Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-11
OTTOMAN LAWS
PROTECT MISSIONS
Ambassador Explains to Mr..
BRYAN That American In
stitutions Are Unaffected.
U. S. CITIZENS AMENABLE
TO TURKISH COURTS
Porte Is Asserting 1ts Unrestricted
Sovereignty for First Time Since
Eleventh Century.

Fear for tho safety of American mis-
sionaries and other citisens In Turkey.
occasioned by notification served yes
terday by the Turkish ambassador OF,
the United States and the nations Of
the world that the Ottoman empire had
abrogated the conventions, treaties and
privileges originating as early as the
eleventh century. to take effect Oc-
tober l. was allayed by official an
nouncement at the State Department.
to-day.
American missions and schools are
to be protected by Ottoman law. al
though American citizens would lose
their ex-territorial rights in civil and
judicial cases. This was made clear
to Secretary Bryan today by a. Rustem
Bey. the Turkish ambassador; who ,exs
planned in detail at the State. Depart
ment the meaning Of Turkeys abroga-
ton Of all conventions and "capituIa-
tons" restricting the sovereign OF
tho porte. ~
The capitulation which had been abro-
gated, he said. would not effect the exist
ence of the missions which had been
Ambassador said he would issue a state
mont later interpreting Turkeys action
AS Turkeys notification was Of a gem
eral character. without specifying par
ticular treaties. officials had not been
sure Of the extent of the action.
Turkeys New Status.
They were inclined to believe, however.
that as the special privileges granted by
Turkey were woven in most all Of her
agreements. its effect would be to break
of Turkeys treaty relations with the en-
tire world. That view was confirmed
in Turkeys notification that the Otto
man government had adopted 'as the
basis OF its relations with other powers
the general principles OF international
law"
So far as diplomats OF the allies
would venture an opinion. the predtc-
ton was made that Great Britain.
France and Russia probably would not
make any representations on the sub
ject of Turkey at this time. leaving
it until the close OF the war.
Effect of Action.
Officials here believe the effect Of
Turkeys action will be as follows:
Americans and other foreigners who
have had the right OF trial in civil
and criminal cases by their own dip
lomatic and consular courts now will
Turkey will be able to increase or
reduce her customs duties without the
consent of the powers.
Americans and other foreigners who
hitherto have ben exempt from the
payment Of professional taxes can be
required to pay the same.
The religious freedom of Christians will
not be interfered with except that the
tax which Mohammedan rule imposes on
all who are not Of that faith may now
have to be paid by Christians, II the
Turkish government 80 desires.
American Mission Status.
Although the status Of American mis-
sions and schools are not changed by
Turkeys action. there was much discus
sion here as to the possible effect on the
missionaries, who had come to look on ex-
traterr.torial rights as their chief fortifi-
cation against religious oppression. While
the right OF the missions to exist ia not
threatened. officials would not say just
how far their security might be In
jeopardy. especially in view OF possible
outbreak of hostiIities.
Many Americans. especially the Jews
In Palestine. who have inherited rights
Of American citizenship by living in
Communities Of turkey w. viii not be- able
to bestow the rights Of American citi-
zenship to their children born in those
communities. There are said to be
about 10000 Americans in Turkish ter
ritory.
The action Of Turkey will not affect
Egypt, according to officials, as that
country since 1873 has enjoyed the
right to make separate commercial trea-
ties with foreign governments.
Turkeys Act Discussed Here.
Diplomats here were discussing today
fha nossfh1e efYecfs NJ Turkev'o octto, In
taking away from foreign subjects the
extra-territorial rights accorded them
for years. and under which they have
or other officials in both civil and crimi-
nal cases.
The 0esire Of Turkey to show her in
dependence and shake of any DONNA
ton by the powerful nations Is thought
to have been the impelling motives for
this latest action. ..
1t Is believed In some quarters, more
ration of war on Great Britain although
A. Rustem Bey, Turkish ambassador
here. in announcing the step taken by
his government. did not hint at anything
the past no such radical move would
have been made without the consent OF
Great Britain. ..,-.....
Representatives of the allied nations
are said to have limited thaf turkey
decision was reached only after delibera-
tons between the porte and the German
foreign office. 1t even has been suggest
ed that Germany encouraged the aee,eh
The Turkish ambassador made this
announcement:
"A cablegram to the Turkish amsasss-
dor from the Ottoman minister Of fer
eign affa.rs states that by imperial trade
the Ottoman government has abrosated.
as from the LIST Of October next. the con
yentions known rs the capitulations re-
stricting the sovereignty of Turkey In
her relations with certain powers.
All Privileges Revoked.
"All privileges and immunities aces
sorry to these conventions, .or.r Issuing
eherefrom are equally repealed. Having
thus freed Itself from what was an In
tolerable obstacle to all progress in the
empire, the imperial government had
adopted al the basis of its relations with
the other powers In general principles Of