Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-09-17
Lion and BEAR May FIGHT
England Stands in Russia's
Path to Constantinople.
AWAR SPECTRE ON THE HORIZON
EngIand's Seizure of the
Island of Mitylene
Creates Great CONSERVATION in Europe
Diplomatic Circles Are Greatly Agi-
tated--Flnancial Matters are Keeniy
Affected.

Dillty OF WAT III tn6 IlOJ ldI ulsbdilt lutuIt,
when the announcement was made that
Sigri. on the west coast of the Island of
Mitylene, an island belonging to Turkey,
near the coast of Asia Minor, and within
easy steaming distance of the Dardanelles,
had been occupied by n detachment Of
troops or marines, landed there from a
British ironclad, together with battery of
light field pieces and several Calling guns.
A Constantinople dispatch says the place
was formally taken in the name of the
Queen of England.
The foreign office and the admiralty re-
fuse to confirm or deny the report.
THIRTEEN SHIPS LAND TROOPS.
All the bourses took alarm over the re-
port, and prices of Turkish and Russian
securities declined, while diplomatic circles
were greatly perturbed all day, and the
situation was this evening made more
alarming by the receipt of a telegram from
Athens to the effect that the Greek consuls
at Mitylene and at Smyrna had wired the
Greek government that thirteen British
men-of-war had landed troops and guns at
Sigri on Friday, and that they had already
strongly fortified that place.
Lord Salisbury's chief private secretary
has returned unexpectedly to London, and
is busy at the foreign office.
There is q good harbor at Sigri, and the
island would form a most advantageous
position from which Great Britain could
FoREToLD IN SATURDAYS RuMoR.
This seizure was in measure indicated
by report given out on Saturday that
Great Britain, in view of Russias practical
coercion of Turkey in regard to the pas
sage through the Dardanclles of vessels be
longing TO her volunteer fleet, intended to
occupy the Island of Tenedos, at the en-
trance to the Hellespont or Dardanelles
Tencdos, though occupying much more
advantageous position, being to all intents
and purposes at the actual entrance of the
Hellespont. is only five miles in length,
and is of rugged rocky nature.
EFrEcT IN FINANCIAL CENTRES.
This was settling day on the Stock Ex-
change, and the general tendency of
business was toward realizations, partly
due to the report concerning the Island OF
Mitylene and partly to the feeling that the
full account had been oyerdone. Heavy
sales on Constantinople and Frankfort
orders caused Turkish securities to drop
II per cent Russians per cent and
Italians and Hungarian per cent.
When the Paris Bourse opened there
was a general weakening of prices by rea-
on of this reported action Of the British
government
prices on the Berlin Bourse weakened
thif morning on report that port on
tho Island Of Mitylene had been seized by
British naval force.
At Frankfort the report,of the seizure
Lad the effect of weakening prices.
FRANCE AND RUSSIA HEAR THE NEWS.
CoNsTANTINoPLE, Sept. 14.--It is stated
that the French and Russian ambassadors
here have received kilograms from their
respective consuls in Mitylene announcing
the occupation of Sigri, and stating that
guns have been landed and that the island
has been surrounded with torpedoes.
AUsTRIAs GREAT INTEREST
RUDA PEsTH, Sept. l4.-The FEATHER LiODd
to-day says that Austria Hungary's inter
est in the Dardanelles question is greater
than Great Britain's, adding: Can Austria
look on with complacency while Russia
finding herself barred from expanding
through Bulgaria, advances by shorter
route to the goal she has in view-tht
seizure Of Constantinople?
England can compensate herself will
Egypt, but where is Austria's compensa
tionf The powers ought not hesitate t.
check Russia. Does Berlin ?"
CAR NICHOLAS PLOTS IN 1858.
Referring to the alleged Russian plot Il
seize Constantinople by coup de main
the Pssfhsr Lloyd quotes document pre-
pared by Gar Nicholas in 1853. minutely
detailing plans by which a force of 1900
infantry, two sotnias of Cossacks and 3
guns could force the passage of the Bos
phorus and carry Constantinople. Admira
Menschikof pronounced the scheme to b
an impossible one.
The car, it is said, then PROPOSED as al
alternative surprise, landing at Bourgaz
seapor. in Eastern Roumelia, IS mile
northeast of Adrianople, situated on tn
Gulf of BourgaZ, which has a depth o
from five N y fathoms.
The idea was that after landing sud
denly and Unexpectedly at Bourgaz
small Russian force could from ther
make rush upon Constantinople an
capture it before the Powers could intel
vene.
Admiral Menschikoff was at that time a
the head Of the Russian navy, which Ii
had raised to high state of efficiency an
sohemay be supposed to have well weighe
the question before he pronounced as in
possible the proposal to force the Boz
phorus by coup de main.
THE CAPTURE NOW THOUGHT FEASIBLE.
In March, 1858, Admiral Menschikot
was sent as ambassador to Constantinnnl,
where he speedily brought about ruptur
between the Porte and the car, and ever
tually caused the Crimean war. Durin
that war be commanded both the land an
naval forces of Russia, and displayed Tn
greatest energy and skill in dcfendin
Sebastopol.
The Peaher Lioyd,in conclusion, says tina
y has also become known from wore
dropped here and there recently AZ s
Petersburg that these coup de main pro-
poets have been revived in high oiIici,
circles there, and that various plans {
capturing Constantinople have been di
cussed, in view of their great feasibilit
owing to the advantage of modern WI
equipments.
THE SEIZED ISLAND.
The island of Mitylene has figured col
spicuously in the discussions Of the cas-
ern question for many years past II lii
off the coast of Anatolia. or ASA Mino
its extreme northern point being about
miles due south of the southern entran,
Of the Dardanelles, while the harbor ,
Eigri, where the British effected the
tSnding, is about 40 miles from the san
Doint.
The length of the island from east
tHsQst ia 3S miles, and its breadth from nor,
TO south "a miles. Its total area "a .
square miles, 1t has 10000 populatio
The island is separated from the mainlar
by strait from to Omiles in width. III
interior Is mountainous but the valleys a
extremely fertile, are watered by mar
streams, and, if properly cultivated, Won
be exceedingly productive,
Mityiene, the chief town, is on the sout
east coast, on peninsula which forr
two small harbors. 1t was originally bin
on small island close to the coast. b
afterwards when the limits of this islai
became too narrow, ii was Joined to Lesb
by causewaY, forming the two harbors
the present day. These are only fit
present for the accommodation Of Goa,
ing craft or small vessels, and larger Sill
must anchor in the roads outside whe
they are exposed to southeast and mort
east winds, which in winter blow wi
much violence.
On the southeast part of the islam
however, is Port Olivier, or Tero, which
described as a safe and beautiful harb,
and one of the best in the Grecian Arcl
pelago. 1t is altogether about eight mil
IN length, and completely landlocked |