The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-05-08


have been extended 10 Persia. 10 Siam.
and China, and in 1851 10 Japan. where
they were. however. done. away with
about ten years ago.
/ II may incidentally be stated that the
observance Of the terms Of the capitula-
/ tiOns has always depended upon the pow
er of the state concerned to make Itself
respected and 90 enforce its rights-that
is 20 say, an Englishman, citizen Of the
United States. a Frenchman. or a Ger
man who happened 10 become involved
| In trouble at Constantinople or I'm any
other Turkish seaport or city would be
speedily turned over by the local authori-
I ties TO his consul for the district, with
view TO punishment. whereas a Belgian.
Portuguese, a Scandinavian, or a
stranger hailing from one OF the central
or South American republics might be
left 10 rot for months in some Turkish
jail without the slightest attention being
accorded 10 the protests Of the diplomatic
and consular representatives Of the pris-
oner In all countries, and nowhere more
than IN the Orient does the exercise Of
rights depend upon the power TO enforce
them
II the great powers OF the world. after
several years Of negotiations finally con-
scented 10 the abolition OF the capituIa-
lions Of Japan and brought the foreign
ers there within the jurisdiction Of the
native tribunals in 1888 il was because the
Mikado's government had adopted a civil
4 M al ..F
and enlightened character. and which.
elaborated by a commission OF the ablest
japanese and foreign jurists. had re-
ceived the approval Of the great powers.
who had likewise assured themselves OF
the reliable character OF the judiciary
and Of the thoroughly up-to-date police
and prison systems u is only fair 20
state that during the eleven years which
have elapsed since then the foreign pow
ers have never had the slightest occa-
sion 70 regret their consent 70 the abro-
cation Of the capitulations in the domin-
ions Of the Mikado.
There are no such reasons. however.
for making any concessions Of the kind
TO the sublime porte and it is TO be
hoped that the United States government
viii return a negative response to the
request which il has received from STAN
bcul. True. the Ottoman Sultan init
mates that compliance on the part Of the
authorities al Washington would be fol-
lowed by advantages in Turkey 20 Amer
lean financial, commercial, and manu-
featuring interests.
I.,s Rf.l-.--.. d. - H. t~-fsg--~-
out similar Inducements. with a similar
object in view. 70 the other great pow
ers. and II so. where does the advantage
Of the United States over the other ma
tons come i'm Moreover. committed as
is the Porte 10 all sorts Of costly re-
forms. entailing the expenditure OF i'm
mense sums of money, ii naturally fol
lows that Il Will be driven ere Lone 20
impose far heavier duties on foreign in
terests in Turkey than those which now
exist. since native sources Of revenue are
virtually exhausted by the overwhelming
present burden Of taxation. and that I'm
posts on foreign interests are about all
that is left from which the state can hope
TO derive any additional income.
American traders. too. Will be in a pO-
siuOn 10 push their business with far
greater degree Of security and also pres
tige II known 10 be under the protection
OF their own government than II left to
the tender mercies OF the Ottoman au-
thorlties. Turks entertain a considerable
amount OF respect for the foreigner
whose person and whose interests are
safeguarded by mis- own government and
wEo may be regarded as enjoying its
/ hacking, whereas they have nothing but
contempt for the foreigner who has sub
mitteG to the rule Of the Sultan.
| There are thousands upon thousands OF