The San Francisco call., 1908-10-18
TURKEY Mobiles
SOLDIERS FOR WAR
Sultan Rushes Troops to Bull
garian Frontier and DipIo-
mats Expect Conflict
POrte's DisapprOvaI of Program
for International Conference
AScribed as Cause

PARIS. Oct. 1.-THE optimism pre-
vailing in official circles up TO today
concerning the ability of the powers
10 maintain peace in eastern Europe
was rudely shattered this evening on
receipt Of telegram from the French
ambassador at COnstantinople, NJ Con-
stans, announcing that Turkey had or
dered the mobilization Of her troops in
Asia Minor, and tonight it is believed
that few hours will determine the
issue Of peace or war.
Ihis is regarded as Turkeys answer
10 Bulgaria's refusal 10 accord com
pensatiOn for her independence and
10 the powers which arranged the pro-
gram in London for the international
conference. Instructions have been
hurrledly forwarded to the French rep
resentatives at Constantinople and
SOFIA TO renew their counsels of pru-
dence, and undoubtedly the other
powers have sent similar Instructions
10 their representatives at these cities
urging modersti tion on the part of Bull
gacia and Turkey
DIPLOMATS FEAR WAR
The fear among diplomats. however.
Is that intervention may come too late
and that the Bulgarians. in their pres
ent state Of excitement, may accept
TnrNey' S act as one of provocation and
ADVANCE across the frontier, when a
collision between the armies would be
ine-itable ana irreDarable.
At dinner at the Russian embassy
tonight in honor of NJ -IswOlsky. the
Russian foreign minister, at which
Premier Clemenceau, NJ. Pichon. the
French foreign minister and Baron
Rosen, the Russian ambassador 10 the
United states, who is now on his way
"a 4t,o
expressed that diplomacy might yet
save the day. If "A hours can be
gained diplomats in Paris generally
believe that Turkey and Bulgaria can
bc made 10 see the folly Of hostllities.
As soon as word of Turkeys action
reached here NaOum Pasha the Turkish
ambassador, called on Sir Edward
Bertier, the British ambassador but
the purpose of the interview has not
been learned. NJ. Stencioff, the Bull
garian diplomatic agent in Paris. did
not attempt TO conceal the gravity of
the news, but said that he could not
understand such a move. as he had re-
ceived reassUring telegram in the
afternoon from Sofa. which stated that
Bulgaria, among other things, was
ready TO negotiate the. matter Of the
Oriental railroad with the company.
REACTIONARIEs SUSPECTED
In some quarters il is believed that
the unfavorable impression produced. by
the program outlined for the interna-
uonal conference was a large factor
in the porte's decision to take matters
into lis own hands. Others suspect a
scheme Of the reactionaries to crush
the new regime in Turkey.
y special dispatch to the Temps from
Cers -antinople confirms the announce
ment Of the mobilization of the Turk
ish army and it adds that so locomo-
uves are now ready TO transport troops.
The order, the dispatch says, applies
only TO troops in Anatolia, those in
Macedonia already being partially mo-
bilized
"A war between Turkey and Bull
garia appears imminent" the dispatch
- concludes.
In spite Of the vast differences in
the sizes Of the countries. Turkey con-
tanning a total population of about %,
100000. and Bulgaria something under
100000 population, the available
armies Of the two states about equalize
an 375.000 combatants each.
TURKISH ARMY WEAK
The strength Of the Turkish army in
stantly available for service in Europe
is about 10000 men, which in the
course Of a few weeks could be in
creased to 375, 900. The army is divided
into an active division and various sec
ti0ns Of reserves. Counting all classes
Of reserves, the total strength on paper
is something over 100000 men. but a
very large proportion Of these must be
ignored for lighting purposes The ma
terial both officers and men, has been
described as excellent. but the entire
force is lacking in education and train
ing. With its existing organization
and present methods the Turkish army
has been called the weakest in Europe.
The Bulgarian army presents very
different picture. It is modelled to a
great extent on the Russian army The
peace strength is $4,000 men, but the
neld army, when all the units are
formed. amounts to 375,O00 combatants.
The reserves are now being held to the
cOlors.
The organization is most modern in
type and the training Of the troops,
especially in rife shooting, is said to
be excellent. They are armed with
1Iannlicher rifles, their field artillery
IS modern and their equipment first
class in every respect.
DO You Want $500.