The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-11-03
FIRST EDITIO N
II u R EN H ".
The Dardanelles Closed Against
Ships'Of- -War-TrOubles Result
ing TherefrOm-Oficial
Notice to the Ame-
rican Minister.

correspondence from Coustsntinople, on the
9Th instant, Ltains the tollowng:-
As q consequence of the visit of the Russian
fIigate Alexander NunSky, closely tO'lO we'd by
she Uniled States irigate Franklin, and perhaps
Al q broad hint to Congressman not to intro
duce any more reeolutIons respecting the free
passage oil The Turkish straits 10 foreign vessels,
the Porte has issued a circular to all the leSa-
tiUpe announcing the decision OF the Sultan that
in iuture The straits shall remain closed 10 ali
foreign men.ot-War-w while peace continues IN
TUrkeY-eXcepung only those which have on
board sovereigns or chiefs of independent States
No all us on is mi ade in the circular to the treaty
OF UuBlar Skeessi, OF 25th June, 1888, where ~
IN Gaze of need, to be estlma ed by the RUSSIAN
Ambassador, Turkey bound herself TO close the
Dardant lies against the French and English
fleets, while the Bosphorus was 10 be LETT open
for the free entrance OF the Russians, thus
becoming the ally Of the Gar, offensive AMI
defensive.
Great political changes having taken place in
the meanume, shortly alter the death OF Sultan
MahmOud, another treaty was signed at London
In lS4l, by which the Porte engaged TO keep
both straits closed TO all foreign ships OF war
while at Leace with other Powers. What was
the consequence? At the moment OF the break
ing out OF the Crmean war the Black Sea, its
ports and fortidcations were sealed books to the
Hayies OF Europe. The defensts and resources
OF the great military port OF the Crlmea were
enveloped in mys'ery in consequence of the
against their ships of war visiting Cerstautnople
and the Black Sea. Were the nayies OF the
world freely permitted TO cruise IN and visit the
ports OF the Black Sea, every Suspicious Drepara.
tion made in Russian porls TOR acts of hostility
against Tnrkey would be Immediately detected
by the pTactised eye OF the naval officer, an1
reported to his government. Previous to the
tine of steamers and lelegraphs, Russia might
have made an attack on, aud perhaps have oc-
cupied Cons antinople for weeks before 1t would
have been known in Paris or London but at
the present day Rus ia cannot set an intrigue
ahoat that is not Immediately published all over
EuTODe. The business OF the caDltal would
doubtless profit largely we're these restrictions
removed, as the fleets which would be ire
Quently visiting here would leave q large sum
of money annually which is now exoendei
elsewhere, principally in Greek ports, PIr@us
and Syria. In tact, [ see no gain, but positive
loss, 10 the Turkish government as conse-
between any foreign Po ~er-the United States,
for examp'e-and Russia, and an American
heet were sent 10 attack the Black Sea ports,
the Turkish government would ind itself III an
pass it would be considered an act of war
against Russia. If it refused, the monitors
would attempt the passage in defiance OF terri
torial authority, and the Sultan would thus
become an ally of bis natural enemy and rival.
The Franklin is the second irigate we have had
here since the Crimean war. The o her was the
Wabash, Captain Barron, in November. 1858,
which was visited by Sultan Abdul Medjid.
The following is q COPY of the official letter
addressed by the Turkish Minister of Foreign
AfaiIs to the resident Minister of the United
STATES III ItSp'C'luS tue CtSuld-
lions of the passage OF the Dardanelles:-
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, Sept. 25 1868.
Hon. f. JOY Morris, Resident American Minis
ter, Constantinople. Sr:-The prohibition of
the passage of the straits Of the Dardaneiles
and Bosphorus to foreign shps-af- war is a regu-
lation which the Imperial Government ha', in
the exercise Of territorial right, applied from
the earliest times.
The Sublime Porte, however discover that
any abatement in the strict application of the
sald priLcIple relating to ships. ofwar apart
from the exceptions cited in articles and of
the Convention of March 30 1856, will not be
compatible with the declaration contained in
the aio esaid treaty of Paris.
IL has, therefore, been absolutely decided
that Ia future no exceptions will be made, other
than in the case OF ships on board of which
there NAV be sovereign or the chief of an inde.
pendent State.
The preceding decision, having been sane
TONED by his Imperial Majesty, the Sultan, 1
have the honor TO beg you to bring it to the
notice OF the United States Government.
SAFUEr.