Italian-Turko War

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 102, 20 October 1911, Page 5

Italian-Turko War

TURKISH GOVERNMENT'S POLICY. ••ONE OF PEACE AND MUTUAL CONFIDENCE." AN ALLIANCE TO BE SOUGHT. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received 19, 10.50 p.m. Constantinople, October 10. The Grand Vizier, in the Chamber, declared the Government's policy was one of peace and mutual confidence as far as the Balkans were concerned. The Government was determined to seek alliances in order to safeguard the interests of the Empire, and meanwhile, in the Tripolitan question, to secure a solution on the most favorable terms to national interests and dignity. The Tripolitan indictment charges ■against the late llakki Cabinet are seriously weakening the defences of Tripoli, and are also allowing two hundred ntarving people to migrate to Tunis through the absence of relief measures. The newspaper Jeuneture expresses the hope that Turkey will succeed Italy as a brilliant third in the Triple Alliance. Several attempts having been made £o secure the ex-Sultan's escape, a closer watch is being kept on him.

AX ITALIAN ORDER FOR TORPEDOERS. Received 1!). 10.50 p.m. Rome, October 10. The Government has ordered forty torpedoers from privute firms. 4000 VOLUNTEERS .MARCHING INTO TRIPOLI. Received 20, 1 a.m. London, October 19. The Daily Chronicle's Constantinople correspondent reports that four thousand volunteers from Egypt are marching towards Benghazi under trained officers. Egyptian sympathisers are supplying food and ammunition.

ITALY'S INTENTIONS. BRINGING TURKEY TO HER KNEES. Received 20, 1 a.m. Vienna, October 19. It is reported that when Tripoli and Cyrenaica are occupied Italy will in November send an ultimatum to the Porte asking her to accept the situation, with financial compensation. If the terms are rejected some of the islands in the Aegian Sea will be seized, Smyrna blockaded, and compensation not only withheld but a war indemnity demanded, manded.

KILLING ITALIAN TRADE. Constantinople, October 18. A decree has been issued imposing a cent, per cent, ad valorem duty on Italian merchandise. THE TURKISH FLEET. London. October IS. A Reuter telegram states that the Turki.-li fleet is proceeding to the Sea of Marmora for gun practice. A TURKISH STATEMENT. EUROPEAN CONFLAGRATION MAY RESULT. There was in Sydney last week a gentleman. Mr. Arit" A. Nasso.ir, 8.A.. who is intimately acquainted with , Turkish affairs. His father was for nianv years in the diplomatic service of the Turkish Government, and be himself was for five years in the Egyptian Government service. Discussing the situation with a representative of the Sydney Morning Herald, Mr. Nassoor referred to the weakness of the Turkish navy and the strength of the army. Admittedly the navy was hopelessly outclassed at present, but if the Italians invaded Turkey they would be met by one of the finest fighting forces in the world. Th? Turkish army had 1.200,000 trained men and over 3.000.000 men could be called to arms if necessary Mahmoud Shevket Pasha was Minister for War, and would control the whole armv.

"The generals who will probably plav an important part in any land figlitin«," Mr. Xassoor savs. "are Abdullah Pasha. Xazim Basin. Ferid Tasini, and Fouad Pasha. Kuver Bey has been recalled from Ilerlin. He was one of those instrument!*! in bringing about the present Constitution, and is a trained soldier, having studied in Germany Xazi Bey is a colonel in the areiy nnd also a trained soldier to be to the fore a* present." Continuing. Mr. Xa--onr said that though the hostilities would be short, sharp, and d'eisive at sea, the land fightiny would probably be very serious, and always there was the likelihood of international complications. It might be the policy of Turkey to take Thcssalv. to be n-cd as a base of operations. 'The present war is absolutely unjust and unwarranted." he added. 'Ttalv has no ri'jlit to take sii< h action. Hut she seized the psychological moment and *truck when the other Towers were interested in Morocco. lint there ire .1(1(10 Turki-h troops in the Tripoli hintcrhnd. They have retired inland. With them will be the Arabs and Senotissis. The latter are very fanatical tribesmen, and if they start >n e crusade there is no «aving what mnv happen. Italy will Hurl it a mo-t ditl'icult task to conquer the interior of Tripoli. "The Abyssinian war should have been a lesson to Italy. And the Abyssinians Were politically untrained soldiers. "The cnndiM of Turkey since the out - Irr :.k of hostilities shows that she desires the friendship and go.xl opinion of ({rent liritaln. In the past such a ivar would have seen an immediate outbreak of massacres, the Mohammedans revenging themselves on the Christians. Cnder the old regime there would have been a creneral massacre. To-day the Turkish Government has been most anxious to pet the people to treat the Italians and other foreigners within their borders as cuests. The Turkish Parliament, is in reces=. and has been convened for October 0. Tt is a hopeful sign to see Kiamel Tasha ns Grand Vi/.icr. lie is most friendly to Creat Britain. Germany's influence in the old Cabinet is now of no avail, and Germany's prestige in Turkey wi'l die out. T anticipate that if Kia'inel T:i«lm continues in nower Great Britain will take steps to bring about a cessation of hostilities. Hut if the war reaches the land stage it will be a terrible thing."