THE TURKISH INDEMNITIES

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4301, 9 March 1901, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE TURKISH INDEMNITIES

WHY THE OTTOAIAN GOVERNMENT " WILD NOT PAY.

With reference to the Note addressed to the Porto recently by the British Embassy drawing attention to the nonsettlement of the claims for compensation for the losses sustained by British subjects ."during the Armenian massacres of 1895-96, it should he added that the reminder was principally instigated in consequence of a Note from the Porte pointing out that a certain sum ot money was still due by the British Post Office to the Turkish Postal Administration for the conveyance of mads. Ims sum of money, however, it will be remembered, was deducted at the time (some two years ago) by the Embassy from tlm balance due to the Turkish Postal Administration as compensation to the families of two Armenian employees of the British Post Office, who were killed during the massacres, one of them being done to death on the very threshold of the Post Office In the British Note reference was made to the above case, and the Porte was again reminded of the other outstanding claims 1 .

i The Embassy has secured the payment by the Ottoman Government of £IOO as indemnity to the Dragoman of the British Vice-Consulate at Van who was wounded during the attack by Kurds on the Vice-Consul’s party in August last, and incapacitated from duty during one month. _ , It is reported that the French Embassy 'will shortly pay the balance ofriho claims to French subjects for losse*ustained during the Armenian disturbances, while as regards the American claim, it is generally understood that the amount (about 90,000 dollars) will be included in the first instalment payable to Messrs Cramp on account of the cruiser the Turkish Government is order- , ing of that firm.

I A statement telegraphed from Washj ington to the effect that the action of Great Britain in urging her claims for compensation was hampering and retardi ing the American negotiations, is misleading, and does not correspond with the actual position of affairs, As stated above, the British Note was drawn up in reply to the Porte’s communication already mentioned, while the real, difficulty in obtaining the* settlement of the massacre indemnities is not, as alleged, the accumulation of European claims, but simply the Porte’s absolute and reiterated refusal to admit responsibility for the massacres. The Embassies and ( Legations interested have persistently refused to accept the Porte’s and it is- generally felt that Turkey will have to pay these claims by some means or other. r