The sun., 1901-11-07
In the Mediterranean /.


The descent Of the French squadron
on the island of Mitylene off the coast
of Asia Minor about midway between
Smyrna and the entrance from the
Egean Sea to the Dardanelles, is Of dip
lomatic and military importance. The
reasons given for the occupation OF Nifty
lene and the seizure of the Custom House
stations on the island as security for the
payment of the French money claims.
and as a material guarantee for the full
flment of the Sultan's promise regard
ing the other demands made by the
French Government, are more specious
than convincing. The true causes of the
action are not mentioned
The reason given why Salonica in
Macedonia was not selected as the port
from which the indemnity is to be col
lected may be accepted without dis
cussion. II is different, however, with
Beirut in Syria. The probability that
there would have been an immediate
clash with Great Britain was sufficient
to prevent the French squadron heading
in that direction or to any other point
in the neighborhood Of Cyprus or Egypt
To avoid undesirable complications a
port had to be selected out of the zone
of conflicting interests. The French
Government was thus limited TO the selec-
ton Of Smyrna where, although British
commercial and railway interests are
considerable, France and Germany have
quite as important interests.
The customs collections at Smyrna
are second only 10 those OF Constan-
tinople, and if the object of the French
Government had been merely to obtain
payment of its money claims, Smyrna
was, next 20 Salonica. the port naturally
indicated. The occupation would have
been short one, and disturbance to
trade. il any, would have been confined
TO a minimum. But a short occupation
Ia apparently just what the French Gov
ernment does not desire. The other
claims cannot be settled ofhand they
are complicated. and involve issues that
do not appear on the surface. This is
the case more particularly with the
question Of the protection Of the re-
ligious orders. Although the Porte Is
the other party 10 the negotiations, II Is
really the German Government with
which issue is being joined.
Ever since the Russo Turkish war Of
1871 the German Government has IA "a
greater or lesser degree claimed aud
exercised the right 10 protect the Cath
sllos OF German nationality 10 the QUO
man Empr. This Nas ia direct con
hlot with the charge held by irsuoc a.
the flde-l Daughter of ,Ae church
from tlmos pasi. 60 ap 49, guardian 81
the Interests oi th" ho'y Hor and pro
tsotor 81 Cathullus iff..prclsr 81 na-
uonaliy in thr Ottoman duuiuiDnf
Rsluuant 49, thr Sultan is ar all tu.-
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