The daily morning journal and courier., 1896-10-15
MISSION OF THE BANCROFT
SHE WILL NOT FORGE 4 PASSAGE OF
 THE DARD1NELLES.

This Is Upon the Authority of President
 CIeveland-She Is Proceeding to Constan-
 tinople-Sienatory Powers of the Paris
 Treaty Approve of the United States
 Plans-Our Rights to be Upheld.
 Washington, Oct. 14.-The little dis States navy, now about due at Smyrna, has not been ordered to force passage through the Dardanelles, with or with out foreign aid. This can be stated on the direct authority of the president of the United States.
 There is no doubt that the Bancroft is going straight to Constantinople just as fast as her steam can carry her, or just as soon as Minister Terrell makes a request upon Admiral Selfrdge for her services as a guard boat or dis patch boat, in the same manner as sim liar draught and light arnlored dispatch boats are placed at the service of other friendly nations This fact was stated with explicit details in the United As sociated Presses dispatches from this city on the morning of August 2S last.
 Some attempts were made by the Chicago Associated Press to discredit this important piece of news, but the accuracy of the information has now been confirmed in every particular. But that any forcible passage of the Dardanelles Is in contemplation by the United States, with or without Euro pean support, can be set down as sim- ply an attempt to exaggerate the news originally given in these dispatches. Undoubtedly the chief signatory pow CTS of the treaty of Paris have been in formed of the purpose of the United States, and have given their consent. Under such circumstances, the porte must of necessity acquiesce. In this connection it may be stated that no confirmation has been received either from Minister Terrell or from any oth- GI SOuTCp Ol LliG dllSSGu uIlOlitSlehA NiCS@ laration of the Turkish government that 1t would permit no more guard ships to enter the Bosphorous, and con- sidering that nearly ten days have elapsed since this statement was first cabled "vta Sofia it's authenticity is gravely doubted
 The Bancroft Is going to Constantin- ople, which fact has been known here since August 2S last This is about all there is to say, except that the United States is bound to have some answer from Turkey In regard to the destruc- tion of American missions in Harpoot 1 and Marash before the next presiden- ttal message goes to congress.
 l For some time past the necessity of having a guard ship at Minister Ter rilPs disposal has been a subject of l earnest discussion in cabinet, and ire
 quent consultations had been held be l tween the secretary of state, secretary
 of the navy and the president, at which
 the views of Minister Terrill, who was
 exceedingly anxious that man-of-war 1 belonging to our government should be
 in Turkish waters pending the long l disturbed condition of affairs In Tur- 1 key, were discussed,
 l More than a year ago a decision was
 arrived at in accordance with Minister l Terrill's wishes. After the declination | of Turkey in January last to allow a | naval vessel to pass the Bosphorous,
 MT. Terrill promised that If the Ban 1 croft should be sent he would find a | way to get her In. The Bancroft left | Gibraltar with the Cincinnati a week
 ago last Sunday and probably reached
 Smyrna yesterday. If the navy de-
 partment has been advised of her ar-
 rival at Smyrna it has seen fit to with
 hold the information. The Bancroft | assuredly started for Constantinople.
 Orders were given to the proper bureau
 chiefs of the navy department to fit her for guard duty in the Golden Horn
 and she was so equipped in August and 1 September under urgent ten day or
 ders from Assistant Secretary McAdoo. | There Is abundant information to the l effect that this government intends to
 collect the Harpoot Marash and other 1 indemnities before congress meets. The Corinto incident between Great Britain and Nicaragua being adopted as a prec-
 edent, Admiral Selfridge might seize | the customs of Smyrna until the proper
 amount Is collected, and in the opinion of some prominent officers here the ad-
 miral will employ his fleet for that pur-
 pose unless apologies and indemnities
 are soon forthcoming.