The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-10-15
Could Not Possibly Force
the DardanelleS.
SesatiOnal Reports Regarding
the US. Cruiser Refuted.
A Few Very Cold Facts In Regard
to the Subject.

Washington. Oct. 15.-No authentic In
formation can be obtained from official
sources In Washington concerning the
report that the Bancroft has been or.
dered to pass the Dardanelles. Secre-
taries Olney and Herbert refuse to dis
cuss the story. and other representa-
tives OF the administration In a position
10 know the Turkish situation are
pledged to silence.
Certain features Of the story are gen.
orally discredited. however Not only
would the Bancroft be unable to force
the Dardanelles II resistance were Of
fered. but the entire american fleet In
the Mediterranean would be about as
powerless Within the last year the
Turkish government has strengthened
Its Notifications. and what would have
been an easy task a year ago Is now
matter OF considerable difficulty. The
Turkish navy amounts to little, and In
naval sources ii is asserted that should
the Bancroft steam toward the Oar
danelles. TuNkey would never fire a hos
tile shot. The sultan would realize that
the Bancroft was not making the expe-
dition In fooihardy reliance upon her
own strength, or even upon that OF the
Mediterranean squadron OF the Ameri-
can government. but that she had the
backing OF one or more powers strong
enough 10 sweep the Turkish fortifica-
tions. That the Bancroft will be COM
PEELED TO pass the Dardanelles without
finally securing permission of the Turk
ish government is not now known, but IL
she does make the attempt against tho
VIII of the sultan. IL will afford evidence
OF a European backing behind the move
ment. Alliances of this sort between
the United States and European govern
ments are not ordinarily expected, and
upon this fact IL is conjectured that Ad-
miral Ramsay's statement that the Ban
croft has been given no other orders
than those she sailed with. means that
the whole affair is much less formidable
than the current report would make II.
resident Of Washington, not con-
Eected with the federal administration,
who Is recognized as an authority upon
the Turkish ard Armenian problems.
said, In speaking of yesterdays report:
Il cannot fathom the purposes of the
state department and am not in its con-
fidence, but / believe the United States
Will do as ii has always done--protect its
own citlZens-and that Mr.. Terrell has
been doing in the past with exceptional
success. We have no interest except
sentimental I'm doing more, and IL con-
siderations of this kind should operate
to change the policy of our government,
II would be the first time Mr.. Cleveland
has shown any such intention. He def
initely refused 10 join a concert OF the
lowers in an Armenian inquiry, but was
willing that Mr.. Jewett should make his
Inquiries alone. Possibly the state de-
partment has knowledge OF a concerted
action of the powers, and is sending the
Bancroft to be on hand to protect our
property and interests. But many of the
features OF this mornings story seem
highly improbable. Suppose Mr. Terrell
should go upon the Bancroft. The sultan
would merely hand him his passports.
and what would that avail? Another
side Of this situation which should not
be forgotten Is the interest which the
European powers have In protecting
Constantinople itself The city is mort
gagged to western Europe, and its busi-
ness interests are in the hands of the
SAME people: besides, there are 10000
European citizens and their descendants
living in the city, Should a European
feet pass the Dardanelles, IL would
hesitate long before sheliing the city.
These considerations add to the com
plexity OF the Turkish situation, and I
confess i cannot understand what part
In the performance our little Bancroft Is
expected to play"
As Viewed Abroad.
London, Oct 15.-All of the morning