Dec. 11.
Ar first sight it is not altogether easy to discover the precise significance of the proposals which have been made to the Porte by Russia. According to the latest telegrams M. Sassonoff, the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, has stated in an interview that no formal demands ave been made. He did not however, deny that "conversations" have actually taken place, but stated that they had been brought about by the fear that the laying of mines by Tarkey might have an injurious effect upon commerce la the Sea of Marmora and the Black Sea. "Conversations" have in the past few years acquired a dangerous popularity in international diplomatic circles, dangerous because the air of secrecy with which they are conducted and the misleading reports, which are the inevitable outcome, naturally inspire a suspicion for which the actual negotiations may provide little justification. M. Sassonoff, it may be noted, has expressed himself only as to the cause of the discussions, not as to their object. And, unless doubt is to be cast upon the authenticity of a previous message, the connexion between cause and possible effect will be regarded with interest, not to say anxiety, not only at Constantinople, but by the Powers of Burope at large. Russia, it is stated, is asking the Porte to open the Dardanelles to Russian men-of-war, and has suggested a "direct understanding," the terms of which should be communicated to the Powers only after a settlement has been effected. In Constantinople the opinion is held that the Porte will decline to entertain the proposal singly, in view of the international character of the treaties regulating the passage of the straits. On the face of it, it can hardly be argued that the passage of Russian men-of-war through straits carefully defended by mines would be likely to candace to the safety of commerce or of the men-of-war themselves; while if such passage is intended as a preventive measure, it may be suggested that other methods of inducing Turkey to alter her plans might be found less fruitful of international complications.
That any proposal of alteration in the status quo of the Dardanelles would be productive of such complications is certainly suggested by the previous political history of the straits. The fortifications of the Dardanelles have recently become
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.