The Washington times., 1903-09-06
The Utmost Secrecy on
Turkish Affairs Is Now
Being Observed.
ADMIRAL COTTON MUM"
American Naval Officer Fails
to Tell of Conditions
at Beirut.

1t is considered an absolute certainty
that Secretary Hay has prepared full in
structions for the guidance of Minister
Leishman. at Constantinople. and that
these went forward by cable last night.
This Is denied at the State Department,
where the utmost secrecy Is maintained.
So far as official information goes, the
entire day presented an appearance of
quietude in the Turkish situation, with
nothing accomplished by either the State
or Navy Department. 1t was emphati-
eally declared that no advices were re-
ceived from Minister Lefshman through
out the day.
Cotton Announces Arrival.
Acting Secretary Darling received a
cablegram from Admiral Cotton an
nouncing the arrival of the Brooklyn
and San Francisco off Beirut He gave
no intimation as to the situation there
The arrival Of the gunboat Machias at
Port Said has not yet been reported
The examination Of treaties and pre-
cedents begun Friday by Secretary
Hay and Assistant Secretary Adee was
continued. IL is believed that II mat
ters become worse the United States
will make a determined effort TO have a
small warship admitted to the Darda-
nelles. On previous occasions. when
trouble has arisen at Constantinople. the
United States has made representations
to the powers signatory to the treaty
OF Berlin. and also TO Turkey, that this
Government must insist On the right TO
protect its diplomatic officers wherever
they nay be located. and that any
treaty which stnies this right cannot be
Recognized by the United States.
Awaiting a Crisis.
There is nc question but that similar
representations will be made IL the stu
alton becomes more critical than at
present II Minister Leishman should
report that his life is endangered. the
powers wiz be asked for permission to
enter the Dardanelles.
From the examina tion of treaties and
precedents at the State Department, it is
almost certain that If a condition should
arise similar To that which prevailed
at Pekin during the Boxer uprising
American warships would be ordered 70
pass the Dardanelles without the con
sent of Turkey or the powers The nee
essary explanations would be made
afterward Such condition is not now
anticipated. as il is believed here that
the powers Will before that time take
control of Constantinople and maintain
order
The Navy Prepared.
Officials OF the Navy Department. as
well as those OF the State Department.
have made a careful study of the situa-
tion. They have considered every pos
sible method by which assistance could
be rendered Minister Leishman. Consul
General Dickinson, and the other Ameri-
can officials in Constantinople. All these
calculations have been based on the pos
sibility OF matters becoming critical.
immediate execution. but all dependent
on future contingencies.
A new plan was suggested yesterday.
Ii provides for a British guardship 10 go
outside TO some open port and return
with American marines. landing them at
the closer point of access to the lega-
tion. This would diminish the degree
OF offense that might be given the Turk
ish government
Could Pass Dardanelles.
Should strenuous action become neces-
sary, naval officials here believe that
American warships could easily pass the
forts guarding the Dardanelles, and en-
Turkish soldiers are not regarded as
expert with modern seacoast defense ar
tillery The forts are known to be fully
equipped with modern ordnance. but the
craftsmanship OF the Turkish troops is
said TO be 20 better than that OF the
Spanish during the recent war with the
United States.
Acting Secretary Darling made no re-
sponse of any kind to the cablegram
from Admiral Cotton. The ships now OF
Beirut will not be disturbed Curing the
period that Admiral Cotton i5 making
his Investigation into the attack on Vice
Consul Magelssen. An alleged dispatch
purporting to give the Instructions
transmitted to Admiral Cotton by the
authorities here was pronounced false
Ii is positively said that no instru ctions
OF any character have been given Lin.
His report on conditions and the Magel-
ssen incident will first be awaited
Ii Is now believed that If Admiral Cot
tor should report sooner than is expect
ed the Brooklyn and San Francisco
would be permitted 20 remain off Beirut
until the situation at Constantinople
develops, and the officials decide what
action there is necessary.
If Minister Leishman reports matters
growing worse. IL is almost certain that
the ships viii be ordered to take aboard
the Americans at Beirut and sail north
To be ia readiness to assist those i'm
periled at Constantinople,