The record-union., 1896-12-13
Was on Account Of Unexpected Stand
Taken by the Powers.
Had Not the Sultan Been Informed of
the Ultimatum of Russia, France
and Great Britain, the American
Vessel Would Have Been Ordered
Through the Straits, With Little
Doubt That 1t Would Have Been
Accomplished.

lew YORK, Dec. PA Sun" spe-
claI from Washington says: Government
oIlclalS al Washington are as vet with
out o1hc1al information regarding the
agreement reached by the powers for
intervention in the Eastern question,
put say that until the British Foreign
oIilce makes public its terms and noti-
hes the representatives of the various
1orelgn countries having legations in
London, the State Department cannot
be advised by ambassador Bayard Of
the momentous news
1t is said that while intimation has
been received that progress was being
made between Russia, France and
Great Britain, which promised salts
factory settlement of the whole Turk
ish problem, SO sudden determination
to inform the Sultan of the ultimatum
was not anticipated.
One of the Assistant Secretaries of
State practically acknowledged vester-
day that the reason why Minister Ter
rell had not met the cruiser Bancroft
at Smyrna and taken her to CONSTANT
nople was that an intimation had been
received from Russia that in a very
brief time reforms in Turkey would be
ON~AihSA CAe VII CtiS>il tilC COiiibilItu tI-
forts of the powers, the Dardanelles
opened to the navies of the world and
that any attempt then to secure the
United States guardship against the
protest of the Porte might tend TO COM
plicate matters and interfere with the
proceeding of the programme.
AT that time dispatches to newspa-
pers stated in positive terms that the
Iy.,z
Dardanelles. 1t was the purpose of
Minister Terrell to carry out the plan
then set forth, and there is little doubt
that it would have been accomplished
and not gun turned ON the little ves-
sci, when the Porte was brought to
recognize that the United States would
sustain its contention that the straits
were not closed to American vessels by
sending the Bancroft through.
Minister Terrell had little doubt then,
1t is now officially known, of his ability
to secure a firman, and the Bancroft
would now have been anchored in the
Golden Horn but for unexpected de-
velopmentS in the Turkish question,
arising out of the rapid work accom-
plished by Russia in bringing the other
European powers to agree to concerted
action in settling the whole affair.
Since the Bancroft incident it has
been known here that it was only a
question of short time when the visit
of the Car to England and France
would bear fruit, and that Europe
would hear of the agreement reached
between the Powers to act jointly in
treating with the Sultan, or use force if
that diplomacy failed. 1t is now as
serted that the Presidents reference in
his message to the necessity of retain
ing a naval fleet in Eastern waters was
due to the expected break in the Sui
tan's administration, which, when it
comes, will no doubt require the pres
eEce of every vessel there to look after
Americans stationed in the small cities
along the Syrian coast.
The prevalent impression here, and
especially at the State Department,
which is kept thoroughly advised when
anything occurs in Europe regarding
Turkey, is that the Sultan will accept
the propositions to be submitted by the
Powers and promptly acquiesce in all
demands made on him.
In the event of coercion being en-
pIoyed the attitude of the United States
VIII De OF SIFlCL neutrality. IL VIII loU
Immediately permit our ships to follow
the European fleets through the straits.
but will keep the vessels under Adani-
raj Selfridge in close proximity so that
no opportunity be lost to give prompt
aid to American interests in the in
term following the entrance of the
fleets and the assumption of control of
Constantinople by the Powers.
Should the fleets be compelled to
force the straits it is believed by the
Navy Department that the vessels OF
the United States squadron would fol-
low afterward, in order to be on hand
off Constantinople to answer any de-
mands that might follow from Minister
Terrell for protection by the Porte of
all American interests in the city.
The passage of the fleet. however. on
such a mission, the officials here say.
could not be construed by the Powers
as a desire to cooperate with them
in the reformation programme, but
simply in pursuance of the policy of the
Government to send warships to Con-
stantinople at any time when their
presence was believed to be necessary.
From now on the developments in the
Eastern question will be watched with
the greatest interest.