The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-10-31
France Decides to No Longer
Temporize With Turks.
Naval Squadron Sails From
ToulOn Under Sealed Orders.
Will Put in at a Greek Port For
Further Instructions.
Probable Plan is to Seize Gus.
toms Receipts at Smyrna.

Paris, Oct. 31.-A squadron of the
French Mediterranean feet, composed
of three battleships and two cruisers
under the command of Admiral Cal
laird, has proceeded from Toulon to the
Levant to make a naval display against
Turkey
A foreign office official, in communi-
eating the foregoing to the corresponds
ent here of the Associated Press said:
1.-THE squadron sailed with sealed or
ders and proceeds first to Greek port,
where the admiral will receive definite
instructions as to carrying out his seal
ed orders. / am not at liberty to say
what the sealed orders are but the seiz-
ure of the customs at Smyrna would
probably be a very effective way OF
convincing the sultan that Frances
patience is exhausted and we have de-
cided to enforce an immediate execu-
ton of the Turkish governments en-
gagements. We however. are very
hopeful that the sultan will not compel
us to go to that extreme.
"Our squadron will not reach the
Greek port before Sunday. The Turk
ish government has thus still three days
grace and we trust in the meantime, to
receive complete satisfaction. We have
acted very considerably toward Turkey
hoping, up to the last moment that she
would carry out her engagements, and
it is only now. when we find that there
is no serious indication of her doing SO,
that we have reluctantly resolved to
put stronger pressure to bear in the
shape of a naval demonstration. 1t Is
now two months since the French am
bassador, M. Constans, left Constanti-
nople. His departure failed to produce
ha n off nf1 ha tf*nr
even the quays and Tubini questions,
which were settled by the sultan's
trades, remain unsatisfied.
"The internal situation in the Turk
ish empire deferred us, for some time,
from taking drastic measures to enforce
our demands. But the dignity of France
could not permit the present state OF
affairs to be prolonged indefinitely We
sincerely hope the sultan will fully ap-
preciate the fact that we cannot any
longer be trified with, and relieve us
of taking further steps to safeguard our
The official was asked what would
happen in the event of the French
squadron being ordered to seize the GUS
toms and if the Turkish authorities re-
sisted and he replied:
THAT is a very unlikely contingency
but If it occurs suppose we shall have
to lombard the port. We do not want
will be any occasion for it"
NO MONEY TO PAY SOLDIERS.
Constantinople, Oct. 31-A mutinous
demonstration was made in front of the
admiralty offices Tuesday by 600 officers
and non-commissioned Bashibazouk
which caused dismay among the occu-
pants of the Yildiz palace. The pay OF
those who took part in the demonstra-
tion is several months in arrears and
only a promise of prompt settlement
prevented the carrying out of threats of
further action. The payments of all
the troops. with the exception of the
marines, is made with fair regularity
because they furnish the guard at the
weekly Selamlik, and discomfort among
them might result in serious conse-
quences to Sultan Abdul Hamid.