THE DARDANELLES INCIDENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 7, 9 January 1903, Page 3

THE DARDANELLES INCIDENT.

RUSSIAN GUILE. GERMAN NEU. RALITY. ITALY AND AUSTRIA'S FRIENDSHIP. PEE PRESS ASSOCIATION. London, January 7. It transpires that Ru«sia was about to despatch four torpedo ve r s'ls through ihe Dirdanellw, but Britain protfsted, at the same time reserving the righ'; to demand timilir privilege for hers If. Russifi, on the ground that torpedos have not yet b=en received as armamen's, maintains that thay are d;sarmed vessels flying a commercial fl ig and not war ships. R'uter's Agency states thut Grm»ny takos a neutral attitude in tha matter, and informed Russia cf this faCi months ago. It is expected that Italy and Austria will fupport Great Britain's att : - tude ovor tte Dardanelles incident France will remain neutral. Thf re is much indignation in Britain over Germany's refusal to upheld the treaty cf Paris. The London newspapers request officii) information regarding the incidtntassofsr only the Porte's version h is been published. The Daily Tekgraph states that two Russian torpedo boats passed the Dardanelles a for i night ago. FRANCE SUPPORTS RUSSIA. Received 8. 11 CO p.m. Pabis, January 8. It is stated in official circles at Paris that, in the event of Russia protesting against the claim of British war ships to enter the Dirdanelles, M. Dalcasf 6 will support France's ally, Russia, j acording as the .clauses of the duil alliance cover the contingency. France considers that the observing of treaties such as those relating to the Dardanelles is subservient to the interests of her allies, and that there is nothing to compel intervention to seoure such observance.