The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-16
TURKEY MUST NOT OPEN
THE STRAITS TO RUSSIA

LONDON, Jan. 15.-The report published
IN the United States by a news agency to
the effect that the British government had
notified Japan that any attempt of the Rus
sian Black sea fleet to pass the Dardanelles
would be checked by decisive action is un-
true. Foreign Secretary Lansdowne to-day
expressed disbelief that Russia had any in
tention Of trying TO send a fleet through the
Dardanelles, adding that il would be an OBJ
vious breach of treaty in which Great Brit
ain could not possibly acquiesce.
BERLIN, Jan. 15.-That Russia has ap-
piled to Turkey for permission to send her
Black sea fleet through the Dardanelles is
confirmed authoritatively here. and 1t is also
asserted that Russia will renew the applica-
ton and press for Turkish consent. Ger
many's attitude. as at the time the four un-
armed Russian torpedo boat destroyerS
passed through the straits. September. 1902,
Is that she has no concern in the matter.
The British government is believed here
TO have identified itself more fully week
by week. with the Japanese position. until
now Great Britain Is almost deeply COM
mitted as Japan. The position in which
Great Britain now stands. according to the
view taken Of the situation here, brought
about by public opinion and by the feeling
that Russia would yield IL only a firm
attitude were shown, has impressed and is
impressing the Russian statesmen. The
eociated herself with Japan In pressing for
the signature OF the commercial treaties
with China Is another fact cOntributOry to
the feeling in St Petersburg that this is
not the moment TO fight. The decision for
war or peace now rests with the Cars ad-
visers. and symptoms are visible here that
the decision will be peace, by largely ad-
mitting Japans demands. The views of
the British editors, partially derived from
the Foreign Office In London, are looked
upon here not only as significant but as
also being part OF a great diplomatic game
somewhat discounted The skill Japan has
shown throughout the negotiations excites
admiration at the German Foreign Office.
BY treaty Of London signed in 1871 by the
five great powers of Europe and by Turkey,
cient rule OF the Ottoman empire, which
prohibited the warships OF any foreign
power from entering the Dardanelles while
Turkey was at peace and at the same time
the treaty bound the powers to observe this
rule. This vas confirmed by the treaty of
which set forth that the principle OF clos
ing the straits such as IL has established
Is maintained At the Berlin congress on
the Eastern question In 1878 the Russian
Observation-Disclosures insisted. I'm reply 10 a
statement made by Lord Salisbury that in
OF the straits IS a European principle and
that the existing stipulatons were binding
on all the pOWers. not only as regards the
Sultan but as regards all the powers sigma
tory TO these transactions. The treaty of
Berlin ratified Aug. 3. 1873. provided that
the treaty OF Paris OF 1856 and the treaty of
London or ISL were maintained when not
modified by this treaty. thus continuing the
enforcement Of the rule against warships
OF foreign powers passing the Dardanelles.