The sun., 1891-09-03

1t is not easy to reconcile the reports that
have lately been received from Constanti-
nople regarding the relations OF the Porte to
Russia. According to one statement, the
Turkish Government has warned the pro-
Russian party, now dominant in Servia, to
assume a moro friendly attitude toward
Bulgaria. Such an admo milton would indi-
cate that the Sultan is inclined to side with
the Cars enemies. The opposite deduc-
tion would be drawn from another state
ment, seemingly credited by the London
newspapers, that the Porte has permitted
vessels in the Russian naval service to pass
tho Dardanelles. 1t is true that the vessels
to which this concession has been made may
technically be distinguished from those
regularly belonging to the Russian navy.
They are the so-ca!lcd "vounteer" ships.
built and armed by private citizens and pre-
sented to the C.ar at the time when war with
England seemed likely to grow out OF the
Penjdeh incident. They would undoubtedly
be used as cruisers in time OF war, and at
present they are employed rs transports,
ono OF those suffered to pass the Dardanclcs
being actually engaged in conveying soldiers
from one Russian port to another. Tho diff
ference between such vessels and regular
war ships Is too shadowy to give much COM
fort to the powers that desire to avert the
coSperation OF tho Russian and French
fleets in the Mediterranean.
II tho privilege said to have been yielded
to tho Car Is denied to the armed vessels Of
other European powers, 1t is obvious that
Turkey will sink into IL mere dependency OF
Russia. BY placing his capital at the mercy
of a Russian fleet, while shutting out the
r, chi inc hut pnipht TrD nnt
him, the Sultan would virtually make HIM
self vassal OF tho northern autocrat. Nor
would his position bo much moro indepen-
dent or secure. should he throw open the Dar-
danelles to all the navies OF the world.
Neither England nor the triple alliance could
effeotually protect him except by keeping
q large number Of ironcluds permanently
stationed In the narrow waters that divide
Europe from Asia. The expense of maintain
Ing such naval garrison would be very
great, and none OF tho central or western
powers would be likely to support IL except
In return for CONCESSIONS which would de-
grade the Sultan in the eyes of his own peo-
ple. From the moment the Dardancllcs arc
opened, Turkey having allowed her own
navy to collapse and being too poor to create
now one, must choose between subordina-
tion to Russia and an equally invidious do
psndence on some other Christian power.
We can now SOC that Mr.. GLADSTONE was
mistaken when he declared, In 1870. that
England was In nowlse Interested In tho
Franco German wer. The Car, ALEXANDER
H., seized tho opportunity afforded by that
contest to announce that he should treat as
waste paper that part OF the treaty OF Paris
which forbade him to build or keep ships OF
war in the Black Sea- During the twenty
ono years that have since elapsed, liussa
has organized in tho Black Sea much
stronger naval armament than she
ever possessed before. and Is now In
Q position. were her war ships permitted
TO pass through the Bosporus and Darda-
nsilsA to figure among the Mediterranean