The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1896-01-11
MAY BoMBARD THE TURK,
Uncle Sam Likely to Take the Sui

tan in Hand.
Chicago, Jan. GA dispatch from
Washington says: ..Warships flying the
lean blue jackets may force the passage
of the Dardanelles and Bosphorus and
anchor at Constantinople and show the
sultan that Uncle Sam Is not to be
triled with. 1t transpires that the Bos-
phorus is likely to be the destination OF
the North Atlantic squadron OF battle
ships, instead Of the Caribbean sea. Ac-
cording to h plan arranged by Score
tary Herbert and Admiral Bunce, the
squadron should have sailed from
Hampton Roads for st. Thomas, De-
cember 81. Though every ship was
ready for sea on that date, the fleet OF
seven vessels has been held for some
reason, which the secretary of the navy
has declined to reveal. and which the
officers of the fleet have not known.
1t is now stated that Admiral Bunce,
when he visited Washington December
10, was given sealed Instructions, which
postponed the southern cruise, pending
certain developments in Turkey. Now
the cruise in southern waters may be
abandoned altogether, and the vessels
may set sail for the Mediterranean at
almost n hour. h government pro-
poses, unless Turkey responds promptly
to the demands for 5000, 900 Indemnity,
made on account of the Kharput and
Marash outrages, to make a naval DEM
onstration that will bring the sultan to
time. In its previous experience with
Turkey the government has found that
the sultan does not respond to such de-
mands easily. This .s a case where the
dignity and prestige of the United
States are believed to be at stake, and
the sultan will not be permitted to prac-
tice his customary evasion and deceit.
The American ships now in the Turk
fish waters are the Marblehead at Mer-
sine today and the a Francisco and
the Minneapolis, in the vicinity Of Alex
andretta. They are under command OF
Admiral Selfridge, aboard the San Fran
cisco, Minister Terrell at Constantine
pie, and Admiral Selfridge at Alexan-
dretta, have been in almost daily COM
munication by cable with Secretary
Olney and Secretary Herbert. Secre-
tary Herbert had a long consultation
Saturday with the president about the
situation in Turkey. On December 16
a cable was received at the state de-
partment from Constantinople, which
Secretary Olney sent in substance to
the senate. lie said:
Minister Terrell expresses the gravest
apprehension concerning the ultimate
fate of American citizens in the dis
turbed region unless the appalling mas
sacres can be stopped by the united eff
forts of the Christian powers He sees
no hope, however, of a European con-
cert to that end. He says II the mission
aries wish to leave Turkey. he can pro-
cure transportation to Christian coun-
tries, and If the people wish to remain,
he can get escort for all to the seacoast,
w%hereupon the men can return, but he
adds that the women and children
should quit Turkey"
Three weeks G a message was re-
ceived al the navy department from Ad-
miral Selfridge stating his inability to
carry out certain instructions which had
been sent him. This first suggested to
Secretary Herbert the wisdom Of send
ing more vessels to Turkey. When Min
lister Terrell filed his demands for in
IDENTITIES for the Kharput and Marash
outrages, the coolness with which they
were received by the sultan's ministers
indicated at once that they would not be
willingly complied with, and this proved
still further the Importance OF an en-
larged naval force. The departure OF
the North Atlantic squadron for the
Mediterranean will be governed wholly
by the news received from Minister
Terrell next week. In the meantime the
fleet will not sail for the south, and will
stay at Hampton Roads in readiness for
sea.