The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-02-04
History of Turkeys Claim to Close tie
Straits Against Ships Of War.
"THE KEY OF MY HOUSE,
Attempts of Oroff and DAckworth to Cap
vture Constantinople.
UNITED STATES FRIGATES UNOPPOSED.

Turkey has always maintained that no foreign vos-
sci Of should be allowed any time pass the
Dardanees, but TO this principle Russia has mover
assented, except under circumstances when other
left open. Russia has long aspred to be'a
great naval Power and has consequently ssriven TO
reach tho coast. To the north shs has succeeded
but the Baltic, which is half the year closed by ice
does not satisfactorily FUN the required conditions
and naturally turned her cyos to the Mediterra-
mean. With difficulty she obtained possession OF tho
northern and shores OF the Black Sea- but hor
designs there have been only partly realized
only outlet from Euxnc to the Mediterranean lies
through tho Bosphorus and the Dardane Giles, which
tho Turks up TO recent period, opened and
closed according to their good pleasure. Rus
would, OF course. prefer having in her
possession the keys Of tins important passage
In many respects 1t must be disagreeable that
tho Sultan should BIO able, without employing
ship Of war; TO blockade eectually all her southern
ports. There is scarcely any nation Of any conse-
qucnce that would patiently submit TO this condition
of things and it TO relieve herself from this him
drance to proper DEVELOPMENT that Russia, after
bloody war. has exacted from the Porte the right OF
passage through the Dardaneles, and TO this
sion English governmenk objects and talks OF and
prepares for war to prevent.
DANGERS APPREnESDEp ENGLAND.
1t may be SAID that the possession of CONSTANT
nopie has been the dream Of Russian ambition from
the earliest tines and that IN hands o would
open up Tor the invasion and conquest OF British
India. "The Dardances is vital question for Rus
sa tho remark OF the able and veteran Chancel-
Tor Nosselrodc. 'Tt ia tho koy OF my house," was
tho emphatic observation of the Emperor
Alexapdcr l. Tho historian Glbbon declares
that the promontory OF Thraco, which
stretches out to the Propontis and IL placed
between Two seas, unquestionably tho most ell
gblo situation in Europe Tor founding city which
might aspire TO universal dominion. 1t Is argued on
the British side OF the question that Russia, estab-
lished at Constantnopo, would give her complete
supremacy over central ASIA All disaffection In the
Caucasus Crcassia and Georgia would be subducd for
ever, all hope OF successful resistance, all pos
sbility OF obtaining from without. would be at
once extingnished Persia, for the reason
would cease to be an Independent Kingdom. aud the
road india would then be open to Russia, with all
Asia AZ her back Further on the same side 1t is
urged that entire freedom OF tho Dardancllcs would
give to tho Gear the means OF acquiring almost
limited force, and effective blockade of the
straits cannot be maintained throughout the year. IL
would be at any time IN his power 10 throw tho whole
weight of his dsposaba force any part Of the Medi
terranean so as command that for any purpose
he might deem necessary. Under such cIrcum-
stances all security Tor the Suez Canal would
be dissipated, and Great Britain would find,
1t Is feared. that the fatal sentence
"too ate'' had moro TO be pronounced All
these reasons generally quoted, believed TO be
less visionary well the moro serious ap-
prehension OF Russian invasion oil Hindostan. The
idea OF Transferring the capital from the Ncva to
Bospborus. has been seriously entertained.
ngand desires TO main at all hazards her
featuring and commercial supremacy and thinks that
by giving the great Northern Power access through
Turkish waters the public a troublesome rival
may be creatcd and still moro by subJectng Turkey
any part OF II to the commercial policy Of Russia
OF best aud most profitable customers may DO
lost to a greater or less extent.
THE TREATIES 1909 1871.
The FIRST fortIncations armed with heavy artillery
at the Dardanelles were the middle Of tho
seventeenth century afford protection against tho
voueans, who frequently inflicted and humili-
aling doieats the Turkish squadrons, and moro
than ravaged tho coasts 10 within sight
OF Constantinopic With the decline OF the
Venetian power the doioncos wore strength
encd, and Ottoman authority
premc and undisputed in tho Black Sea there
seemed to be no good why foreign SHIPS Of
should pass through tho Straits, and until after Rus
sin conquered. lrm ioothold the shores Of the
Eaxine the right claimed by Turkey not
ously disputed. Tho first time 1t was formally
Britain tho Porte signed in January Of that
| year, IL Is provided
'As II has been at all times forbidden Or ships OF
war enter the canals OF Constantnople--viz., in
the Strait of the Dardaneies or that of tho Black
Sea-and that ancient rule OF the Ottoman En-
pre must be hereafter observed in time OF peace by
all Powers whatever, the British Court promises to
conform TO this PRINCIPLE"
During the Egyptian war, Ia 1885, tho English aud
French fleets were not permitted TO enter the OAR
oanees, ana in 1S4l the live great Powers, including
Russia, maintained the rule relative 10 the closing OF
the straits The Treaty OF Paris us36) again con-
lrmed the principle, with the following additional ar
| tioe:-- f.l..
.lnc Black Soa is tralized; its waters and it's
ports, lhrowa open TO the mercantile marine OF every
naton, arc formally and in pcrpctuity intcracted 10
the nag oil war either Of The Powers possessing its
Oh any OLDcr Power, NTH tue exception OF
vessels at the mouth vi the DANUBE"
Finally, AZ the Conference hold in London In 1871
alter the conclusion OF tho FrancoGcrman war, to ro-
consder the treaty of 1896. and at which the clause
quoted was abrogatod, tue Of all
the Powers agreed on the appended article -
'Ine principle oil the closing OF STRAITS OF tho
Dardaneies and the Bospnorus, such az u has been
established by the separate lrcaiy OF 1856, Is
tanned with power TO His Imperial Majesty The sultan
friendly aud allied Powers the event
execution OF tho stlpulations OF tho Treaty. OF Paris
| should require It,"
Tne Dardaneles are defended by very strong modern
fortiicat ions. mounting many hundreds OF guns, u
great portion OF them OF immense cabro. The works
nave Doen unsuccessfully assaied Two occasions,
and, will be SEEN two American ships o war passed
| tnrougn 10 Constanlnopo IN times ol peace without
asking or obtaining permission from tho Turkish au-
thoritioa
| ELPnISgroyK's ATTEMpr IN ITO.
Tho first attempt TO force passage through tho
Dardanellcs and capture Constantinope was made In
170 during tho reign Of Ca herinc H. Her designs
truly glgantlc being no less than 10 drive tho Mo-
hamme dams lrQm Europe. formidable fleet was
equipped In tho Baltic and sailed Tor the Mediterra-
mean. 1t was placoe under command OF Orlon, who
had with him Captain Elphinstone, Scotch man, n
naval officer vi experience, who had been placed at the
disposal OF tho Empress by tho BRUSH government
| Appearing on the coast of tho Morea, the Greeks