Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-12-04
CURRIE PERSISTS.
Turk Given Until Saturday for
That Cunboat Firman.
BRITISH AMBASSADOR INs1sTENT.

Tells the Sultan, So It Is Reported, That
If He Docs Not Consent the Boat VIII Go
Into the Bosphorus Anyhow-Why the
Powers Move So slowly-A Story from
Marsovan-London Editorial Comment on
President Cleveland's Message.
BERLIN, Dec. IA dispatch from Con.
stantinople to the Frankfort Zeitung says
that Sir Philip Currie, the British ambas-
sador, has had an interview with Tewfik
Pasha. the Turkish minister for foreign
affairs, during which the former notified
the latter that Great Britain allowed
Turkey until Saturday next in which to
grant the permission for an additional
guardship to pass the Dardanelles for the
protection Of the British embassy Mt Con-
stantinople. In the event of a refusal,
the Frankfort Zeitung's dispatch adds,
Sir Philip informed Tewfik Pasha that
British gunboat would be sent through
the Dardanelles without the permission
asked for. 1t is further stated that Italy
indorscs the action of Great Britain in
This matter. The interview alluded to is
believed to have taken place Monday. In
luiries made in official circles here fail to
slicit confirmation of the report.
Sultan Making Personal Appeals.
A dispatch from Constantinople via So
d, Bulgaria, says: 1t is known that the
sultan, finding that his appeals to the
powers were in vain, has been making the
strongest personal appeals to the different
sovereigns interested to induce them to
withdraw their demands for the extra
guardships, pointing out, rs usual, that it
would be a serious blow to his dignity, and
that it might cause not only the most ser
ious rioting in COnstantinople. but an ex
.cndcd outbreak upon the part of the Mus
sulmans generally. AS to the condition Of
Asiatic Turkey, the extent to which re-
form is being pushed and the degree to
which riotlng has been suppressed are the
points which influence the situation and
serve as guide to the possible action of
the powers. Of coursr, all excuse for in
tervention would be done away with, to
all intcnts and purposes. If, as the almost
complete silence would indicate, order has
been practically restored and there have
been no further serious outbreaks.
Why the Powers Are Slow to Act.
But in diplomatic circles here nobody
seriously believes this to b. the case. 1t is
dIiHost Ccrtdlfl untU at tnlS Juncturo not
one of the powers is DESTROYS of being COM
PEELED to seriously interfere in the affairs
Of thu Turkish empire. Russia could
hardly do SO otherwise than by land, and
winter Is approaching rapidly, which
would mean the most extreme difficulty
in moving troops, and Great Britain is
hardly prepared to act alone, unless under
extreme provOcatiOn. Such provocation,
it is believed, the sultan will take care not
to offer If he can help it.
Turk Preparing for Possibilities.
The work of strengthening the fortifica-
tons Of the Dardenclles continues night
and day. The soldiers are busily at work
throwing up fresh dcfenscs, and the most
busy scenes are witnessed from the en-
trance Of the Dardanellcs to the other side
of Gallipoli. In addition the Bosphor,is
entrance of the sea Of Marmora is being
placed in condition for defense. Many
torpedocs have been sunk in both pas
sages, and this work is being pushed with
astonishing vigor.