Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-06
Agreement of Great Britain,
France and Russia to Fight
as Unit Discouaging.
BELLIGERENTS TRY HARD
TO INFLUENCE PORTE
Turkey Advised of Peril in Joining
Germany-Adherence to Con-
traband Agreement.

Hopes of President Wilson and secre-
tary Bryan that the warning powers OF
Europe might indicate through their conf
mon diplomatic agents, ambassadors
ministers and consuls to the United
states a willingness to discuss plans for
peace went glimmeriug. last night. when
II was learned that Great Britain, France
and Russia had agreed not to make peace
except by mutual consent
This determination of the triple entente
is regarded by officials and diplomats
here as an indication that the war will
be fought to decisive finish On all
sides the announcement was received as
meaning the inevitable proIongation of
the war.
Diplomats of the allied powers inter
preted the agreement resolution OIL
the part of Great Britain and Russia to
wage their warfare in every quarter. ir
respective of reverses in France From
all parts of the globe colonial troops are
being gathered by England.
Contraband Agreement.
Great Britain first formally notified
the United States of her intention to
abide by the declaration of London. when
Sir Cecil Spring Rice, the British am
bassador. returned here two weeks ago.
Both Germany and Great Britain fol-
lowed the declaration in their recent an
nouncements of lists OF absolute and con-
ditional contraband.
All belligerent countries, however. have
informed the State Department that they
would adhere to the London rules, only
with certain notifications which are the
subject of diplomatic negotiations as spe-
cial cases arise.
Hope that the gathering strength of the
triple entente might yet impress Turkey
with the wisdom of remaining neutral
was revived among diplomats. though
there was a complete absence of advices
from Constantinople. That the allies had
again endeavored to convince Turkey OF
the necessity of preserving her neutral
ity, as reflected in yesterdays London
dispatches, dovetails with recent advices
to the American government.
The contest in diplomacy between Ber-
lin and London has been causing consid-
cradle worry around the world In the
last few days the allies, 1t Is understood.
have expected Turkey openly to align
herself with Germany and Austria, but
the delay in the porte's action, construed
by many as merely a means of COM
pleting military preparations. neverthe
less has produced ray of hope that tie
war party in Constantinople is cOntendine.
that Turkeys finances were SO consumed
in her last wars that a new CONFLICT
would be economically ruinous and that
her Mediterranean ports would be at the
mercy of the Anglo-French fleets. while
the Balkan states waged a separate war
on land.
Efforts to influence Porte.
All these considerations have been
placed before the porte by diplomats rep
resenting the allies. Last reports. how
ever, show wavering, with the military
arm of the Ottoman Empire preparing
industriously for all eventualities.
Reports that Greece had announced
her intention of remaining neutral We're
regarded as likely to have an encourage
ing effect at Constantinop.e. The deci-
sion of the porte on war and peace de-
ponds almost entirely on what the align
ment will be in the Balkans. Today II
was learned on high authority here that
Turkey was not SO sure of Roumanta's
support as previously.
Roumania it was said. had had Sc
cret alliance with Austria for some time
and has always harbored a grudge
against Russia. The Roumanians, how
ever. are racialIy Slavic. and latest init
nations are that they plan to onset any
help which Bulgaria might give to Tur-
KEY circumstance believed to have
caused the porte to delay action until
it can learn more the intentions OF It's
northern neighbors.
No adviceS We're received yesterday
from Ambassador Morganthau at Con-
stantinople about the situation in Turkey
and the Balkan states. Secretary Bryan
conferred with one of the secretaries OF
the Turkish embassy arranging Tor the
advance of funds to the embassy here in
exchange for money given by the
Turkish government to the American
embassy.