The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-10-15

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1.-THE little
dispatch boat Bancroft of the United
States navy, now about due at Smyrna,
has not been ordered to force a pas
sage through the Dardenelles with or
without foreign aid. This can be stated
on the direct authority of the president
of the United States. There is no
doubt that the Bancref is going
straight to Constantinople, just as fast
as her steam can carry her or just as
soon as Minister Terrell makes a re-
quest upon Admiral Selfridge for her
services as a guard boat or dispatcn
boat in the same capacity as similar
hght-draught and light-armored dis
patch boats are placed at the service
of other friendly nations. This fact
was stated with explicit details in the
United Associated Press dispatch from
this city on the morning of August %
last. Some attempts were made by
the Chicago Associated Press TO dis
credit this important piece of news,
but the
ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION
has now been confirmed in every par
ticular. But that any forclble passage
of the Dardanelles is in contemplation
by the United States with or without
European support, can be set down as
simply an attempt to exaggerate the
news originally given in these dis
patches. Undoubtedly the chiefs of the
signatory powers of the treaty of Paris
have been informed 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 other source, of the alleged I'M
official declaration of the Turkish gov
eminent that it would permit no more
guardships to enter the Bosphorus, and
considering that nearly ten days have
elapsed since this statement was first
cabled via Sofia" its authenticity is
gravely doubted
The Bancroft is going to CONSTANT
nople, 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-
ton of American missions in Harpoot
and Marash before the next presiden-
tial message goes into congress.
For some time past, the necessity of
relps disposal has been a subject of
earnest discussion in the cabinet, and
frequent consultations had been held be-
tween the secretarysof state, the secre-
targ of the navy and the president, at
whip-s- the Views Of Minister Terrell
eVno was exceedingly anxious that a
man-of-war belonging TO our govern
ment should be in Turkish waters pend
ing the long disturbed condition of
affairs in Turkey. We're thoroughly
made understood and more than year
ago a decision in accordance with Min
lister Terrelrs wishes in that direction
was reached. and al details of the i'm
portant service wete carefully and ad-
visedly consideredi After tile declina-
ton of Turkey, ik January last, 20
allow naval vesseN to pass the Bos-
phorus Minister Terf& promised that
if the Bancroft should be\sent he would
find a way to get her in.
The Bancroft left Gibran lr in COM
pany with the Cincinnati a geek ago
last Sunday. and should have Seached
Smyrna, and probably did reach toat
point yesterday, steaming at the, rate
of 200 miles per day. If the nav& de-
partment has been advised of herr ar
rival at Smyrna. it has seen fit Nto
withhold the information. The Bah
croft assuredly started for CONSTANT
nople. orders were given 10 the prOpe(
bureau chiefs of the navy deDartmenN
to fit her for guard duty in the Golden}
Horn, and she was So equipped in Aug
ust and September under urgent ten
day orders from Assistant Secretary of
the Navy McAdoo. There is abundant
to the effect that this gov
eminent intends to collect the Harpoot,
AGarash and other indemnities before
congress meets. National insult may
be met as a method of last resort
the Corinto incident between Great
Britain and Nicaragua being adopted
as 2. precedent-in which event Admiral
Selfridge might seize the customs OF
Smyrna until the proper amount is col 4
leeted. and in the opinion of some
prominent naval officers here the ad-
miral will employ his fleet for that
purpose unless apologies and indemnity /
are soon Forthcoming.