Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-18
BIG WORK HELD UP
German Ambassador Puts
Stop to Turkish improvements
AMERICAN INTERESTS HURT
Chicago Firm Was to Furnish Tele-
phones for Constantinople.
DELAY IN RAILWAY PROJECT
Building of 1000 Miles of Road in
Asia Minor Cannot Be Started
Political Considerations.
AMERICAN INTERESTS HURT
DELAY IN RAILWAY PROJECT
RY WILLIAM r. CT RTIS.

RY WILLIAM r. CURTIS.
Special Corrcsrondenss OF The Star and the
Chicago Record Herald.
CONSTANTINOPLE, September is. 1910.
Although American promoters and con-
tractors are seldom embarrassed in their
dealings with Turkey by our own politi-
cal complications. they are often placed
1T a disadvantage by the intrigues and
interferences of the diplomatic represen-
tatives of European powers here At pres
ent two valuable concessions, which have
already been granted to American bid
ders in competition with European rivals.
have been held up by the intervention of
Count Won Beiberstein, the German am
bassador, in the interest of lis fellow
countrymen who failed to obtain the con-
tracts because Americans submitted lower
and better bids.
His government has repudiated his pro-
tests, and has assured DR.. Hill, the
American amba ssador at Berlin, that he
was acting outside OF his instructions
and entirely upon his own responsibility.
At the same time 1 have not heard that
he has been reprimanded for his off1cious-
ness. and he certainly has not withdrawn
his objectionss.
The concession granted to the Ottoman
American Development Company of New
York, for the construction of two thou
sand miles OF railroad. is in suspense,
and a contract made with the Western
Electric Company of Chicago for a tele-
phone system in COnstantinople is held
up because of his representations.
Seeking a Big Loan.
The situation is complicated by an
empty treasury, and. although the reve-
nues have been considerably increased
since the new regime and various econ
omies have been introduced by the pres
ent administration, it is absolutely neces-
sary for tho Turkish government TO OBJ
tain q loan in order to fulfill its pledges
TO the people and TO carry out the plans
for internal improvements voted by the
parliament For political reasons. which
it is not necessary 10 explain. the treas
ury officials have thus far been unable
to secure the money they need. Haiku
Pasha- the grand vizier. has been werk-
ing in Austria and Germany: Djarid
Pasha, minister of finance. has been APP
pealing to the bankers of France. and
the Turkish amba ssador to England has
been In negotiation with the bankers of
London. but they have failed thus far
TO induce any one to accept their bonds
for 500, 100000, which is the amount need
ed, on any terms Whatsoever. There are
several reasons. but the chief one is
political.
Ihere is desperate struggle on the
part Of Germany to retain the dominating
influence which the kaiser has exercised
for many years in Turkish affairs. and
France and England decline to assist the
Turks 50 long as there is any possibility
of such an ENHANCEMENT. The German
bankers, under the influence of their
government. are holding back until they
are certain of the future, and thus poor
Turkey is the victim of the jealousy of
the great powers. In the meantime the
German ambassador at Constantinopie is
bullying the foreign office and making
Mysterious threats. which the minister
Of foreign affairs at Berlin assures DIR.
Hill are made entirely on his own re-
sponsibilfty.
More than a year ago the Turkish gov
eminent made known to all the world its
intention to furnish COnstantinople and
other cities with electric lights and street
cars. telephones and other modern i'm
pYovements. which the late sultan for
superstitiolss whimS. would never allow
II also announced comprehensive plan
for railway construction and other ira Ms
portation facilities in Asia Minor and
other parts of the empire.