The evening times., 1896-12-12
WHAT 0URfHT WOULD Do
II Dardanelles Are Forced 1t Will
Be Right There.
IT'S GUNS WILL BE SILENT
British. French and Russian ships
VIII Do the Fighting Admiral
Selfridge VIII BE Ready to En-
force Minister Terreli's Demands.
VIII Sust ain Absolute Neutrality.

New York, Dec. ia Sun special from
Washington says:
Government officials at Washington
are as yet without official information
regarding the agreement reached by the
powers for intervention in the eastern
question, but say that until the British
foreign office makes public its terms and
notifies the representatives OF the various
foreign countries having legations in Lon
don, the State Department cannot be ad-
vised by Ambassador Bayard of the no
mentous news.
IL is said tnat while intimation has been
received that progress was being made le-
tween Russia and France and Great Britain
which promised a satisfactory settlement
OF the whole Tur kish problem, so sudden
determination To inform the sultan OF the
ultimatum was not anticipated.
one uI The - ssisianu srci etarits OF State
practically acknowledged yesterday that
the reason why Minister Terrell had hot
met the cruiser Bancroft at Smyrna and
taken her to Constant!nCple, was that an
intimation had been received from Russia
that in a very brief time reforms in Tur-
key would he carried out through the
combined efforts oil the powers, the Oar
danelies opened the navles OF the world,
and that any attempt then TO secure the
United States euardship against the
protest OF the porte might tend 10 cuinpii-
cate matters ard interfere with proceeding
OF the pr pfogram.
THE BANCR0FT's MOVEMENTS.
All that time dispatches to newspapers
stated in positive terms that the Bancroft
would proceed through the Dardanelles
1t was the purpose OF Minister Terrell
TO carry out the plan then set forth, and
there is little doubt that II would have
been peaceably accomplished. and not a
gun turned on the little vessel when the
porte was brought to recognize the United
States would sustain its contention that
the straits were not closed TO American
vessels.
Minister Terrell had little doubt then, il
Is now officially kno wn, of his ability TO
secure a firman, and the Bancroft would not
have been aDcnoreI IN the Golden Horn,
butfor the unexpected Developments in the
Turkish question, arising out or the rapid
work accomplished by Russia in bringing
the other European powers to agree to con-
cert or action in settling the whole affiir.
Since the Bancroft incident. it has been
known there that II was only a question
of short time whenltfe visit OF the czar
to England and France would bear fruit.
and that Europe would hear Of the agree
ment reached between the powers TO act
Jointly in dealing with tho sultan, or use
force IL diplomacy failed
1T is now asserted that the Presidents
reference in his message to the necessit y of
retaining naval fleet in eastern waters
was due 70 the expected break III the sui
ian's administration. which. when il CONES,
will no doubt require the presence OF every
vesselthen tolook after americans stationed
iii the small cities along the Syrian coast.
The prevalent impression here, and es-
pecially at the state Department, which is
kept thoroughly advised when anything oc-
ours in Europe regarding Turkey, is that
the sultan will accept the propositions to
be submitted by the powers and promptly
acquiesce In all demands made of him
wHATTHEFLEET WILL DO.
In the event-of coercion being employed
the attitude of the United States will be
one Of strict neutrality. 1t will not at once
permit our ships to follow the European
fleets through the straits, but will keep
the vessels under Admiral Selfridge in close
proximity, SO that no opportunity be lost to
give prompt aid to American interests inthe
interior following the entrance of the fleets
and the assumption Of control OF affairs at
Constantinople by the powers.
Should the fleets be compelled to force
the Straits, II is believed blythe Navy De-
partment that the vessels of the United
States squadron would follow soon after
ward, in order to be on hand off Constan-
tinople to enforce demands that might
follow from Minister Terrell for protec-
tinn by the Porte OF all commercial inter-
estS in the dty.
The passage of the fleet, however.
on such mission, the officials here say.
could not be construed by the powers as
q desire to Cooperate with them in the
reformation plan, but simply in pursuance
of the policy OF the government TO send
warships to Constantinople at any time
when il was believed their presence was
mandatory to assist the minister Every
move and development from now on relat.
ing TO the Eastern questi on will be
watched by the Washington authorities
with the deepest concern