The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-09-16
WAR TALK IN EUROPE. E.
Italy. Though Bankrupt, Is
Strengthening Her Navy.
MlTYLENE WAS NOT SEIZED,
More Than Two Thousand Persons
Drowned i'm the Spanish Floods.
The Survivors Are Destitute and starv-
ing-Heartrending Scenes Among tho
wretched Peasantry-Russia Taking

ROME, Sept. 15.--In view of the threaten
ing aspect of the political situation, the
minister of finance has proposed an in
crease of taxation from 15. .000, 900 to q, ,000-
900 lire. The government is privately urg-
ing the speedy completion of the men-of-
war now being built, and has ordered
others to Spezzia and Naples to complete
their ornaments. At the same time the
merchantmen, classed as cruisers, have
been ordered to sail to given points imme-
diately to ship guns and ammunition.
The Esercito contains an article, sup
posed to have been inspired by the minis
ter of war, which predicts an outbreak of
war the coming winter, and urges the gov
ernment to take active steps to prepare the
army and navy for the fray. The article
is supposed to be the prelude to demaud
for a military credit.
LONDON, Sept. l5.-While it is now adj
mitted that the British forces have not
seized the island of Mitylene, news to the
effect that the island had been occupied
was received from Mitylene and elsewhere
by various embassies at Constantinople
and other capitals. The new Turkish min,
lister of the interior telegraphed to the
British ambassador at Constantinople,
Sir William White, asking the latter
to explain the reports of the landing
of British force on Turkish territory.
Sir William, in reply, said he was entirely
ignorant of the whole affair, but it was
probable that the crews of some British
war vessel might have landed on the
island of Mitylene in the course of regular
boat drills and landing exercises. The
British ambassador assured the Turkish
minister that no Notifications had been
constructed on the island by British
troops. This view of the case was con-
firmed by dispatches received during the
night, which stated that force had
landed from British warships, but had
re-embarked, and that the men-of-war had
left the island of Mitylene for Marmorilo.
The affair has caused great excitement in
diplomatic circles for short time. and it
is still asserted that the same maneuvers
had at least the purpose of showing the
sultan and his advisors how easily Eng
land could change her boat drills and
landing exercises of the island of Mitylene
into dangerous realty.
1t is now stated that the Mitylene scare
arose from the fact that party of British
naval officers, on Saturday last, picnIcked
on desert islet off Cape Sigri, and that
they re-embarked the same evening on
board their vessel and sailed away ON SUM-
day
The Times takes a skeptical view of the
Sigri rumors, and declares misdoubtful a
policy which made all the arrangements
upon a basis which would have to be aban-
doned in crisis. In great struggle, says
the Times, it would be our policy to close
the Suez canal and make our route to In
dia by the Cape of Good Hope.
The News and Chronicle both saw the
reported Occupany of Sigri is without
foundation, and that, if true, the seizure
would be nothing less than bellicose act.
of which Lord Salisbury could hardly have
been capable since he escaped the Beacons-
field influences. They hope the govern
ment will, without delay, inform the pub
lie of the real facts.
The Standards Odessa correspondent
says that during the coming five weeks,
10000 troops will be conveyed by the Rus
sian volunteer fleet from Batoum to Sebas-
topol and Odessa.
PARIS, Sept 15.-It is stated that the
Credit Foncier has taken up the new Rus
sian loan.
K1EFF, Sept. 15.-An Austrian spy
named Krasnaki has been sentenced to be
transported to Siberia, and those Russians
who were his accomplices have been each
sentenced to eight years servitude.