The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-10-14
WILL ENTER DARDANELLES.
The Bancroft Will Play Part in In
terlatiOlal Politics
WITH MINISTER TERRELL ON BOARD.
She VIII Start for Constantinople, and
should the Little ship BE Fired On It
Would Be "A sad Day FOR 1urkey-Irip
First and Permission Afterwards,

WASHINGTON. D. c., oct. l3.-speciaL
The United States gunboat Bancroft j.
TO play an important part in information
al politics in the next few days. Ihe
programme involving virtually new
policy in our transactions with the Turk
ish government. has been guarded with
characteristic and commemorate care boy
the State Department officials.
The intention Of the government how
ever, is quite well defined. 10 has been
the subject Of numerous councils aud i
from all accounts the adoption jon Wash
ington of suggestions made by Minister
Qulvelle. IN ConstantinOplc. The plan
is an important step towards the set-
Element Of our numbericss controversies
with the Ottoman government for g..
evidently has much more in view than
the altogether peaceful and somewhat
Insignificant purpose OF simply protecting
American interests.
ON TO CONSTANTINOPLE.
II Is not taking a sensational view ~
the situation when 10 is stated that the
departure Of the Bancroft from smyrna
I'm a few days will mark a responsible
step in our negotiation with the Sultan.
Commander Charles Bclknap who CONF
mands the Bancroft. has orders or Will
secure them on arrival al smyrna. where
he IS daily expected 70 proceed without
delay 10 Constantinople. The hitherto
practically forbidden capital port of
Turkey.
The plan has been communicated TO
ID NfH
chief OF the European station. who is
also AT Smyrna on the flagship Sau
Francisco, awaiting the arrival Of the
Bancroft. At Smyrna Minister Terrell
will board the Bancroft, which Will be-
come the dispatch boat Of our legation
by this simple action.
The ship will proceed 10 Chanak which
is about half way between Smyrna ana
the Dardaneles
At this point Minister Terrell will send
an official dispatch 10 the Foreign Of
flee I'm Constantinople that bee IS coming
TO the capital on the American gunooat
bancroft. No formal request is to be
preferred for the privilege Of entering
the sea Of Marmora and no opportunity
will be given the Porte 10 exercise the
power of denial.
The statement from Minister Terrell
will be positive and afford no grounds
for discussion OF the subject. This course.
the importance Of which is apparent 10
those familiar with the situation has
been determined upon after judicial
inquiry into the circumstances by the
Washington authorities. The advices
from Minister Terrell have lately been
OF such n character that there has APP
reared no better plan 10 pursue than the
rp..enrsrff a
representative OF this government I'm the
golden horn.
THE BANCROFTS ORDERS.
The discretion to be reposed i'm Com
mandor Belknap IS not limited. He
IS said 70 possess orders to convey Min
lister Terrell 10 Constantinople, despite
the menacing fortihcations on each side
of the narrow pass TO the secret sea Of
the Turks
IT IS not anticipated that the Turkish
authorities on learning Of the purpose
OF Minister Terrell. Will forcibly resist
the approach Of the Bancroft 10 their
capital. That action is frought with too
many disastrous results. The plan is
evidently 70 send the Constantinople OH
Gals a notice of the Barcrofts approach,
but M so late an hour that little can
be done by way OF official protest 10
dlfcCDfDTt the bdAAloAA . 'ii4NN.' "a 49,
tcrrupt tho plan.
II it came 10 question OF gun power,
the diminutive Bancroft. designed orig
inally for a sort Of play-cruiser, and in
adequately equipped for the purposes of
war. would offer little defence against
the Turkish armament on the Dardan-
Giles.
NO FIGHTING EXPECTED.
Naval officers and the diplOmaucs 10
Washington do not look for any such
real antagOnism.
They expect the Turkish displeasure.
IL evidenced az an. will find expression
in the conventional firing OF a OAR
Ganollcs' gun across the bow OF the en-
boldencd and intrusive Bancroft. This
viii answer the purpose of advising the
Bancroft's commander that he is en-
crouching upon forbidden waters. and
that persistence IS at his risk. and on
the responsibility Of his Government.
There are. however. other reasons than
mere timidity on the part of Turkey
10 justify the anticipation that no trou-
bic need be looked for. The present plan
was not devised and adopted on the re-
sponsibili,y OF this Government alone.
SANCTIONED BY THE POWERS.
IL Is known 10. and has the sanction
II not the practical support OF the Eu-
ropean powers. which are concerned IN
this Turkish business The Russian Gov
eminent even has lent its consent 70
the programme. Minister Breckenridge
having secured TIE necessary assurances
at 81. Petersburg.
This Circumstance is important IN the
extreme. IT has q significance beyond
the simple endorsement OF the foreign
ers in this qualified support Many Of tbs
ships Of the European nayies are assem-
bied at Smyrna.
AN ATTACK WOT'L DNEAN ACTION.
They have no right. and evidently VIII
not pretend TO pass the Dardanelles.
They Will be. however. ominously within
convenient call and an attack upon the
Bancroft would surely lead 10 action. our
own ships would without delay. engage
with the Turkish fortihcations. although
eur entire naval force In the Mediterrean
is not formidable. being composed OF The
San Francisco. Cincinnati. Marbiehead,
and Minneapolis