IS it War?

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 84, 29 September 1911, Page 5

IS it War?

THE TJaPOtLITAN QUESTION. ITALY BENT ON OCCUPATION. WARLIKE PREPARATIONS. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. London, September 27. The latest information is that it is practically certain Italy will occupy Tripoli. Little fighting on the coast b expected, owing to the large Italian force available and the unlikelihood of Turkey depleting her Home garrisons. All the Italian merchantmen in Ottoman waters have been recalled. All departments of the Stock Exchange have recovered on the report that Turkey will ultimately lease Tripoli to Italy. The report is unconfirmed, but hopeful views of some amicable settlement are expressed. In Berlin and some other capitals holders of Turkish bonds paid 45 guineas in London to insure against an Italo-Turkish war in 1911. There are three hundred Italian subjects and eight hundred protected subjects ra Tripoli. Britain has four thousand subjects, including three thousand Maltese. The Anglo-Maltese colony implores the Government for help to enable them to leave the place, as Italian steamers are only carrying their own

CQuntrymen. Private advices from Tripoli state that, on the receipt of the news that the Italians contemplated an occupation, all business places were closed. The Arabs gathered in the mosques, and decided to resist the landing to the last, and, if compelled to yield, then to seek British protection. Advices have been received from Malta that the Italian warships, with the expeditionary force, are lying twenty miles off Tripoli. Italian residents feared a massacre if a landing was attempted. Rifaat Pasha, Turkish Ambassador,

expresses surprise at the situation, and ■- declares there is no Tripolitan question. Landing in Tripoli was in no way different from landing in Smyrna and Salonika. Tripoli is not a colony but a vital part of the Empire, and Turkey would have to defend its very exis- " tence as a.Sovereign State. Dr. Tittoni, Italian Ambassador here, interviewed, said that without questioning Rifaat Pasha's good faith he questioned the good faith of the Tripolitan officials, whose attitude never agreed with the good words of the Government in Constantinople.

IN THE EVENT OF WAR. TRIPOLI AT ITALY'S MERCY. OWING TO HER FLEET. THE FORCES SUMMED UP. Received 28, 10.30 p.m. ~"~ London. September 28. The Times publishes statistics showing that in the event of war there is no present indication that any large Italian or Turkish armies would collide. Italy's manifest naval superiority places Tripoli at her mercy. The Sultan's armies would be unable to proceed to the attack as long as Turkey was without the help of a naval Power capable of clearing the Mediterranean of Italian warships. Otherwise the two nations would not be unevenly matched, each having approximately a million and a quarter trained men. REMARKABLE EVENTS. ISLAMISM STIRRED. A NEW POSITION. Received 27, 11.30 p.m. London. September 2S. The Times' correspondent, who was lately in Nigeria, in an article, remarks that events are apparently shaping in a fashion calculated to stir Islam to its depths throughout Africa, with consequences that possibly will be momentous for the interests of African Powers. A few years ago Italian ambitions in Tripoli might perhaps have been achieved without much difficulty, whether morally justifiable or not, but their active expression now occurs when two circumstances have entirely altered the situation—firstly, the recrudescence of Turkey's political activity in Tripoli and its vast hinterland; secondly, the Sennssis's recognition of the Sultan's spiritual authority. The reported Italian ultimatum to Turkey is unconfirmed, either at the Turkish or Italian embassies in London.

NAVAL PREPARATIONS. RESERVISTS CALLED OUT. Received 28, 1 a.m. London, September 28. Advices from Milan state that the Duke of Abrtizzi will command the torpedo and submarine flotillas, and hoist his first flag. Brindisi, September 28. Seven warships have left Spezzia for Tripoli. Marconi has placed the whole of his wireless plant in the Mediterranean at the Government's disposal. Rservists responded with great alacrity to the summons for mobilisation. They were everywhere ovationed, except in the provinces of Ravena and Froli, where mobs of women and children lay across the rails, ineffectually attempting to prevent the departure of trainloans of reservists, who shouted: "Long live Italy! Italian Tripoli!" ANTT-MILITARY OUTBREAKS. TROOPS READY TO REPRESS THEM. Received 29, 1 a.m. Rome, September 28. Socialists, Republicans and anarchists in Some, Florence and other cities, are attempting to provoke anti-military outbreaks. The Government was compelled

to station troops to repress the out breaks.

Many railway stations arc occupied by the military. Some stone-throwing has been indulged in, and numerous arrests made.

The projected general strike proved a c«'»'iili'ti' fiasco. The extremists met and publicly harangued private assemblages, even to the extent of glorifying the regicides. The bulk of the population throughout Italy, especially in the south, and also in Sicily, arc enthusiastically in favor of the expedition. WHAT ITALY IS DEMANDING. Received 29, 1 a.m. Berlin. September 28. The Tageblatt publishes a private telegram from Vienna, stating that Italy has notified the Powers that she is demanding from Turkey practicaHy guarantees for the protection of Italian interests in Tripoli. These guarantees must be of a material nature. Italy would regard permission for the placing of an Italian garrison in Tripoli as practically protection for Italians. GERMANY'S GOOD OFFICES. TURKS WILL GRANT CONCESSIONS. Received 29, 1 a.m. Constantinople, September 28. Marshall von Bicberstein, German Ambassador, has assured the Sultan that Germany will make friendly representations to Italy on behalf of Turkey, but would be unable to promise success. There arc indications that Germany is seeking to effect a compromise, assuring Italy's dominance in Tripoli, and thus avoid an open rupture.. Vienna, September 28. It is feared in diplomatic quarters that even a partial realisation of Italy's aspiration will be a heavy blow to the Young Turks, whose prestige is already suffering. The Neue Frei Prcsse learns officially ! that Turkey is willing to make economic concessions, but nowise to grant political privileges, and that Turkey" will regard the landing of troops in Tripoli as a "causus belli."

QUESTION REPORTED TO BE ADJUSTED. Received 29, 1 a.m. Brussels, September 28. The newspaper Patriote declares it is stated in diplomatic circles that the Tripolitan question has been adjusted to Italy's satisfaction. TURKISH TRANSPORT UNMOLESTED ITALIAN CRUISERS' BLOCKADE. Received 29, 12.30 a.m. Tripoli, September 28. The Turkish transport Derna, laden with grain for the starving Arabs, brought a few officers and a hundred soldiers. Several cases of rifles and ammunition were unmolested. The vessel passed within gunshot of the Italian warships that are cruising about and practically blockading the coast.