The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-24
Russia, According to the Alleged
Treaty, Is to Have Full, Undisputed
Sway Over the Ottoman Empire.
MAY USE THE DARDANELLES
THUS GIVING HER WAR SHIPS EN-
TRANCE TO THE MEDITERRANEAN,
And the Opportunity Of Menncing
East-The Armenian Question.
fSnecial Cable LetterA

Especial Cable Letter)
LONDON Jan. 23-Great Britain has had
surfeit of rumors in the past month, and
all have been sufficiently warlike to keep the
heads of her Majesty's staid subjects in a
whirl. But to-day the climax was reached
when it was reported that Russia and Tur-
key had concluded an offensive and de-
fensive alliance. The report caused much
excitement and adversely affected the stock
markets for time. The officials at the
Foreign Office, when questioned as to the
truth of the rumor. answered, diplomat
ically, that they had no information on the
subject. The Constantinople correspondent
of the Pail Mall Gazette, however. says the
treaty was signed at Constantinople and the
ratifcations exchanged at st. Petersburg
between Aarej Pasha and the Gar. The
basis of the treaty is declared to be on the
lines of the agreement of 1888, by which
Turkey agreed, in the event of Russia going
to war, to close the Dardaneles to war
ships OF all nations. The treaty was soon
abandoned, owing to the refusal of the
powers to recognize it. He also says that
the French ambassador, NJ. Cambon. con-
ferred with the Sultan yesterday, and that
il is probable France will be Included in
the new alliance.
The Pail Mall Gazette insists that its cor
respondents information is correct, despite
semi-offical denials from various quarters.
Editorially the paper says: I'VE regard the
news as true, and the result of the treaty
is that the Dardanelles is the southern out
post of Russia, and Turkey is Russia's vas
SAL We presume the British government
will protest against the treaty for all it is
worth. The information is plainly of the
very gravest importance. The first intima-
| ton reached us four days ago, burt we with
| held it till the arrival of strong confirma-
| ton, which we received this morning. This
| brings Russia into the Mediterranean with
| vengeance, and may necessitate the
| strengthening of our fleet in those waters.
| Politically, the effect will be far greater
| The treaty means that Turkey has realized
| her own impotence against disorders. both
| from within and without. and has decided
| to throw herself for safety into the arms
| of Russia. She is now Russia's vassal, and
| Russia is entitled to dispatch troops TO any
| part of the Sultan's dominions."
THE RUAiOR DISCREDITED.
| When the officials of the Russian en-
| bassy here were questioned, they denied
| having any knowledge of the existence of a
| Russo-Turkish treaty on the basis indicated.
The same reply was made by the Turkish
Foreign Office at Constantinople. Attention
| is called to the fact in wel-informed circles
| that, while the present time is inauspicious
| for Russia to provide arguments in favor of
| Great Britain joining the Drebund, it must
| be remembered that in 1878 Great Britain
| completed a similar treaty with Turkey,
| when she secured the island of Cyprus from
| Turkey. Such treaty between Russia and
| Turkey, it is added, might open the way
| to a solution of the Aremnian question, as
under it Russia could occupy Anatolia.
| While the rumor that an alliance has been
| effected is discredited in best informed quar-
| ters here, there is a disposition to regard
| an amicable arrangement between Russia
| and Turkey as a natural solution of the
Eastern question: question that will al
| ways remain a disturbing factor in the pol
| itics of Europe until Russia secures an out
| let to the Atlantic through the Mediterra-
| mean. Russia has enormous interests at
| stake in her southern provinces. For nearly
| six months in the year her northern ports
| and rivers are closed by ice, ST. Petersburg
| being on the sixtieth degree of north lati-
| tude In the event Of war in winter time,
| she would be at great disadvantage. She
! could not use her vast resources IN the
regions of the Black and Caspian seas with
! out long transportation over railways. but
| if she had an exit to the Mediterranean by
| way of the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles.
| the situation would be, changed. All her
| great resources could be brought into play
| in short time. Russia would be in a posi-
| ton to transport an army wherever she
| willed. War fleets could be constructed al
| the Black sea ports. which are open all the
| year round, and the ships hurried through
| the straits, the Suez canal forced, If neces-
| sary and Bombay and Calcutta reduced to
| ruins before England's vessels reached Port
| Said. But il Is not Britain's East Indian
possessions alone that would be menaced
| in case Russian war ships had the run OF
| the Dardanelles. France would soon take
Egypt. with the aid OF her ally, and Gibral-
| tar. the Atlantic key to the Mediterranean.
| might in time be reduced by the combined
| fleets of Russia and France. In fact. the
| situation that would be presented by a
| Russo-Turkish alliance. with France as a
| silent partner, might in time change the
whole map of Europe. for Russia is fully
| as aggressive as Great Britain. She has,
| however, been long held in check. for the
| reasons previously stated. but with am
bilious Car, virtual possession Of Turkey
and opportunity to speedily draw on her
| greatly underestimated resources, there Is
no telling what might happen. Russia g
enormous grain producing districts. cattle
and sheep raising plains. oil fields and much
| of her timber land are in the provinces con-
tiguous to the Black and Caspian seas.
Special dispatches from all points on the
| continent agree tina. nothing is known there
Of the alleged offensive and defensive treaty
| between Russia and Turkey. which re-
ported in the dispatch TO the Pail Mall Ga.
| zette. The report is generally discredted.
Views Of COngressmcn.
| WASHINGTON. Jan. 23.-The cablegram
giving details of the treaty alleged to have
been perfected between Russia and Turkey
was circulated on the floor of the Senate