The Saint Paul globe., 1896-12-10
FLEETS TO BE Modified.
AGREEMENT MEANS A PRACTICAL
PR0TECTORATE FOR THE
SUBLIME PORTE.
END OF THE EASTERN QUESTION.
Ample Protection for the Armenians
Provided In the Scope of the
Plan.


Post today confirms the repeated state
ments on the same subject cabled to
the Associated Press during the past
two months, in saying that it learns
from high quarter that an under
standing has been arrived at between
Great Britain, Russia and France for
the settlement of the so-called Eastern
question, which has for generations
been troubling statesmen of Europe
The Post adds that the Russian Black
sea fleets and the British and
French Mediterranean fleets will
shortly be modified in con
tiguity to the Bosphorous and the
Dardanelles, in order to enforce, If
bassies 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 con-
sented. To this end, it is asserted, the
allied fleets may force the passage of
the straits of the Dardanelles.
On Sept. rs, while the czar was at
Balmoral, as cabled to the Associated
Press at the time, the Manchester
Guardian made a similar statement.
also alleging that the cooperation Of
France had been purchased by a pro-
vision regarding Egypt, and adding
that the scheme foreshadowed the neu-
tralization of both Egypt and Turkey,
under an international guarantee with
their rulers under international tute-
late.
Dispatches from Constantinople, un-
der date of Oct. 1, seemed to confirm
the story, and a dispatch to the Asso-
ciated Press, from London, Oct 2, said
that the Vienna correspondent Of the
Daily Mail, telegraphed his paper as
follows:
'"The powers have agreed upon a
pacific settlement of the Eastern ques-
ton, honorable to all parties and amply
guaranteeing the security of the Ar
menians."
ARMENIAN ZONE"
The same correspondent on October
5, as then cabled to the Associated
Press papers wired from Vienna de-
cla ring that the agreement of the pow
ers for he settlement Of the Turkish
problem, which he had the good au-
thority for publishing includes the for
nation of an Armenian zone in the
Turkish empire, on the basis of the
Jewish pale in Russia, the powers
guaranteeing the safety of the Armen5
ians therein with the idea that tne
zone would be the germ Of a new Ar
nienian state.
The Mail correspondent added .'the
active operations will be undertaken
by England. France and Russia, while
Italy will cooperate if necessary
On October 8, dispatch from Paris
to the Associated Press said that it
was announced there that France, Rus
sia and Great Britain had arrived at
an entente in regard to Turkey, and
that it was expected that these powers
would Immediately dispat tch to- the
porte a vigorous note demanding the
adoption of reforms which secure the
safety Of Arnenians In the Turkish
empire.
The Daily News of London, on oc.
tober 81, published a dispatch from
Paris, saying it was stated there that
through the efforts of the czar as an
intermediary, an agreement had been
reached between the Russian, French
and British governments for the set
tlcment of the troubles in Turkey, add
ing thai should the plan of settlement
decided upon be unOppOsed by the two
members of the dreibund, the third
member will be obliged to accept it.
Other developments were cabled from
time to time. Finally, on Dec. 3 this
and all the other developments having
been cabled to the Associated Press on
the several dates given), the Daily
News announced that the powers would
shortly consider a project having for
its object the occupation by Russia OF
the northwestern corner of Turkey.
formed by the Bosphorus and the Black
sea, to about halfway down the Bos.
phorus, which, together with the Helle-
spont. 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.
In the above collection of dispatches,
and especially from the Daily News
announcement of Dec. 3, will be found
the basis Of the sensational report cir
culated by news agency and pub
lished in New York newspaper today
as a special dispatch from London.
There is no doubt that the powers
have been for many months past com
ing to an understanding regarding
Turkey" and there is reason to believe
that the better feeling now existing be-
tween Great Britain, France and Rus
sia is fastening the solution of the
veXing Eastern question.