THE DARDANELLES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 204, 8 May 1912, Page 4

THE DARDANELLES.

as the owner? of both shores of the Dardanelles, the Sea of Marmora and the Bosphorous, is admitted to be the sovereign of these waters. By the Convention of -London, 1841, Turkey, Great Britain, France, Austria, Prussia and Russia agreed that foreign warships should bo excluded from these waters. This was confirmed by section 10 of th« Treaty of Paris, 1856; by Convention No. 1 attached to that treaty, and again toy section 2 of the Convention of London, 1871.

The Porte can, in time of peace, allow foreign warships to pass the straits it order to execute the Treaty of Paris. Sovereigns have been allowed to visit Constantinople in warships without anyone protesting. In 1902, during the Russo-Japanese War. four Russian destroyers were allowed to pass outwards, bpt on condition that they disarmed before making the passage, and sailed under the mercantile flag. Great Britain entered a protest, and stated that she would demand similar rights if required; no other Power protested. Tj» 1904 two Russian volunteer ships pasaetf the straits, but no one made any protest, for no one had any idea that presently, when at sea, they would be converted into warships. One of them later held up a P. and 0. steamer in the Red Sea.