
and on February 2, 1903, cabled to Min
lister Leishman, directing him to ask an
audience of the sultan, in order to de-
liver to him a personal message from
the president of good will and assur-
ances of his hearty desire to cultivate
and maintain the most cordial relation
of friendship and to bring to the per-
sonal and direct attention of his ma
jeSty the embarrassments and grew
ances under which this government and
it's citizens labor, with an expression OF
the presidents desire and expectation
that the treatment of the most favored
nation would be received and the claim
of our colleges and schools to equal
treaty rights would be promptly recog-
nized.
ence was met with much evasion and
delay. Two months passed, in the
course of which one of the grounds OF
complaint was removed by the issuance
of an trade for the examination OF the
students at the medical school at Bel
rut. 1t was not until April that Mr..
Leishman was enabled to deliver the
presidents message in personal audi
ence of the sultan. His majesty was
pleased to promise immediate consider
alton to the requests there conveyed.
No progress whatever was made DUR
ing the next four months toward the
settlement of the questions at issue.
and the presidents message still re-
manned unanswered Notwithstanding
Mr.. Leishman's repeated and urgent
representations.
In the summer of 1903 the report CT
the attempted assassination Of the
American vice counsul at Beirut led TO
the visit of the American Mediterranean
squadron to that port to investigate the
circumstances. Its presence was oppor-
tune. The notorious insecurity of for~
eign life and property at Beirut was
remedied by the removal of the local
governor and the substitution of a more
energetic and friendly officer in his
place. The immediate object having
been accomplished, the squadron with
drew the last of January, 1904.
Jewell Leaves Smyrna.
Washington, Aug. 15.-Rear Admiral
Jewell, commanding the American Eur
opean squadron, today cabled to the
navy department announcing the de-
parture of his command, comprising the
Olympia, Baltimore and Cleveland from
Smyrna for Gibraltar. This action is
taken on the instruction from Minister
Leishman at Constantinople that the
squadron's presence is no longer neces-