Evening star., 1896-12-09
Agreement of the Powers on the
Eastern Question.
FLEETS TOACT TOGETHER IF NECESSARY
Prepared to Attempt the Passage
of the DardaneIIes.
PROGRESS OF NEGOTIATIONS

Post today confirms the repeated state
ments on the subject cabled to the Asso-
ciated Press during the past two months,
in saying that 1t learns from a high quar-
ter that an understanding has been arrived
at between Great Britain, Russia and
France for the settlement of the so-called
eastern question. which has for genera
tions been troubling the statesmen Of Eu-
rope.
The Post adds that the Russian Black sea
feet and the British and French Mediter-
ranean fleets will shortly be mobilized in
contisuity to the Bosphorus and the Oar
daneiles in order to enforce. II necessary,
the reforms which the embassies of the
three powers are about to present to the
sultan. and to which the other signers Of
the Berlin treaty. Germany. Austria and
Italy, have consented. To this end, 1t Is
asserted. the allied fleets may force the
passage of the straits Of the Dardanelles.
Progress of Negotiations.
September 2o. while the car was at Bal
moral, as cabled to the Associated Press at
the time. the Manchester Guardian made q
similar statement. also alleging that the
cooperation of France had been purchased
by provision regarding Egypt, and adding
that the scheme foreshadowed the neutrali-
Ldtiou VI DOtn Egypt ana under an
international guarantee with their rulers,
under international tutelage
dispatches from Constantinople, under
date OF October l. seemed to confirm the
story. and dispatch to the Associated
Press from London October , said that the
Vienna correspondent of the Daily Mail
teiegraphed his paper as follows:
The powers have agreed upon a pacific
settlement of the eastern question. honor
able to all parties and amply guaranteeing
the security OF the ArmenianS
The same correspondent, October 5. as
then cabled to the Associated Press. wired
from Eienra. declaring that the agree
ment OF the powers for the settlement OF
the Turkish problem. which had good au-
thority for publishing. includes the forma-
ton of an Armenian zone in the Turkish
empire on the basis OF the Jewish pale in
Iiussla. the powers guaranteeing the safety
of the Armenians therein, with the idea
that the zone would become the germ of
a new Armenian state.
The Mail correspondent added 1.-The ac-
tive operations will be undertaken by Eng
land, France and Russia, while Italy will
Cooperate if necessary"
October a dispatch from Paris to the
Associated Press said that 1t was an
nounced there that France. Russia and
Great Britain had arrived at an agree
ment in regard to Turkey, and that it was
expected that these powers would imme-
diately dispatch to the porte vigorous
note. demanding the adoption of reforms
which will secure the safety of the Ar
menians in the Turkish empire
The Daily News of London. October 81
publish ed a dispatch from Paris saying it
was stated there that through the efforts
of the cZar as an intermediary an agree
ment had been reached between the Rus
sian, French and British governments for
the settlement of the troubles in Turkey,
adding that should the plan of settlement
decided upon be unopposed by the two
members of the dreibund the third member
will be obliged to accept 1t.
Financial Control of Turkey.
November II the Daily News declared, on
credible authority" that the powers were
considering scheme for the financial con-
troll of Turkey under European ministers
Under this plan Sir Edgar Vincent, gov
ernor of the Imperial Ottoman Bank at
Constantinople. was to be made minister CT
nnance, Russian officer minister of war
and Frenc hman minister of the interior
The grand vizier was to remain preside 1T
or the council of state. and all appoint
ments OF Importance were to be submitted
TO the powers
This scheme was also to include the rais-
ing OF loan of fJ.OO0.OO0 the placing of
the Turkish police under European control.
reduction of the strength of the army
each Fliayet to have a European receiver
who was to be answerable for collecting
the taxes and paying the salaries: he civil
and military lists were to be completely re-
vised, all officers convicted of crimes or
otherwise unfit for office were to be re-
moved. the gendarmerie was to be reorgaa-
lzed, no person was to be debarred from
office because of his religion, and all COM
mun1tleS were to have equal rights
November e6 tile Daily Nails Berlin cor
respondent said that the Grand Duke Nicn-
olas of Russia. had secured the consent of
Emperor Francis Joseph of Austria 20 a
modified plan for the partition of the Turk
ish empire and that he had arranged with
the Emperor of Austria for a visit to the
czar in January. The correspondent added
that Germany did not share in the parti-
tion. but that Russia would support Ger
manys policy in China and that Emperor
William was sending envoy to Pekin
with the Order Of the Black Eagle for the
Emperor of China.
Occupation of Turkey.
Finally, December 3. the Daily News an
nounced that the powers would shortly con-
slider project having for it's object the oc-
cupation by Russia Of the northwestern
corner of Turkey. formed by the Bosphorus
and the Black sea to about halfway down
the Bosohorus. which, together with the
Hellespent. will become entirely free to
the vessels of all nations. The forts along
the Hellespont will be diSmantled, and the
powers will assume the protection of the
Hellespont and Constantinople."
The Daily News added that the project
provides for the sultan retiring from the
rulership of Turkey.
Austria the Last to Yield.
A special cable dispatch from London to
the New York Sun says of the agreement:
1t was not until yesterday that the full
consummation was reached. Russia France
and Great Britain arrived at a substantial
agreement on a plan of action last week.
There remained the necessity of getting
the consent of the other three powers
which were signatories of the Berlin con-
vention. Italy and Germany agreed with
out much demur. Austria hesitated long,
and 1t was not until yesterdays emergency
cabinet council in London. which discussed
and approved the whole plan. that the
Astrian ambassador notified Lord Sails
bury Of the rather unwilling assent of his
government that the Russian, French and
British fleets should force the Dardanelles,
If necessary. In the execution of the new
policy.