New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-09-11
Abdul Hamid's FaVofite
Son To Be Proclaimed
Prince of Albania.
ACTION MAY CAUSE
ITALIAN REPRISALS
Mohammed's Appointment Is
Open Violation of Confer
ence of London.

Washington, Sept lo.-Turkcy for
mally has notified the United States
and the nations Of the world that she
has abrogated the series Of conven-
tions, treaties and privileges, originst-
ing as early as the eleventh century,
whereby foreigners in the Ottoman
Empire have been exempt from local
jurisdiction in civil and criminal
cases. Foreign subjects no longer will
enjoy what is known a.!tALa' fitorial
rights. through which they have been
tried by their own judges, diplomatic
representatives or consuls.
This practice, abolished By Japan
several years ago through the ncgotia-
ton of new treaties, Turkey has re-
moved b. a stroke of the pen. Her
purpose, it is declared, is to assert her
independence and free herself from the
domination Of the great powers.
Uuou the rights revoked has rested
the legal status OF American mission
aries in Turkey, permitting them to
maintain churches, hospitals and
schools in religious freedom. Admin
istraticn officials declined tonight to
discuss the effect Of the action on
American missions.
"The removal Of every kind OF privi-
leces enjoyed by the powers in excess
of Tnat the general principles of in
tcrustional law allow is the meaning
of this step" A. Rustem Bey, Turkish
Ambassador TO the United States, de
clared tonight. This var is Turkey 8
opportunity
No intimation was given By the am
bassador as TO whether the action fore
sbaGowed war on Great Britain, with
out whose consent i'm tho past no such
radical action would have been at
tempted.
Among diplomats Of the allied pow
crs. however. the belief prevailed to-
night that Turkey was appealing 20
the nationalist sentiment OF her peo-
pie and was ready to seize upon any
difficulties that might arise with Great
Britain Ar a preteXt to declare war.
The Turkish Ambassador made
known the action Of his government
i'm public announcement after 1t had
been communicated to Secretary Bry-
an BY him to-day as formal note
from the Ottoman Empire.
"In the economic field" he said, "the
Turkish government cannot fix or
change the customs duties without the
consent of the foreign powers. Nor
can the Turkish government impose
professional tax on foreigners, be-
cause the powers have not consented
and q great discrimination has been
made against the natives.
ain the administration of justice the
Ottoman government is not free TO
deal with culprits Of foreign nations
in the matter of certain trials without
Intervention Of the representatives OF
the foreign ambassador or minister OF
the country to which the culprit owed
allegiance. In certain cases foreign
crs cannot be imprisoned in the native
prisons, but only in those OF the con-
sulates.
"These restrictions weigh heavily on
the Ottoman state, both materially and
morally materially by depriving 1t OF
the financial resources which other
countries are free to create according
TO their discretion. In that way TurEey
has been prevented from introducing
those reforms which it has been ae-
cused of delaying by those very powers
Who. owing to the enjoyment of those
privileges, stood in the way of pro-
gressiye action on the part of the gov,
ernment: morally, it has deprived
Turkey Of that confidence which iuli
independence gives TO a state. Dc,
rived of that independence. the moral
fbre of the nation relaxed
In diplomatic circles the announce,
mcnt Of Turkeys attitude attracted
The widest attention. The allies are
known to expect at any moment aeeI
iaration of war by Turkey IN oehalI
of Germany. Comment was heard
among diplomats Of the allied powers powers
ss TO possible deliberations between
tbe German Foreign Office and the
Pr rte before the decision to a6rogate
the treaties was reached by turkey
There was suggestion also that Ger'
NAM had encouraged the move u.-
S, far At diplomats OF the allleS
vo, H. venture an opinion, the pre-
diction was made that Great Britain.
France and Russia probably would nS'
mako any representations on the sup,
lee: to Turkey at this time, leaving II
until tie close Of the Har'