Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-06-17
CHESTER IS Baked
Turkish Parliament Fails to
Approve His Concession.
GERMANY'S HAND IS SEEN
Despite Disavowal, Threat of Am
bassador Prevailed.
TERRITORY IS A RICH ONE
Proposed Railroad Would Have
Opened Up Vast Mineral Re-
sources in Asia Minor.
BY WILLIAM r. RTJS

b1 WILLIAM r.. " RIlS.
Special Correspondence Of The Star and the
Chicago cordHerald.
CHICAGO, June is, 1911.
The Turkish parliament has declined to
approve a concession granted by the
Turkish ministry to Admiral Chester Of
the United States Navy and his asso-
ciates, organized as the Ottoman-Ameri-
can Development Company of New York
City. This concession was of an unusual
character. 1t authorized the construction
of about o.OGO miles OF railway in Asia
Minor, Anatolia, Armenia. Kurdistan and
Mesopotamia, upon lines generally de-
scribed. without subsiry or guaranty Of in
terest or any other financial aid or credit
from the government. The company had
an option for two years whether II would
construct all or any portion of the rail-
ways proposed, an in the event that the
concession was accepted, il was to have
all minerals, timber, oil. stone Quarries,
coal and natural resources of whatsoever
kind which il might find upon a strip of
land twenty miles wide on either side Of
its rtack. paying a certain royalty to the
government
The territory through which the rail-
ways were to run is known to be very
rich in mineral and timber resources,
leum and natural gas. 1t was proposed
by the company 70 sublet the development
of this natural wealth to auxiliary syn
dictates, and pay for the construction of
the railway from the receipts.
Had a Survey Made.
The natural resources of Asia Minor
have never been developed or even ex-
plored. but Admiral Chester had gen
eral survey made by competent engineers
and mineralogists. whose reports were
sufficiently. convincing as TO the safety of
his proposition. and In addition TO the de-
velopment of the natural resources, the
concessionaries were to have the right to
do a general mercantile business at all
points along the line of their proposed
railroads, with authority TO sublet the
privilege. That alone was an extremely
valuable concession. and could have been
sold for an enormous sum OF money.
This concession was granted to Admiral
Chester by the leaders Of the Young
Turk, party as recognition OF the serv-
ices rendered by him to them during the
revolution. He happened to be in Con-
stanttnople at the time and his advice
was freely sought by the leaders of the
revolution. The proposition was APP
proved by every official Of the govern
ment who had anything to do with such
matters, and was formally signed by
the council of state in the spring of
1910, but Count Won Bieberstein, the
German ambassador, interve'. to pre-
vent its submission to the parliament
for ratification. He contended that 1t
granted to Germans, and gave notice
that his government would oppose an
increase of Turkish customs tariff and
would take the side of Greece In a con-
troversv then going on over Cretan af-
fairs. if the parliament ratified the priv
ilegeS offered to the American syndicate
the German government in
formed the American ambassador at
Berlin that Won Bieberstein had inter-
vened without instructions, HIS threat
was never withdrawn and he has been
the most effective influence in preventing
ratification. The Germans now control
all the transportation lines in Asiatic
Turkey and have plans for extending
described in Admiral Chester's conces-
sion. 1t was perfectly natural, therefore,
that the German ambassador should re-
sist the ratification of the concession. al
though his government still claims that
he was never authorized to do so.
Looking for an Excuse.
In looking about for an excuse for not
submitting the Chester concession for
ratification. the Turkish minister of for
eign affairs notified the American am
eminent must first yield the position that
1t has always held concerning the juris-
diction of the Turkish courts. Under
the provisions of the treaty of 1890 we
have always insisted that Americans &C
cused OF crime in Turkey should be tried
before an American consul, according to
the laws Of the United States. But as
an inducement to secure the ratification
of the Chester concession Secretary
Knox agreed to sign diplomatic note.
which has the force Of a treaty, but need
not be ratified by the United States Sem
ate, to the effect that the government
of the United States will interpret the
article in the treaty of 1870 SO that Ameri-
cans accused of crime in Turkey may
hereafter be tried before the Turkish
courts in the presence of their consul
and that the Judgment OF the court snail
lie subject to his approval.
This recognition of the Turkish courts
is matter OF great qualification to that
government, and. although these is diff
ference of opinion on the subject. Sec
retary Knox believes that the interest
OF American citizens will not suffer. 1t
involves a great deal OF risk. however.
and particularly to individuals in the in
terror where American consuls are few
and far between. The Turkish govern
ment insisted, however that the con-
struction of the railway would bring In
to that country large numbers OF unde-
sirable citizens who must be made sub
was conceded. but I believe the diplo-
matte note containing the new interpre-
tation of the treaty has never been
signed. Its signature was a condition OF
the ratification Of the Chester conces-
sion. and now that the Turkish pariia-
ment has adjourned without approving
that project the diplomatic note will
probably remain UNSIGNED.
A gentleman residing in Constantinople,
who is thoroughly familiar with the sit
uation and progress of events there,
writes me as follows under date OF May
- concerning the matter.
Viewed as Opening Wedge.
The Chester project is being discussed
in parliament, and as long as there is
life there Isl hope, l believe that Its sue
cess would prove an opening wedge for
American investments and trade in this
country. and incidentally help US to
realize our schemes for direct steamship
and banking facilities. the absence Of
which is the most serious handicap
TO American commerce with Turkey. The
public works committee of the cham
Der OF deputies brought in a favorable
report on the Chester concession, al
though the chief Of the railroad bureau
OF the ministry of public works did his
best to prevent II. Nobody ventures to
predict what the outcome will be In the
parliament We shall know this week.
Ill rvyfI N