15 AUGUST 1891, Page 2

There is some agitation at Vienna as to the right

of Russia to pass ships containing, or said to contain, troops through the Dardanelles. The Porte, however, is undoubtedly in its strict right in refusing permission for any ship which can properly be called a ship-of-war to pass the Dardanelles. And if the Porte refuses to permit Russia to break the rule, it would undoubtedly be supported by every Power in Europe except France. The Porte is too sensitive as to Constantinople to play into Russian hands.