The record-union., 1891-09-19
Not Mere Chance That the Ma
neuyers Took Place.
ADMIRAL KERR BELIEVED TO HAVE
ACTED UNDER ORDERS.
Sir William White Very Reticent Con-
corning the Matter-An Article In
spired by Lord Salisbury says That
it is Advisable to Let the World
Know That the British Government
WIN Not Allow Russia to Obtain
Command OF the Dardaneues.
copyrighted, 1891, by n. Y. Associated press.l

/
LONDON, Sept. 18 = The Sultan has
deemed the moment opportune to empha-
size the entente between the Porte and
the Franeo-Russian alliance by con-
ferring upon Ribot, French Foreign Min
lister, the Grand Gordon of the Order of
Osmani, and upon Mae Ribot the decora-
ton of Nichani Chetakat, an order for
ladies founded by the Sultan himself
The bestowal of these distinctions was
announced to the diplomatic circle in
Constantlnople tonight
Associated with this news, the British
Foreign Office has received advices from
Sir William White. British ambassador
at Constantinople, to the effect that Said
Pasha had sent him report from the
Governor of Smyrna on the Mitylene in
cident, with note repeating in urgent
terms the Porte's request for an explana-
ton.
Sir William White does not mention
the receipt of any information concern
ing Sigri from Admiral Lord Kerr on
which the response ought to be based,
The delaying of the reply tends to con-
firm the belief that Admiral Kerr acted
| under orders, and that it was not chance
| that caused the maneuvers. Slgri, it is
believed, was selected as an unobtrusiye
place to effect the suggestive demonstra-
ton. Sir William White certainly is not
hampered in making his explanation by
the absence OF communication from the
Levant squadron. The Admiralty is
known to have received report from
Admiral Kerr telegraphed through Con-
stantinople, presumably through the
medium of the British Embassy. If Ad-
miral Kerr acted under instructions Lord
Salisbury's explanations may rest upon
the fact that the Porte had long accorded
the privilege of maneuvering and drill
ing upon the islands of the archipelago,
Whatever the nature Of the response it
will not be apologetic.
The Standard, in an article directly in
spired, if not written by Lord Salisbury's
private secretary, puts the position ex-
phcitly. 1t says: SIt is advisable that
the whole world should know what the
English Government will do. Russia
VIII lull itself into most dangerous de-
luslon to imagine that Great Britain will
under any circumstances, suffer Russia
to obtain command of the Dardanelles
AS long as Turkey effectually guards the
straits England will not interfere but
Immediately the Government of the Sui
tan, in a fit of timidity, perversity or be-
Wllderment, shows itself incapable of
performing that imperative duty, Eng
land will assurcdly not shrink from hav-
ing recourse to expedients for meeting
the difficulty
The Liberal chiefs meet the great party
federation of Newcastle with the question
of party leadership determined. Glad
stone will accept the Premiership if vic
torious in the general elections, having
Sir William Vernon Harcourt as deputy.
with a full share of the responsibilities.
In view of the limited physical resources
OF Gladstone, when the home rule bill is
carried Gladstone will retire and Har-
court will succeed as Premier. Lord
Spencer will head the Liberal Lords, and
the Earl of Rosebery will become For
eign Secretary. The federation meeting.
as it is the last that will be held before
the country is plunged into a general
election, IS of exceptional importance.
Over 1000 delega1es, representing Goo
different associations, will determine the
final platform.
Apart from the programme already
recognized, the eight-hour question will
be the prominent point discussed. The
federation Committee, feeling the neces-
Slty of conciliating the trades, are man
euvering for the Federation's acceptance
OF the eight-hour principle in the form of
local option. Several liberal associations
have already been influenced to vote for
restriction of the hours of labor where a
very decisive majority of workers desire
restriction.
man squadron, with or without the aid
of British or French vessels, to enforce
diplomatic representation on the Chinese
Government. The French Foreign Min
lister proposes q joint demonstration at
Tien Tsin. The Chinese Embassy here
has received absolute assurance from
Pekin that the Chinese Government is
able to repress the anti-foreign upheaval,
and is ready TO offer reparation.
The theosophic fad is vanishing as
quickly as it arose. The pseudo Colonel
Desmond" who accepted challenge of
$1,000 to demonstrate the existence of
mahatmas and produce a supernatural
phenomena, can't be traced The ashes
ofsMme. Blavatsky have been divided into
three portions, one portion being kept
here, another being sent to Madras, and
the third being placed in an urn in New
York.
The Danish royal family meeting at
Fredensburg resulted in the betrothal of
the eldest son of the Crown Prince of
9pnmarZ tn Princess Nictc,-io Of YSJolo,,