Evening star., 1901-10-31
Dispatches Fleet to the Levant to
Coerce Turkey.
DEMANDS IMMEDIATE SETTLEMENT
VIII Seize Some Port and Collect
the Customs.
POS SSIBILIT OF WAR

PARIS October 31.-The officials of the
French foreign office confirm the report
that a division of the French Mediterra-
mean fleet, composed of three battle ships
and two cruisers, under the command of
Admiral Cailard has proceeded from Tou-
lon to the Levant, to make naval demon
stration against Turkey.
A foreign office official, in communicating
the foregoing to the correspondent here of
the Associated Press. said:
The squadron sailed with sealed orders
and proceeds first to Greek port, the
Island of Syra, / think where the admiral
will receive definite instructions as to car
rying out his sealed orders. I 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
tence is exhausted, and that we have de-
cided to enforce immediate execution of
the Turkish governments engagements
We, however, are very hopeful that the
sultan will not compel us to go to that ex-
treme.
viii Reach Port Sunday.
"Our squadron will not reach the Greek
port before Sunday. The Turkish govern
ment has thus still three days grace, and
we trust in the meantime to receive COM
plete satisfaction. We have acted very con-
siderately 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 re-
solved to put stronger pressure to bear in
the shape of a naval demonstration. 1t is
now two months since the French ambassa-
a nj JjS
departure failed to produce the desired ef-
feet; on the contrary, even the quays and
Tubini questions which were settled by the
sultan's trades, remain Hnadjusted. The in
ternal situation in the Turkish empire de-
tered us for some time from taking drastic
measures to enforce our demands. But the
dignity of France could not permit the pres
ent state of affairs to be prolonged indefi-
nitely. We sincerely hope the sultan will
fully appreciate the fact that we cannot
any longer be trifed with and relieve us by
taking further steps to safeguard our in
terests. =,
May Have to lombard.
The official was asked what would hap
pen in the event of the French squadron
being ordered to seize the customs and if
the Turkish authorities resisted, and he
replied
THAT is very unlikely contingency but
II 1t occurs I suppose we shall have to
lombard the port. We do not want blood
shed. and 1 do not believe there will be any
occasion for it."
THE entire French Mediterranean squad
ron left Yesterday afternoon" says the
Ioulon correspondent of the Figaro.
while one division put in at Salins-
- Hyeres, another, composed of three bat
Tie ships and two cruisers under the COM
mand Of Admiral Caillard proceeded to the
Levant. Two thousand troops will be add
ed to this force.
Admiral Caillards orders are that If
complete satisfaction is not Immediately
given by the Ottoman government to all
the claims of France he shall seize the Gus
tom mouse OF the port nearest his squad
ron, 1t Is believed his destination is the
Island Of Mitylene or Salonika. The island
commands the entrance to the Dardanelles
and the Gulf Of Smyrna.
Turkish Soldiers Mutfny.
CONSTANTINOPLE, October 31-A mu-
tinous demonstration was made in front of
the admiralty offices Tuesday by 900 Off
GERS and non-commissioned Bashi Bazouks,
which caused dismay among the occupants
OF the YildiZ palace. The pay of those
who took part in the demonstration is sew
eral months in arrears, and only promise
or prompt settlement prevented the carry
ing out OF threats of further action The
pay OF all the troops, with the exception
OF the marines, are paid with fair regular
lty, because they furnish the guard at the
weekly seamlik, and discomfort among
them might result in serious consequences
to Sultan Abdul Hamid