Italian-Turko War

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 98, 16 October 1911, Page 5

Italian-Turko War

" MEDIATION IMPOSSIBLE." AN INFLAMMATORY PLACARD. "LET US BRING EUROPE TO RUIN." By Gable—Press Association—Copyright. Received 15. 5.5 p.m. Constantinople, October 14. The Powers' replies to the Porte's latest Note generally state that in view of Turkey's insistance on her sovereiffnty in Tripoli and of Italy's determination to annex Tripoli it is impossible to suggest a basis of mediation. The Committee of Union and Progress has posted inflammatory placards in Stamboul, calling tlie people to arms. The placards end with the threat, "Let m bring Europe to ruin rather than lose an inch of territory!" 1000 TURKISH TROOPS CAPTURED. TURKS RETIRE. Received 15, 5.5 p.m. Rome, October 14. Admiral Aubrey's squadron is reported to have captured a Turkish transport with sixteen hundred soldiers aboard. It is officially reported from Tripoli that the Turks have retired sixty miles from the coast. FREEDOM FOR POPULATION OF TRIPOLI. SAFEGUARDING FOREIGN CREDITORS. Rome. October 13. A proclamation has been issued conferring on the population of Tripoli freedom and the protection of all civil and religions rights. It permits the natives to be governed by the chiefs trader King Emanuel's patronage. They will not be subject to military service unwillingly. Replying to Turkish protests against the expulsion from Tripoli of officials who were responsible for the collection of taxes to be applied to the repayment of the Ottoman public debt, Senor Giolitti states that the Government is determined that foreign creditors shall remain unprejudiced by Italy's action. Four aeroplanes, with Italian officers as pilots, have been sent to Tripoli. The aeroplanes are intended to be used for dropping bombs in the enemy's encampments. 300 CONVICTS ESCAPE. Tripoli, October 13. During the bombardment three hundred convicts, including fifty desperadoes, escaped. Local members of the Turkish Committee of Union and Progress have been expelled. THE CONTRABAND QUESTION. Constantinople. October 13. Cattle, preserved meats, and bullion have been declared contraband. Italian journalists have been expelled. St. Petersburg. October 13. The Russian Note to the Porte insists that Russian corn addressed to Italian ports should not be liable to detention or confiscation unless destined for the field forces or official Italian consignees, and Russia holds the Porte responsible for violation of Russian rights.

Just how much the granting by Turkey of a concession to American archaeological excavators in Tripoli, and the murder of Professor Deacon, had to do with precipitating the present situation may never be divulged. Good judges hold the opinion that the primary reason for the war was the desire of Italian capitalists to develop the mineral resources of Tripoli. Soon after the Young Turks came into power a concession was granted to the American Archaelogical Institute to explore the site of the long-buried city of Cyrene. Italy, however, conceived that it was reallv a mining enterprise in which the institute's expedition intended to engage. After the expedition commenced operations' one of its members was murdered. An investigation revealed that the two men by whom the crime was perpetrated came from far distant point*, apparently for the sole purpose of murdering the leader of the expedition. Professor Norton, but that they killed Professor Deacon by mistake. At the instance of the United States Government a vigorous search was made for the murderers, both of whom were finally traced to the Soudan and captured there, with the co-operation of the Uritish authorities. The culprits were taken lack to Tripoli, where their trial should have taken place. There is a. strong suspicion that tae war might have been averted but for the necessity of preventing the trial, and thus shielding certain high Italian personages.