Delaware gazette and state journal., 1895-12-05
The SULTAN AND THE POWERS.
still Temporizing and Asking the Powers
&" Hold on-strenEthening tho Fortifica-
tions OF the Dnrdanelies.

cal SITUATION mere. During tne Gay tne
representatives of the Powers will hold
another meeting TO determine what
steps to take in view of the continued
refusal of the Sultan to grant the re-
quest Of the Powers for extra guard
ships in the Bosphorus.
II is known that the Sultan, finding
that his appeals to the Powers were in
vain, has been making the strongest
personal appeals 10 the different sover-
eigns interested, to induce them to
withdraw their demands for the extra
guardships, pointing out, as usual,
that it would be a serious blow TO his
dignity and that it might cause not
only the most serious rioting in Con-
stantinople but an extended outbreak
upon the part of the Mussulmans gen
orally.
The work of strengthening the forti-
fcations of the Dardanelles continues
night and day. The soldiers are busily
at work throwing up fresh defences and
the most busy scenes are witnessed
from the entrance of the Dardanelles
to the other side of Gallipoli. In ad-
dition. the Bosphorus entrance of the
sea Of Marmora is being placed in con-
dition for defence. Many torpedoes
have been sunk in both passages and
this work is being pushed with
astonishing vigor.
So far as can be judged without the
absence of definite news, the most
serious disturbances threatened or in
progress is in Palestine, fresh out
break being reported at Caesarea and
at knoieh and in the Mecca districts.
1t is reported here this afternoon
that after the meeting of the Ambas-
sadors, Sir Philip Currie, the British
Ambassador, notified the Turkish gov
| eminent that il the firmans asked for
were not granted by Saturday next, a
British gunhoat would be sent through
the straits of the Dardanellas, without
tho Sultan's permission, to act as an
extra guardship in the Bosphorus, fol-
the protection of the British embassy.
Efforts to obtain confirmation or de-
nial of the report have proved futile.
BRITAIN PREPARING TO MOVE.
Rome, Dec. st was reported here
| to-day that Great Britain has decided
to give the Sultan of Turkey until Sat
urday next to issue the firman for the
passage of an extra guardship through
| the Straits of the Dardanelles. 1t is also
added that il necessary permission il
not forthcoming at the end OF thai
time the British guardship will be semi
through the Straits without the Sui
tan's permission. Italy is said to en-
dorse the action of Great Britain. Ii
official circles the confirmation OF this
report could be obtained.
Constantinople, Dec. 8, via Sofa,
Bulgaria, Dec. A. The Eastern question
is passing through a period of rumori
started to test the temper IN which
this or that movement would be re.
ceived by the Powers. Thus, few days
ago, a story was floated to the effeci
that Great Britain has proposed to dis
memberment of Turkey to Russia and
that the latter had refused to take parl
in such partitioning of the Ottoman
Empire. Soon after this story had beer
digested, it was denied from numbel
of sources. .. f..
Then it was reported that Russia,
after the Sultan had made direct ap
peal to the Gear, had consented tt
waive her demands for an extra guard
ship in the Bosphorus, and that thii
had been one Of the causes of Great
Britain's withdrawing the Dryad from
the entrance Of the Dardenelles after
the Sultan had refused to issue per
NIT for her TO pass in.
Lastly, yesterday, after the meetirl
of the ambassadors, it was rumored tina
Sir Philip Currie, the British Ambas
sador, had notified the Porte that Grea
Britain gave the Sultan until Satur'
day next in which to issue the frmani
demanded, and that if they were no
Forthcoming by that time an extri
British guardship would pass tn,
straits without the Sultan 8 permission
The Sultan has all along believed
and the palace coterie has been appar
entity equally convinced, that Russii
would not act in accordance with Grea
Britain, and that therefore Russia
France and even Germany might b.
counted upon, if il came to decisiv
crisis, to oppose any active interference
upon the part of Great Britain in tn
Turkish Empire. In fact, this belle
was almost general in the politica
world, and all assertions to the con
trary were received with polite smile
of incredulity.
1t became known to-day, however
TO the surprise of the skeptics, tina
Russia lie really in accord with tn
Powers, and that the Sultan need lool
for no sympathy from the Czar or hi'
advisers in anything in any way tend
ing to thwart the determination of tn,
Powers to have order restored through
out the Turkish Empire, and measure
taken for the protection Of the lives ant
property of all the Christian subjects
to the Sultan. This news has cast
dismal spell over the Yildiz Kiosk
and the ministers have been in almos
constant attendance upon the Sultai
ever since.
The details of the developing Of tn,
little surprise are as follows:
When Great Britain threatened to
force the passage of the Dardanelles il
the firmans for the passing in of tht
extra guardships were not granted, thu
Sultan appealed personally to the gov
ernments OF Russia, Austria, Germany
and France, begging them not to press
their demands, calling their attention
to the efforts his government was max
ing to restore order and prevent furthe
outbreaks, and dwelling strongly upor
the danger of an uprising OF the Mus
sulmans throughout the empire If ht
were subjected to such a slight. HI
held that tho mere fact of sending th'
additional warships 10 the Bosphorul
would be an intimation that he wa!
not considered by the Powers to bi
capable of maintaining order in his OWL
dominious.
In no case did the Sultan meet with
success. Prince Lobanoff- Rostovslly,
the Russian Minister for Foreign AZ.
fairs replied at first. that he woult
sound the cabinets Of France, German,
and Austria on the subject, it being ap
parently concluded that it was useles
to again question Great Britain o
Italy. The Russian foreign ministe
did so; but received nothing but un