Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-04-20
T00vERAWE THE TURK
Italy Sends Fleet of Warships to Asia Minor.
ABRUZZI COMMANDS A SHIP.
Matter of Foreign Postoffiees In Otto
 man Territory Vexes Italian Minis try - Powers Believed to Approve
 Naval Demonstration.

Rome, April 20.-All the great Euro pean powers approve, 1t is said here, Italy's determination to make a naval demonstration in Turkish waters to i'm. press the Ottoman government.
 A fleet of nineteen Italian warships, Including eight torpedo boat destroy CTS, with 300 big guns and 1000 men, under command of Admiral F. Grenet, has been ordered direct to the coast of Asia Minor and if it is deemed neces- sary will seize an island there
 In the fleet is the first class battle. ship Regina Elena, which is command. ed by the Duke of the Abruzzi.'
 The trouble arose over Turkeys re- tusing to permit Italian postoffices in Turkish territory, though other foreign nations are allowed to have postoffices there
 Italian Missionary Murdered.
 Considerable irritation has been felt here also over the murder of an Italian missionary in Tripoli and the persecu- ton by the Ottoman authorities of na- tives who have sold land to Italians, but the present action of the Italian government is based primarily on the postoffice question. With regard to this, however, the Turkish ambassa- dor in Rome has pointed out in an in- terview that his government has in no instance granted to the countries in question such privilege, although it has tolerated the postoffices which they have maintained.
 For years it has been felt in govern ment circles in Rome that Turkey has been taking advantage of the interna tienal situation to act in high handed manner toward Italians, showing but little respect for Italian rights. This government, it is stated, has been in- dulgent, not wishing to cause compli cations which might endanger the ac- cord of the powers with regard to the Ottoman or the Balkans problems.
 Tn addition, there has been much op- position on the part of Turkey to all peaceful Italian initiative in TripoIi, and matters reached a climax when Italy asked for permission to open postoffices in Turkish territory, where | other powers already were established, | and met with what is considered by the administration here unjustifiabe | for besides being an acquired | right Italy considers that she is enti- | tied to claim it according to treaties | between the two countries granting her | the privileges of the most favored na- ton.
 Thought Italy Was Bluffing. l
 Apparently Turkey came to the con clusion that the Italian government | would never resort to extreme meas ures in view of the fact that the Mace 1onian problem Is pending. for the set tlement of which the accord of the powers is indispensable, and she went so far as to order detachments of troops to guard the Italian postofiices and thus prevent the work from being carried on.
 To this proyocation the Italian ad- felt that it could only reply with coercive measures in order 10 protect the dignity of Italy and safe guard her rights. In issuing orders for , demonstration of Italian warships in Turkish waters Italy desired clearly to show thHt "'" did not wish to take ad.