The herald., 1896-01-24
.A RUSSO.TURK|SH ALLIANCE
In Which France Also May Be
Included
ON THE LINES OF A TREATY
Formerly Made but Repudiated by Euro
pean Powers
No Official Information Has Been Received,
but Statesmen Express Little Doubt
of Russian Success

Associated Press Special Wire.
LONDON, Jan. pa dispatch to the
Pail Mall Gazette from Constantinople
daled yesterday, says an offensive and de-
fensive alliance has been concluded be-
tween Russia and Turkey.
The Pail Mali Gazette correspondent
adds that the treaty was signed at Con-
stantinople, and that the ratifications
were exc hanged at st. Petersburg between
Aarej Pasha and the czar. The basis of
the treaty is declared to be on the lines of
the Unkiarskelli agreement of 1888, by
which Turkey agreed, in the event of Rus
sia going to war, to close the Dardanelles
to war ships of all nations. This treaty
was soon abandoned, owing to the refusal
OF the powers to recognize it.
The Pail Mall Gazette correspondent also
says the French ambassador, NJ. Cambon,
conferred with the sultan yesterday, and
that it is probable France will be included
i'll the new alliance.
Commenting on the dispatch from Con-
sta1tinople, announcing the signing of a
treaty between Russia and Turkey for
offensive and defensive purposes, the Pail
Mall Gazette says: 1--WE regard the news
as true and the result of the treaty is that
the Dardenelles is the southern outpost of
Russia and Turkey is Russia's vassal. We
presume the British government will pro-
test against the treaty for all it is worth.
The information is plainly of the greatest
importance. The first intimation reached
us four days ago, but we withheld it until
the arrival of a strong confirmation was
received this morning. This brings Russia
into the Mediterranean with a vengeance,
and may necessitate the strengthening of
DIrr Hnaf rvrt pfnrr N~vsf onV
effect will be far greater. The treaty means
Turkey has realized her own impotence
against disorders, both from within and
without, and has decided to throw herself
for sefety with Russia. She is now Rus
sia's vassal, and Russia is entitled to dis
patch troops to any part of the sultan's
dominions."
NO OFFICIAL INFORMATION
LONDON, Jan. 23.-The officials of the
regarding the statement telegraphed the
Pail Mall Gazette from Constantinopie.
The officials of the Russian embassy also
deny having any knowledge of the exi at.
ence of Russo-Turkish treaty on the
basis indicated by the Pail Mall Gazette
Attention is called in well-informed circles
to the fact that while the present time i &
inauspicious for Russia, it provides argu :
ments in favor of Great Britain Joining the
1878 Great Britain completed a similar
treaty with Turkey, which secured the
island of Cyprus. Such treaty between
Russia and Turkey, it is added, might open
the way to solution of the Armenian
question, as under it Russia could occupy
Anatolia.
SENATORS INTERESTED
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23.-The Associated
Press dispatch giving the details of the
x,yr =, l. @1I l.
tween Russia and Turkey was circulated
on the floor of the senate and read with
general expressions of interest.
Senator Davis expressed the sentiments
of majority of the committee when he
said: "If true, this is the most important
diplomatic event which has occurred in the
past fifty years. 1t means that Russia can
move her armies across the Turkish bor-
ber. Such a treaty would result in the inn
mediate settlement of the Armenian ques-
ton. and if France has also entered into
the alliance, as appears probable, the re-
suit that the fleet OF those two countries
would virtually control the Mediterranean,
and that means more than any one can
now foresee. 1t means that England will
have something to do besides bully ing
Uncle SAM"
Senators Morgan, Cullom and Lodge read
the report with avidity and all remarked
upon the Importance of the news if it
should prove to be true. Mr.. Lodge said
that coalition between Russia and Tur-
key such as that indicated would mean that
England would have her hands full of busi-
ness on her own continent without inter-
fering with American affairs.
Senator Villas, who, while not a member
of the committee on foreign relations, takes
great interest in foreign questions, re-
marked that it looked as if Russia had at
last succeeded in getting a foothold in the
Mediterranean and was on the eve of vir-
tually annexing Turkey to her dominions.
He confessed that his sympathy had al
ways been with Russia in this struggle.
The French ambassador was seen, but
said he had no news on the subject and ap-
parently was dsinclined to credit the Pail
Mall Gaze,te'a statement. Other diplomats
said they were also without news.
TIE REPORT DENIED
LONDON, Jan. 23.-Dspatches to the
Daily Telegraph from Vienna and Paris
deny the report printed in the Pail Mall
Gazette of an offensive and defensive alii-
ance between Russia and Turkey.
Special dispatches from all points on the
continent all agree that nothing is known
of the alleged offensive and defensive
alliance between Russia and Turkey which
was reported in Constantinople dispatch
to the Gazette. The report is generally
discredited.