The Washington herald., 1914-09-17

with the powers and excellent means OF
uniting Moslems 20 fight under his ban
ner in defense OF the right of the Otto
man empire to regulate its own affairs:
Even before the outbreak Of the Euro
pean wars. conditions in the Turkish en-
pire had been causing much uneasiness
at the State Department. Reports re-
ceived from consuls in Turkey showed
that the anti-foreign propaganda carried
on in the Sultan's domlnions ever since
the last Balkan war has been having ITS
effect.
The whole empire is declared to be in a
state Of great unrest with the religious
fervor Of the inhabitants excited to a
point which makes most uncertain the
security OF the life and property OF Chris
tians, both native and foreign.
A hint OF the unsettled conditions In
the Turkish empire was received yester-
day, when cablegrams from two United
States consuls situated in Turkey-in-
Asia were received, bearing August dates.
| While the contents Of the messages gave
no cause for particular concern, the fact
that they have been held up en- route
| for nearly a month was taken as indi-
cation that conditions in Turkey are far
| from normal.
Missionaries have for some time been
Of the opinion that American warships
should be sent to Turkish waters for the
protection OF Americans. but no action
has been taken in that direction. Secre-
taTy Daniels announced yesterday that
the cruiser Tennessee. which is carrying
gold for Americans in Turkey, has left
BrindisI Italy. for Turkish waters, and
that she will sail for home when she has
delivered her gold to the United States
station ship Scorpion for transportation
i to Constantinople.
Agreements EssentIal to Safety.
The State Department has always re-
garded the provisions OF the capitula-
tons, or agreements with Turkey as alb
solutely essential to the continued safety
of the life and property of Americans in
the Turkish Empire, most OF whom are
associated with the missionary schools,
colleges, and hospitals. BY these agree
ments foreigners are Permitted to prac-
tice and teach the principles of their
religions are exempted from the payment
| of certain special taxes, and, probably
most important of ALL are allowed the
extra-territorial privilege Of consular
courts; that is. Americans and other for
eigners are not taken before Turkish
courts when involved in criminal charges
/ or litigation. but appear only before the
extra-territorial courts OF the consuls.
Might JeopardIIe Foreigners.
There is in Turkey no system OF law
corresponding to the meaning Of the term
| in Europe or the Western Hemisphere.
| Consequently, Great Britain and the
United States, and other powers also,
have repeatedly refused TO grant Turkey s
request for the revocation OF the capitu-
lations until Turkey could offer COM
petent judicial system TO take the place
of the extra-territorial privilege. This
| Turkey has never done, and in the pres
| ent instance did not submit TO the powers
any guarantees whatsoever as to what
would be the fate Of foreigners in Turkey
under the proposed new era of things.
II is felt here that the life and property
of every foreigner would be greatly
| jeopardiZed II Turkey were permitted TO
carry out her intentions.
One OF the chief reasons why Turkey
desired to abolish the capitulations was
the fact that her export and import
| tariffs are regulated by them Without
the consent OF all the powers with whom
| she has made these treaties. Turkey can
not change her tariff. and she has for
some time felt that she must have more
revenue. II Is understood here that the
| Sultan planned TO announce on October
!, the day the revocation is planned tC
| take effect. a new tariff schedule which
| will contain rates greatly in excess OF
] Fru