Evening star., 1909-03-09
MUhJ| BEY TO FIGHT
BIames Personal Enemies for
Falsely Accusing Him.
WILL DEFEND HIS ACTS
Proposes, He Says, to Retaliate by
Appeal to American Courts.
FAIR HEARING BY EMBASSY
FAIR HEARING BY EMBASSY
Ambassador Inclined to Regard
Charges as Plot to Injure Consul.
Untrue Rumors Circulated.

Turkish consul general at New York. de-
nounces the charges OF graft made
against him in the petition for his re-
moval filed by several thousand Ottoman
subjects with the Turkish ambassador at
Washington as fabrications.
He says he courts a full investigation
OF his Office here by the Turkish authori-
ties at the capital
THE petition is inspired by a few enc
mics Of mine, five or six, whose names
know. There is not q word Of truth in
it," said Munji Bey. Il shall give the
names of my enemies to the ambassador
or his representative when I hear from
him and request that he take some action
against them.
III the ambassador does not see fit to
take action I shall put the whole matter
in the hands Of our local authorities in
Constantinople.
I'VE do not overcharge our subjects for
their passports. as alleged in the petit
ton. There is no way for any one to
graft by taking advantage of the ignorant
Greeks, Syrians or Armenians in this Of
fice."
The consul general said IT was the first
time in his twelve years service in Of
nee that any charges had been directed
against him.
Il am ready for full investigation of
r1y Office in regard to this matter and
shall insist that it be made he said.
Charges Made Yesterday.
Discomfort. which has been smoldering
in the Turkish colony, for months over
Munji Bey and the affairs of his office.
found a vent yesterday through the pub
lication Of the official charges which
have been filed against him with the
Turkish ambassador.
Munji Bey is an Ottoman Moham-
medan and is said to have had strong
backing in Constantinople. although since
believe that he can be attacked with
moro chance Of success He was once
known as Young Turk" but later
his views were on the side of the old
order. although recently he has professed
interest in the constitutional rule
He was attacked a few weeks ago by
one OF the Syrian papers on the ground
that he had written letter to the COM
missioner Of immigration telling that Of
fetal to admit no more Syrians. as they
were undesirable citizens. He obtained
from Commissioner watchorn a note to
the effect that no such communication
had ever been received.
Then the Union and Progress Society
Of Syrians. which had made a crusade
against him, withdrew their denuncia-
tions. The Union Syrian Society has
kept up the fight against him. alleging
that he has gone beyond the prerogatives
Of the constitution Some Of the local
Armenians and Syrians complain. too,
because Munji Bey lives at the Waldorf
Astoria.
Munji Bey Will Retaliate.
Pedro Caram. Of GS West street, a
Syrian merchant, complained Of the fees
charged by Munji Bey year ago and is
still determined in his opposition.
Munji Bey was seen at the Turkish con-
sulate, at 20 Pearl street, and the dis
patches from Washington shown to him.
II do not care, for my life is an open
book" said he. 1.-The complaint has been
filed with the Turkish ambassador. l OBJ
serve. My commission Is direct from
Constantinople. and l shall at once write
my defense.
Later l shall make known the names
OF those who have SO wantonly attacked
me. / have never charged more than the
regular tariff as prescribed by law. and
there 1t Is on the walls of my office. All
my fees are legal. l shall state my case
in full. and then shall take action in the
criminal courts here. II need be, against
those who have libeled and slandered me.
Yes. I live at the Waldorf-Astoria. My
salary permits of it. In addition to that
/ have some business of my own, such as
selling rugs and silks and such wares on
Munji Bey is about forty years OF age.
He was several years ago Turkish consul
here and was subsequently sent to posts
in Paris and in Geneva. He was once
acting ambassador, and for the last four
teen months has been the Turkish consul
general In this city.
The business of the consulate here is
large in the course of the year and con-
sists in signing passports. witnessing
powers OF attorney and similar docu-
ments and attending to various CONNER
cial matters. The salary is about s., 900
a year.
Of Consular Service.
The charges made against Munji Bey
will probably hasten plans of the Turkish
government for complete reorganization
Of It's consular service.
The Young Turks" upon assuming
control OF the government. proposed to
make a special effort to increase trade
with the United States by means of more
active work by consuls in this country.
The plan of the organization will be
largely modelled after that of the United
States, which will involve division of
this country into consular districts. with
reports of consuls to the head Of each dis
trio who, in turn. probably will report
to the ambassador.
These reports will be for the purpose
OF directing Turkish merchants to favor
able markets here. at the same time
lean goods.
The charOoS opoipSt Nfuoi; D,x, ,ro ,.o