Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-10-14
THE GUNBOAT BANCROFT
No Orders Given Her to Attempt to Force the
Dardanelles
Use to Which She May Be Put by
Minister Terrell in Case
of Emergency.

The closest inquiry fails to disclose any
change in the policy of the administration
toward the Turkish question, and in par
ticular respecting the movements of the
little dispatch boat Bancroft From the
first the officials of both the State AMI
Navy Departments have been reticent on
+ this subject, and have consistently refused
to say where the boat was going further
than to make public the official orders to
her commander. to report on arrival at
Gibraltar to Admiral Selfridge, command
ing the European station, and take all fur
Their orders from him.
1t can. however, be stated positively that
10 orders have gone forward since the
original Instructions to Admiral Selfridge,
nor are any on the way now touching the
future movements of the Bancroft or other
vessels of the European squadron The
Bancroft. upon arrival at Gibraltar, was
ordered by Admiral Selfridge to proceed to
Smyrna. and she is due at that place in a
day or two. The Cincinnati is also on the
way to the same point. and will probably
arrive about the same time. At Smyrna
are now assembled the flagship San Fran
cisco and the cruisers Minneapolis and
Marblehead. The purpose of this gathering
OF the fleet according to official informa-
ton. is to meet the Cincinnati and the Ban
croft which bring out drafts of new men
to take the place of tine sailors on the sta
to expire. for II they are kept aboard
longer the government must pay them ex-
ira compensation. The men relieved are
to be placed on the Marblehead, whose
place on the station will be taken by the
Cincinnati. and the Marblehead will then
come home.
Would Not Force the Dardanelles.
Naval officers one and all ridicule the idea
that the little Bancroft will undertake to
force the passage of the Dardanelles, for
this would be absolutely impossible single
handed. and even II she succeeded she
would be helpless when she arrived off
Constantinople The probability is that she
has been sent to Turkey to serve whatever
useful purpose she can. either as a dispatch
boat to communicate between the larger
vessels of the United States squadron to
accommodate Minister Terrell. Undoubt-
eddy the minister would like to have hear
the United States legation some vessel
which would serve a refuge for the le-
cation people and Americans in CONSTANT
nople in case of rioting. but it will be left
TO his discretion to get the right of way for
the boat through the Dardanelles If he
wants her. The State Department has pre-
ferred no request for her admission to the
Dardaneles. and in view of the semi official
announcement Of the porte that such per
mission would not be granted 20 any power
not party to the treaty OF Berlin, 1t is
unlikely that this government would SUBJ
ject itself to the snub that might be ex-
pected If demand were made. it Is re-
garded as probable that in the event of real
disturbance at Constantinople Uhe only
case in which the Bancroft could be Of the
slightest use from any point of view. Mr..
Terrell would be able to get permission to
bring the ship through without serious cb-
lection. but in the present aspect Of Turkish
affairs there Is no reason to look for any
emergency in immediate prospect calling
for such action.
Officers Have Nothing to Say.
Therefore although 1T is not improbable
that the Bancroft may go to CONSTANT
ncple In course Of time without opposition
from the Turkish authorities, 1t is not re-
garded as at all likely that she would de-
powers to the treaty Of Berlin. by an at
tempt to force passage Of the Darda
nelles, in spite Of their objection. Secre
tary OlEey and Secretary Herbert each an
swered all inquiries on this subject today
had nothing whatever to say about it,
Nothing Known in London.
/ LONDON. October 14-Inquiries made at
the foreign Office here show that nothing
is known there concerning the alleged In
tentions of the United States government
to force the passage Of the Dardanelles
with the cruiser Bancroft. supported by
the other vessels Of the United States
squadron in European waters.
1t was further stated at the foreign office
that no application had been addressed to
any of the foreign powers TO support the
United States in forcing a passage Of the
Dardanelles.