Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-09-06
SUNDAY. SEPTEMBER 8, 1891.
Tho Dardanelles Incident.

Across the water the principal object OF
solicitude IL the "Sick Man" of Europe.
and tho war-clouds are swirling about
Constantipople more threateningly than at
any time since 1877. The concession OF
the Porte to Russia respecting the passage
of the latter's vessels through the Dsrda-
uelles has thrown every Court in Europe
into a state of excitement. While 1t IS
true that the more recent adyicos would
seem to render the situation less grave
than il at first appeared. and that the sui
tan NAV be able TO mako an explanation
that will render summary measures Oh the
part Of England and the Triple Alliance un-
necessary for the present. II must be uniyer-
saIly recognized that the incident marks a
long stride in the direction OF an appeal to
arms In tho near future. The concession.
no matter under what restrictions, - tri-
umph for Russia and another advance to-
wards communicating tho Hope OF Mos
cow"-that is. planting the cross on 81.
Sophia. The Gar Is simply playing the
historic game of Russia. in which that
Power has been bcaten timo and again,
but which il has never relinquishcd and
never will. To go back no farther than
1882. IL Will be remembered that after the
defeat OF MIHMrp's army at Konieh 10y
IbaAHrx, son of MxaEMrr ALI, the Sultan,
Egyptian vassai, Russian feet appeared
OF Constantinoplo and soon an alliance
was concluded between the Car and the
Porte by which the control of the
Dardanelles was practically transferred TO
Russia. This was known as the treaty OF
Unkair Skelessi. In 1889 at Nisib IpnAHIM
annihilated the Sultan's army, and Russia
finding it impossible to maintain in the face
of the attitude OF the other Powers the con-
ditions OF tho Unksir Skelessi alliance
united with the Powers In sustaining the
old rule Of the Ottoman empire and for
bidding the passage OF the Dardanellou TO
tho war-ships OF all nations except
those of the Porte In time OF actual
hostiities. BY the treaty OF Psris-fol-
lowing the Crimcan war-these coDdi-
tions still obtained, and both Rus
Ella and Turkey agreed 10 keep no war-ships
y or war material in the Black Sea During
the Frsnco-P russian war Of 1870, however.
owing TO the isolation Of England, Russia
withdrew from the treaty of Parisso far ~
the condition referring to armament in the
Black Sea were concerned, and OF the close
IF the Turco-Russian war would have
abrogated the restrictions on the passage
of war-ships through the Dsrdanelles but
for the intcrposition of British guns.
That England could not afford to rocede
from her traditional policy should the
Porte's concessions either now or in the
future develop into violation Of existing
treaties in reference TO the Dardanelles is
eelf-eyidona Already Russia has gained
TOO much vantage by her course in respect
to the treaty OF Paris II would also APP
pear self-evident, in spite OF the assertion
of some OF the Continental press that Eng
land would have to stand alone in con-
fronting the issue, that the Triple Alliance
would in case of war be compell-
ed TO come to her support. Aside
from oil other questions involved, Austria
Hungary owes that debt to SALIspURr on
account of his declared policy regarding
the Balkan States. and Germany and Italy
have before them the lesson that tho Cri-
mean war by relieving the pressure Of Rus
sia upon tho rest of Europe was an i'm
portant factor in rendering German and
italian unifcation possible. This latter
fact is generally admitted by students Of
the drift of European events Cor the last
hall century.