The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-10-15

Washington City, Oct A--Tne CLOSEST
inquiry fails 20 disclose any change In the
policy OF the state department. toward the
Turkish question. and particularly re-
specflng the movements az the little dts
patch boat Bancroft. From the sirst tho
officials OF both state ana navy depart
nents have refused 10 state where the
boat was going. further than that eerfala
orders had been given 20 her commander.
These orders directed him 10 report on
arrival at Gibraltar to Admiral Sesfr4dgc.
commanding the European station. ana
take all further orders from him II can
ne stated positively. however. that no
orders have gone forward since the orig
ina. Instructions 10 Admiral Selfrijge. nor
are any on the way touching the futurN
movements OF the Bancroft The vessel
upon arrival at Gibraltar. was ordered BY
Admiral Se,fridge 10 proceed 10 Smyrna.
and IN due there In a day or two- The
Cincinnati: Is also on her way 10 the samA
point. AT Smyrna are now assembled tho
flagship San Francisco, the Minneapolis
and the Marhiehead.
The purpose or the gathering IL TO meet
the sinrinnau and Bancroft. which bring
out drafts of new men 10 take the places
OF the sailors on the station whose terms
OF enlistment are about TO expire, for *
they are kept longer the government must
pay them extra compensation. The men
head. whose place on the station viii b
taken by the Cincinnati. The Odaroiehca0
will come home.
Naval officers ridcu.e the idea that the
Bancroft VIII undertake to force the pas
sage NJ the Darsianeiies. for this would
be absolutely impossible. sinxie-hAnded.
and even IL she succeeded she would b.
helpless when she arrived OF Consfan-
t.nople Probably she has been sent to
Turkey TO serve whatever useful purpose
she can. either as a dispatch boat 10 CONF
mSinirate bet wcen the larger vessels OF the
United States squadron. or TO acrcmmo-
date Minister Terrell. Undoubtedly tbs
minister would like to have near tho
United States legation some vessel -
serve a. a refuge for the legation people
and the Americans in Constantinople In
discretion 10 get the right OF way for the
boat if he wants her. The state depart-
msnt has preferred no request for her
admission 10 the Da-dAne1Ics. and in view
cf The semi-ofYicial announcement al the
Porte that such permission would not ~
granted. IL is not likely the depar tnent
will subject itself 10 the snnb that might
be expected IL the demand were made.
1t IL regarded as probable. In the event
OF real disturbances In Gonstantlnople.
the only case In which the Bancroft could
be of the slightest use. that Minister Ter
reH would be able 10 bring the ship through
without any serious objection. but In the
present sspec. Of Turkish Affairs there II
no reason 20 look for tronble.
That part OF the Bancroft story alleging
that the French fleet would cooperate IN
securing the passage OF the Bancroft
through, the Dardanelies ~ absolutely
without foundation. IL can he stated on
unsyuestioned diplomats authority that no
negotiations to such end have ever been
attempted The essential features OF the
story are iiscresiited I'm diplomasic circles.
which believe the published report orig
mated in the fact that the Bancrofts ad-
mission to the Bosphcrous Is desired. ana
Minister Terrell VIII use hiz influence on
the Porte TO bring IL about by peaceful
methods but viii not persist. II decided
objection is made So far as the United
States alone IS concerned. the European
powers have no objection TO the presence
OF the disratch boat in the Bosphorus-
The objections arise solely from the fart
that II might establish a precedent for .
ike demand from other nations.
Prom the best official sources Il -
learned che movements OF the Bancroft
have not figured IN any way In the cabinet
meetings held since the return Of the pres
ident TO this city. and equally good ard
strong denisis can be entered to all she
sensational features Of the published re-
gagea the attention OF fhe administration
oftScials OF the state or navy departments
since the sending Of the original orders
10 the commander OF tho European squad
ron
At no time was there the slightest In
tentEon Of undertaking 10 force passage
OF the DardanelleS. least of all at present.
when almost daily cables bring the assur-
ance of the porte 10 some enc OF the pow
ers party 30 the treaty OF Paris that re-
forms shall be initiated at once in the dis
iurbets provinces. and that the Turtieh
effscssis shalt be held 20 a rigid RESPONSE
.sftsfy for The maintenance OF order ara
the protection Of life and property In the
respective provinces.
The adm infstrsfion has strongly record
ed Itself. notably IN the Venezuelan corrv-
spondence with Great Britain. as hound
10 refrain from interference. In European
rpolstfe~ that do not directly affect thS
United States. and while II might be graft
iaed were the Bancroft admitted 70 the
pardaneiies for the benefit OF Minister
Terrell. II in NOT disposed 10 make any ss-
sue that would tend 10 cornpiicats tho sit
uation.
Esropean Opintea % II.
T<,naop. Oct 1.-THE morning papers
dlscrsslit the report set sfsoat irl the Unit
cd states that the Bancroft was 70 pro-
ceed through the Dardsneiies Without re-
gard 20 any protest offered by Turkey.
and vas 20 be protected IN so doiag II
necessary. by the United States squadron
at smyrna
The Chronicle suggests. In commenting
ssrsn the report. that In the event Of ths
United States doing for Europe what
EUROPE dare not do for herself, the Inlted
/ states with three cruisers might seize tho
customs az smyrna
The 1raphse and Post concur IN the
opl.sion that such action A. the fsass5He
of the Daraaneiies by the Issncrofs world
fall 10 settle the Eastern problem Fne
/ Post thinks. perhaps. there ~ kernel ~
truth IN the report mat Rassis's good Of
i; fees have been invoked 10 induce the ssai-
) tan to permit an American man-os-war 10
/. proceed 20 conssantsn1ple.
/. WouId Not support us-
{ r.oudan. Oct IA Rome dsspsteh 70
(. the Daily News reports ne foreign sfffcs
! there denies the powers would support tns
United states IN an attempt 20 force the
! DaFaanelles-
The GolA Reserve.
{ waxhingfan city. ccs. 1.-THE treasury
today inss szss ga la gold eoEn ard 50 -