The Washington times., 1903-01-11
RUSSIAN DESIGNS ON TURKEY
MuscoVite Government Vio-
Iates Treaty Pact.
LAMSDORFF'S AUSTRIA N MISSION
Vital Question in Passage Of Dardan-
elles the Right to Ab-ogate Sol
emn Treaty obligatioas.

LONDON. Jan. 10.-The press Of Ea-
rope. while giving prominence to the in
cident Of the passage OF Russian warships
through the DardaneIIes in violation OF
the treaty Of Paris, has failed to appre-
ciate the serious gravity c. the matter.
The official world, and even the stock
exchange, realizes fully the ominous ma
ture OF the event. for consols fell sharply
on receipts Of the news Of Great Britair's
protest.
The direct issue involved is not Of
much consequence in the present oondi-
ton Of affairs. and the British govern
ment in making the protest does not care
to any vital extent whether Russia has
the privilege Of sending a feet IN or
out of the Black Sea. The great and
vital issue TO every country involved is
the question whether civilized nation
may thus, or the aimsiest pretexL, abro-
gate a solemn treaty obligation.
Nothing better, perhaps, could be ex-
pected of the Sultan, but western Europe
wants to know, ard the inquiry is equally
interesting TO the United states. whether
4 pledge given by Russia must hereafter
be regarded as subject to any evasioa
which trickery or subterfuge can fur
nish-
Treaty Pact Violated.
Russia's action in this matter is re-
garded by European pHbliCists as the
worst blow tbas has been administered
TO international probity and honor with
in recent history. It has seriously dam
aged the stability OF all international re-
lations. and has carried diplomacy back
a long distance toward the days whsn
gentIemanly ehicanery and polite double
dealing controlled international inter-
course.
Some rather alarmist reports have
been in circulation in the past day or
two II regard to Russlass Immediate IN
teutfoE,l IN the near East Thus The we'll
known s. Petersburg correspondent o.
the Paris SoleII' writes IN regard to
the present journey OF Count LamsdorG.
the Russian minister Of foreign affairs,
TO AUSTRIA
Not even the Gar himself could re-
move the cloud which oyerhangs this
journey. Is peace or war behind it,
"One may be certain that Russia IN
The Eastern question VIII act in concen
with Austria. and quite outside the IN
Guence Of Germany N case Of inter
vention or sharing the country. the ad-
hesion Of Vienna is certain.
Partition Of Turkey Planned.
THAT which is Imminent is the i'm
mediate and enforced cessation Of the
criminal warfare in Macedonia The
task Of Russia viii be to bring pressure
on Bulgaria, while Austria VIII do the
same on Servfs- An uItimatum. the text
Of which has already been prepared. VIII
be sent 10 the Sultan demanding re-
forms in Macedonia.
If. Is anticipated. be refuses to grant
these reforms. Austria viii occupz Al
bania Russia viii effect a landing at
Burgas. and then viii advance with tbs
BnIgarians to the Rhodope Mountains.
A naval demonstration in the Bosphor-
Us is quite upon the card
The attitude of Germany and Eng
land Viii be awaited with anxiety. Ger
many is the protectress of Turkish oP-
preston. but England can scarcely sup
port the persecution o. me Armenians-
In any event. The downfall Of the Otto
man empire is in sight
This serious forecast may or may not
re justified. It seems reasonable as
weu as charitable. however. 20 ascribs
To Russia only the weightiest motives
for her grave o6ense against interna-
ticnal morality in sending warships
through the Dardanelles IN violation of
Der pledges.