The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-15

After Morocco-Tripoli. It really seems as if the whole international balance of the powers of Europe has been hopelessly upset. The worst is yet to come per haps. for If Italy crushes Turkeys armies in Africa, nothing can stop the dismem- berment of the whole Ottoman empire, which will bring about the catastrophe 1t has been the chief aim of every Euro pean diplomatist to ward off.
 Nobody planes Italy for uttering her demands at this moment, for she could hardly find a more propitious one. There are thousands of Italian settlers on the coast of Tripoli and practically no Turks except the men serving in the army of occupation.
 Numerous incidents have taken place of recent years in which Italian interests and honor are said to have suffered, but an easier explanation than alleged grievances is at hand for the sudden colonial im- petus
 It is the reason given by the Italian papers themselves. Italy has an enor- nous surplus of population and requires colonies. Tunis, the near African eoun- try. is already full of Italians, and Tuns is under French rule. The next nearest country is Tripoli. and therefore Trpoli must be conquered.
 Turkey, the nominal owner of Tripoli, is on the verge of a banlSruptvy and in the throes of a great political crisis. She has lost thousands of soldiers in her war. in Arabia, and the slightest weakening of Turkish strength will lead to fresh and final rebellion in Albania, which 1t is hoped to convert into an independent kingdom.
 Of the other powers, France, the Medl- terranean power, is neutral How could she object to Italy doing in Tripoli what she has practically done herself in Mo- rocco.
 Great Britain is not considered likely to object but curiousy enough some mis- siVings are entertained about Germany s attitude.
 For several years past it has been no- tlced by everybody that Italy had grad ually loosened the bonds that officially tied her to Germany and Austria.
 No effort has ever been made to dis guise the fact that the Italian fleet was built solely to use against Austria. and there is not inconsiderabe party In Italy which daily advocates a war with Austria both to strengthen the national character by uniting Italians in patri- otic endeavor and to recover the Host province of Istraia. with the parts of Triesta, Foa and Fiume.
 While Italy was detaching herself by degrees from the triple alliance. Germany was assiduously courting new aid more profitable friend-Turkey.
 For the sake of preDonderance in the near east for her interests in the Bag dad railroad and her longing glances to- ward Persian trade. and also in some vague hopes of naval construction orders, Germany has gained at Constantin oplc the position that used to be Great Britains.
 It is, therefore. not unnatural to see Turkey. in the hour of need, turn her silently appealing eyes to Germany ask ing her to prevent her Italian ally from adding the last straw to her back k-breaiS- ing burden
 If Germany refuses she will be held in Turkey to be a broken reed. and her pres tige will be gone forever If she accedes the rupture of the triple alliance
 In the latter case. Turkey herself might step into Italy's boots and join partner ship with Austria and Germany unfer the Kaiser's shining armor'
 Many are the writers who have com pared the general state of unrest all over Europe with the events of the reyolll- tionary year Of 1S42. but the comparison is not a very striking one, for the dis turbances that have been felt in Eng land, France. Austria. Germany and else where have had nothing to do with poli- tics, while all the uprisings of 1S4S were of a politically revolutionary character and directed against reigning houses. In 1911 no regning dynasty is threatened with the one exception of the Bourbons ir Spain and King Alfonso indeed spoke the truth when he recently said to a prominent republican leader who was presented to him, we may all very