New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-16
To BAR THE DARDANELLES
BRITAIN WARNS RUSSIA.
Pressure ON Porte to AILozp Black
Sea Fleets Passage.

Berlin. Jan. 15.-That Russia has applied to
Turkey for permission to send her Black Sea
fleet through the Dardaneles is confirmed
authoritatively here and 1t is also asserted that
Russia will renew the application and press for
Turkish consent. Germany's attitude un-
changed from the time the four unarmed Rus
sian torpedo boat destroyers passed through the
straits in 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 committed as Japan
The position in which Great Britain now stands,
here. brought about by public opinion and by
the feeling that Russia would yield IL only a
firm attitude shown. has impressed and is
impressiug the Russian statesmen.
The readiness with which the United States
associated herself with Japan in pressing for
the signature of the commercial treaties with
. .chbs,is sessser fsst nsributog = IA fsl..it,~
IN ST Petersburg that This IS not the moment to
fight The decision for war or peace now rests
with the Cars advisers. and symptoms are visi-
bic here that the decision will be peace by large
ly admitting Japan's demands
The views of the British editors, partially de-
rived from the Foreign Office in London. are
looked upon here not only as significant but as
part OF great diplomatic game against Russia.
The skill Japan has shown through the negotia-
tioDs evcitaS +ba ro-x.,.~
Office.
London, jan 15-The report published in the
United States by news agency to the effect
that the British government had Informed Japan
that any attempt of the Russian Black Sea fleet
to pass the Dardanelles would be checked by de-
cisive action is untrue. Lord Lansdowne to-day
however. expressed disbelief that Russia had
any intention of trying TO send a fleet through
the DardaneIles. adding that it would be an OBJ
vious breach of treaty in which Great Britain
could not possibly acquiesce.
By the Treaty OF London. signed in 1871 by the
five great powers OF Europe and by Turkey the
Sultan was pledged to maintain the 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 time.
the treaty bound the powers to observe this rule.
This was confirmed by the Treaty of Paris In 1856
and by the Convention OF 1871 which forth that
'the principle OF closing the straits such as II has
been esta blished. is maintained
At the Berlin Congress on the Eastern question,
in 1878. the Russian plenipotentaries insisted in
reply to a statement made by Lord Salisbury that
in their opinion. the principle of the closing
straits is a European principle and that the exist
ing stipulations are binding on all the powers
only as regards the Sultan. but regards all the
powers signatory to these transactions" The
Treaty OF Berlin ratified August g. 1878. provided
that the Treaty of Paris OF 1856 and the Treaty
London of 1871 were maintained when not modified
by the new treaty thus continuing the enforcement