New-York tribune., 1911-09-25

thing would be for France to exchange
her Central African territories for tracts
around the great Tchad Lake, which
would thus become entirely French.
Coustantinople Sept. 24.-Rumors that
italian troops have disembarked at va
rious points in Tripoli cause some alarm
here. The Italian liner Romania. bound
for Constantinople. on arrival in the
Dardaneues early on Saturday, was
boardea by the italian vice consul, who
ordered the captain TO land his passen-
gers within half an hour. The Romana
sailed for Italy without landing the
mails.
II is reported that several Italian mer-
chant steamers, on receipt of advices
from the Italian consulates, have SINH
larry taken their departure from Turk
ish ports. without disembarNng their
cargoes.
The Porte has instructed the Turkish
Ambassador in Rome TO ask the Italian
government for an explanation of the
movements Of Italian steamers
Recent advices from Rome say that the
entire Italian naval force is ready in case
of emergency for a conflict with Turkey II
the Ottoman government refuses its con-
sent TO an Italian protectorate over Tripoh.
Nearly TWO weeks ago Premier Giohtu, al
ter q conference with the Ministers of War
and Marine. declared that II the Turkish
government were not ready TO recognize
italian influence over Tripoli in some form
of protectorate the only recourse must be
the military occupation Of that province.
The Italian plan embraced a bombardment
OF Tripol!, and simultaneously a military
expedition OF 10000 soldiers to operate In
Macedonia. Syria and Arabia and a block
ade of the Adriatic coast of Turkey.
The Italian squadron's rendezvous is at
laramie Her orders are TO be ready TO
start at moments notice. Reports had 1t
that laramie had already been proclaimed
In a state of siege.
IL Is more than ten years ago since Italy,
in return for declaring herself disinterested
in Tuns where in the past she had had
considerable influence. obtained French rec
oEnition Of her predominant rights in Trip
oil. From that time onward II has been
more or less understood that in the long
anticipated division of the ottoman Empire
Italy would demand as her share at least
that outlying Turkish province (vilayeu,
which comprises about 100000 square miles
Of desirable country bordering on the Medi.
terranean and bounded on the east by
Egypt, on the west by Tuns and on the
southeast and south by the Sahara.
The population is about 100000, mostly
Berbers. There is a Jewish colony of about
500 in the capital, with nearly as many
more in the remainder of the province. Tne
Europeans number 5000. principally Maltese
and Italians. There are virtually no Turk
fish settlers.
Tie principal towns are Tripol the capi-
tai with 10000 inhabitants, Benghazi, with
5000, Mesurata and Derna.
Normally Turkey maintains about 10 900
troops IN TripoH. The capital is connected
by cable with Malta
Tripoli vas settled by tho Carthaginians
and was captured by the Romans Later
It passed into the possession Of the Van
dals and me Greeks and in the seventh
century was conquered by the Arabs. Fer
dinand the Catholic captured the city Of
Tripoli in 1910 and afterward IT was the
property Of the knights of St. John. The
country has been part Of the Turkish En-
pire since 1851, though for more than a
century previous to 1885 the Sultan's au-
thority was practically non-eXistent and
the country was a stronghold Of pirates.
IN 1915 an American expedition eXacted
reparation for injuries done to American
commerce. In 1885 Turkey sent strong
expedition 20 Tripoli and has enforced her
authority since then though there have
been several rehellions
The taxes are collected bg receiver
general, nominated from Constantnople
and they press heavily on all classes Of the
inhabitants.