The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-01
THURSDAYS DEVELOPMENTS.
Statement of n French OmciaI as to
the Proposed Demonstration.

PARIS, Oct. 31-The officials of the
French Foreign Office confirm the report
that division of the French Mediterranean
fleet. composed of three battleships and
two cruisers. under command OF Admiral
Caillard. has proceeded from Toulon to the
Levant, to make a naval demonstration
against Turkey.
A Foreign Office Official, in communicating
the foregoing to the Associated Press, said:
THE squadron sailed with sealed orders
and proceeds first TO a Greek port. the
Island of Syra. l think. where the admiral
will receive definite instructions as to car
ryng out his sealed orders. am not at
liberty to say what the sealed orders are,
but the seizure of the customs at Smyrna
would probably be a very effective way of
convincing the Sultan that Frances pa
tience is exhausted. and that we have de-
cded to enforce an immediate execution Of
the Turkish governments engagements
We. however are very hopeful that the Sui
tan will not compel us TO go to that eX-
treme.
Our squadron will not reach the Greek
ment has thus still three days grace. and
we trust. i'm the meantime. to receive COM
plete satisfaction. We have acted very
considerably toward Turkey. expecting up
TO the last moment. that she would carry
out her enga agements. and 1t is only now
when we find that there is no serious indi-
cation Of her doing so. that have re-
luctantly resolved TO put stronger pressure
10 bear. in the shape Of q naval demonstra-
ton. 1t is now two months since the French
ambassador NJ. COnStans. left COnStanti-
noDle. His departure failed to produce the
desired effect. On the contrary. even the
quays and tubin questions. which were
settled by the SultanS trades. remain un-
adjusted The internal situation in the
Turkish 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 appreciate the
fact that we cannot any longer be trifed
with. and relieve us of taking further steps
TO safeguard our interests.
The official was asked what would hapDen
in the event of the French squadron being
ordered TO seize the customs. and if the
Turkish authorities resisted. and he replied:
THAT is a very unlikely contingency. but if
il occurs / suppose we shall have to bonn
bard the port. We don't want bOodshed
and I do rot believe there will be any oc-
casion for it,
The decision to make a naval demonstra-
tiOn against Turkey was taken at a meet
ing of the Cabinet Tuesday at which NJ
Delcasse. the minister of foreign affairs,
explained the Sutans procraStination re-
sardire the French demands. Admiral Call
Iard's squadron consists of the armored
cruisers Admiral Pothuan. Chanzy and La
touche TreVille. the Second-Class cruisers
Du Chayla and Cassard ard the third-class
cruiser Calilee. The crews aggregate 26S
men. but the vessels will also carry landing
parties.
The newspapers approve the govern
utent's decision. The Journal deS Debats
SAYS: Everyone at ConStantinople and the
other capitals must be aware that France
and Russia are completely in accord in
this matter. Under the circumstances il Is
d:fTicuit To believe that the Ottoman gov
ernnnent viii not come TO its sense and.
recognizing it's error before il is too late.
relieve MS of the necessity of using other
means than those of diplomacy and cour-
teOus discussion.
La Lfberte remarks that the fact that Ad-
mir7l Caillard has embarked two thousand
marines i a warning TO the Porte that
France will not stop before a slight show of
re sistance. but Will go to the end even
though war should ensue.