The herald., 1896-01-25
An Intimate Understanding Be-
tween Russia and Turkey
TURKEYS IMPECUNIOSITY
May Have Driven Her TO Seek Such an
Alliance
Red Cross Relief Work VIII Be Pushed and
Contributions Are Asked--The Sul-
tan Gives Consent

Associated Press Special Wire
NEW YORK, Jan. 24.-A special to the
Herald from Berlin says: A Turkish func-
tionary asserts that no alliance exists be-
tween Russia and Turkey, but that there is
an understanding between the two coun-
tries of SO intimate a character that it
practically amounts to the same.
IT MAY BE TRUE
LONDON, Jan. 25.-In spite of the deni-
ais, official and semi-oflicial. that have
been made from many quarters. the report
of the defensive and offensive alliance be-
tween Russia and Turkey which was print
ed by the Pail Mall Gazette on Thursday
is not viewed with entire incredulity. Spe-
cial dispatches published by the London
newspapers this afternoon from the Euro
pean capitals, notably from Berlin. Paris
and Vienna, show tendency to admit the
possibility that Russo-Turkish treaty has
been conclu ded. 1t is pointed out with OBJ
vious plausibility that Turkeys impecu-
mostly may have driven her to seek an al
lance as a means of obtaining loan, as
was the case recently with China. If such
a treaty has in fact been concluded 1t Will
likely be kept secret until the last mo-
ment. So far there has been no authentic
confirmation of the report from any quar-
ter.
A dispatch from Constantinople quotes
all interview with the grand vizier, Hall
Riffat Pasha, in which he is said to have
denied the existence of the reported offen-
sive and defensive alliance between Russia
and Turkey.
RED CROSS WORK
NEW YORK, Jan. 24-The national Ar
menian relief corps has issHed an an
nouncement which is in part as follows:
Now the president of the American Ma
tional Red Cross society, Miss Clara Bar
ton, and her staff have left for Turkey, the
general work of raising funds and organ
izing Armenian relief committees through
out the United States will be pushed with
redoubled efforts by the national relief
committee. The president of this commit
tee is Justice Brewer of the supreme court
of the United States, and the treasurers
are Brown Brothers & Co. of New York,
Boston and Philadelphia. In case the Red
Cross should be prevented from entering
upon the work of distribution the commit
tee says it is able to give assurance that all
the funds will reach the Sufferers through
responsible agencies.
THE PORTE CONSENTS
WASHINGTON, Jan. 24.-Owing to the en-
ergetic efforts of Minister Terrell, Miss
Barton and party will he perla'tted by the
IurKl Sn government 10 uistriesnto !ehSi I"
distressed Armenians, although the Rec
Cross will not figure in the work. The
news came to the state department in q
cabIegram from the minister, in which he
says that while the porte refuses such per.
mission to the Red Cross, he will recognize
any person the minister names, and ap'
proves of The distribution of relief in the in
terror of Turkey, provided the Turkish au-
thorities are kept informed of what they
are doing.
THE ARABEKIR RIOT
LONDON, Jan. 24.-A Constantinople dis
patch to the Chronicle says that letters re-
ceived there from Arabekir report that
1900 Armenians were killed in the re cent
riot, the slaughter being mostly done with
axes and choppers.