Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-26
RUSSO-TURKISH COMPACT The United Press Says It Actu-
 ally Exists, BUT IT CANNOT BE PROVED The London Papers Suggest the Open Anuexa-
 tion of Egypt. THEIR QUARREL WITH US IS ENDED English Papers and Speakers Call for Peace, and Declare That Not 5 Per Cent of the Americans Really De-
 sire War.
THEIR QUARREL WITH US IS ENDED

London, Jan. 25.-Though the govern ment officials here and in Paris and Ber- lin concur in denying all knowledge of all offensive and defensive alliance between Russia and Turkey, little confidence is placed in their professions of ignorance Semi official denials in case like this are to be expected, especially when the defeated diplomats wish to conceal the truth or prevent it's being told. It is now recalled here that when a London paper disclosed the existence of the Unkiar- Skeessi agreement which gave Russia the right of intervention in the interna- tional affairs of the Turkish empire, Lord Palmerston told parliament that he knew nothing of such an agreement having been entered upon. It was quite six months after the conclusion of the Un- kiar-Skelessi treaty that the British goV- ernment, on information vouchsafed by Russia, received absolutely definite news that there was such a treaty.
 Within three weeks parliament will as- semble. The United Press has the resolu- tion to predict that ere then the evidence of the existence of a Russo-Turkish com pact will become so complete that further denials will be impossible. In the minis terial circle 1t is believed that Sir Philip Currie, the British ambassador to Turkey, Will be recalled SnOfIly, dHu tHdl tHiS dS- tion is due to the fact that he has been overreached and discredited in Constan- tinople. His name is no longer associated with the succession of Lord Dufferln when the latter retires from his post as ambassador to France.
 The Speakers Constantinople corre- spondent whose accurate inside informa- tion gives his communications high reiia- bility, has written, under date Of January IS, that Russia is the absolute master of the situation. The secret compact guar antees the integrity of the Ottoman em- pire. Russia agreeing to assist in the restoration of order in Kurdistan and also to defend the Dardanelles. France has made her bargain with Russia, and will consequently give her assent to the compact Germany is currying- favor with the czar. Austria is hampered by her. German connection, and will main- tain a pessimist neutrality and await her opportunity. This, the correspondent adds, is the end of the intervention of the powers-a triumph for Russia and the de- feat and humiliation of Great Britain.
 The papers interested in discounting the reports of the alliance dwell upon its improbability, as the treaty of Paris placed the passage of the -DardaneleS in the control of the powers. not the porte The Paris convention did not de- bar the sultan from giving his consent to the passage of the Dardanelles, but with view to avoiding direct defiance of the treaty of Paris, it is believed that the Russo-Turkish treaty is not embodied in formal treaty, but consists rather Tn an exchange of notes
 As the entente practically makes Fur key Russian protectorate. 1t is expected that it will be attended by a cessation of the Armenian massacres, the czaf henceforth sharing the sultan's responsi- bilities
 The London papers, discussing what Great Britain will do, varously suggest the open annexation of Egypt, the selz- ire of an island near the DardanelleS and the sending of fleet to Constan.ino- ple They generally conclude, however, that it will be best for Great Britain In the meantime to lie low.
 Unless some of the jngo politicians in- vent a new scare, it may be said that the sensation caused by the Venezuela bound ary dispute is finally played out.
 All voices here from the press and plat form call not only for peace, but for an increase of amity with the United states. The cable dispatches sent here rom America announcing fresh Anglephope deyelopments on the part of the congress do not excite an extra throb of the pubic pulse or lessen the offensive protests by public speakers of Great Britain's friend ship for America. The Right Hon. James Bryce, member of parliament and presi- dent of the board of trade in the last lib eral administration, in an address to his constituents in the south division or Ap- erdeen, declared that not per cent or the Americans desired war with England conflict would shock the feelings or the majority of the citizens of the United States, as it would shock the feelings of the British. Apart from the ties of a blood, friendship and literature, the two nations were. so eminently practical that they would never fight over an issue so ludcrons and trivial.
 The Marquis of Lansdowne, secretary of state for war, while not so cock sure as Mr. Bryce about quarrel between kindred peoples being inconceivable, held that solution of the difficulty would leave the two nations firmer friends than ever.
 Sir Jonh Lubbock, member of parlia" ment formerly president of the London chamber of commerce, speaking at a ba n- a,,et given by the associated chambers of commerce last night, dilated on the commercial aspects of the dispute. He estimated that the territory in dispute between Great Britain and Venezuela was not worth over -f500,0 ,000, while war between the former and the United States would cost each country at least f20O, 100000. Common sense, he added, forbade such conflict.
 The Spectator, recurring to the Amer ican dislike for England, laments the fact that there Is abundant evidence to show that such dislike exists. It says the Americans seem to be utterly unaware of the strength or the sentiment ieit here for the United States. feeling, the Spec tator declares, that rises in many minds to a passion There is no class, rich or poor without the warmest sympathy for the Americans and their institutions. How. 1t asks, can a reciprocal affection be cultivated? England, it contends. must not allow its good will to be con qnered by American expressions of dis like. When the American becomes alive to the true feeling here there will be an enormous change in public opinion in the United States.
 The Spectator seems to protest too much. The practical issue of these dec 1arations bellttling the matters in dis pute ought to be British acceptance of