The Washington herald., 1910-05-01

convinced that Americans have no polIti-
cal aspirations, such as the great powers
Of Europe This IS demonstrated by the
fact that the Turkish government often
awards contracts and gives out Conces-
sions 10 subjects OF insignificant Euro
pean states, such as Belgium Switzer-
land. and the like. rather than 10 the
British and 10 other big countries. who
are confesSedly rivals in their political as
piraucns, and, therefore. il Is not 10 the
interests OF Turkey 10 entangle itself
more than necessary.
II is doubtful If the Turkish government
has ever had so clear an insight about
America as they have at present.
which. in part. is due 10 the interest that
the American press has lately shown to-
ward Turkey and present comment made
therein. particularly in the World. all Of
which have been reported to the imperial
government
Zia Pasha. who is still on your side OF
the waters, as well as other young Turk
ish diplomats who have been sent to
America recently. in his reports strongly
urges his government TO regard Amer
nation, 20 which only able business. men
should be sent as diplomats and consuIs
and have succeeded in convincing those
IN authority that the Turks NAV well af-
ford 20 make useful friends Of the Amer
lean commonwealth, which has no politl-
cal designs on Turkey.
This course, il Is now understood. will
be followed by the ministry Of Sultan
Mehamed V, and is borne out by the in
formation which I learn from trust
worthy sources. that in the reorganiza-
ton OF its military and the building up
OF navy Turkey stands ready to give
Americans the preference in awarding
contracts and concessions which amounts
10 many millions. II only the Americans
would come forward and make fair bids
and deliver the goods, but which unfor-
tunately for the Americans they will not
be able 70 DO at present. hampered chiefly
by the lack OF an American bank in Tur-
key to stand behind them: other foreign
ers being backed by their own national
banking Institutions
The representative OF a big American
contracting firm informed your corre-
spondent recently that he went around
to several banking firms in Constantine
pie to hack him in contract he was
about 10 conclude with the government.
but the interest asked Of him would de-
priYe him of the benefit which these
banks preferred their own countrymen 10
make, and therefore stand ready to make
easier terms with them than they should
with Americans.
The only remedy for this evil is to IN
duce private banking firm, such as that
OF Morgan. to establish a branch in Con-
stanunopls first as a patriotic under
taking, though it will surely become a
paying institution National banks in
America being by law forbidden the eStab-
hshment of branch banks. il now rests
with Independent houses 10 consider the
subject.
The recent organization OF a Greek
steamship company to ply between New
York and this city direct in only twelve
days time no doubt removes a big OBJ
stacle from the path of those who would
Invade the great market OF newly borne
Turkey. OF which a goodly share should
go to America, which has spent millions
in Turkey In philanthroplc and educa-
t!onal enterprises, when have been and
now are blessings to Turkey.