Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1911-10-11
ITALY WAGES WAR ON
TURKEY FOR TR|POL|
First Week Ends With Advantage
in Favor of Italy
EUROPE IN GREAT SUSPENSE
Fearful That Continental Cor fiict
May Be Provoked

with all the tricks thus far taken by
the Italians. Tripoli has fallen, an
Italian force holds the coast Of eyre
uaica and the italian navy domi-
mates the Mediterranean, the AID
attic and the Red Sea, menacing the
ports OF European Turkey, assuring
the safe passage OF the military ex-
petition Of ~, 900 men that Italy is
about to lard IN Tripoi 10 complete
be inquest.
Friday, Sept. %, Italy formally
declared war against Turkey and
Immediately gave orders to both
naval and army conu.G nders TO pro-
c-ed with an active and vigorous
campaign. Tripoli is the bone OF
contention, and Italians seemingly
have all the advantage OF the STU
alton. Their country lies directly
opposite Tripoli. within a few
hours sailing, aud vessels leaving
Genoa or Naples can be in touch
with the Tripod; coast in brief
space of time.
If Turkey had a navy equal to
Italy's she could easily throw an
army into her threatened province
and there meet the invaders with
formidable forces. But Turkeys
navy is almost negligible quantity.
while Italy's is one OF the best in
the world, ranking fifth. She has
fifteen battleships, some of them
among the greatest ever built, and
in cruisers, torpedo boats, and tor
Dedo boat destroyers she is equally
strong. Therefore, Turkey must
look to her army if she hopes to op-
pose effectively Italy's aggressions.
In this department OF her military
service, the Ottoman empire is fine
ly equipped, having 725, 900 soldiers
ready to take the field at moments
notice and 1000, 600 on the reserve
list prepared to respond any day.
ltaly's standing army is made up of
525, 900 men, and its reserve list OF
10000. 900.
From these figures it can be seen
that the two countries, on land, are
about equally matched, with some
slight advantage on the side OF the
Turks; and when it is remembered
that the average Turk fights like a
lend, it can be readily understood
that Italy, IL it comes 70 land can =
paigns, will be confronted with o
tremendous undertaking and, in all
probability. with final defeat. With
her splendid navy, however, she
probably will easily gain possession
of Tripoli for she can guard the
coast and patrol the entire Medi-
terrsnean.
The trouble between Turkey and
Italy which eliminated Friday af-
ternOon in a declaration OF war at
Rome, dates back to 1873, when,
with the making of the treaty con.
Guiding the Russo Turkish war, the
powers are understood to have
agreed to permit Italy a pacific
penetration Of Tripoli." Turkey
claims that this right has been re
spected ever since. Italy has col
onized Tripoli until her interests
in that African province are very
great. She has asserted, however,
that her subjects have been mis-.
} treated by the Ottoman authority
and constantly Disseminated
against.
Frequent disputes have arisen
but the prolonged negotiations have
never resulted satisfactorily to
Italy.
At the time that the Franco-Ger
} man differences regarding MoroccC
were accute. Italy turned her stten
ton again to Tripoi, and in subse
! quent negotiations with CONSTANT
nople set forth that many outrage.
, against her subjects had been per
T petrated. and for which no red es.
( had been made. She assumed q de
, cisive attitude. and presently began
| the mobilization Of her army ant
navy.