The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-10
THE BERLIN. PRESS
 DISCUSSES WAR May Move TurcO-Italian
 War To Africa BELGIUM IS DISTURBED Fear kaiser's Government Has De- signing Eye on Belgian Colonies. How Misgivings Are Being
 Reinforced
BELGIUM IS DISTURBED
By FREDERRE, WERNER

Ny W
 Berlin, December 9.-(speeisl)-The Berlin press is discussing the possibility of change in the balance of power arising out of the wilr in Tripoli.
 In a recent editorial the Kreuzzeitung says:
 ''Every alliance between two states im- plies certain equality of forces, inter- ests and responsibilities. Such equality between Turkey and any of the western world powers cannot be spoken of. The latter, in view of the manifold and sharp frictions of the Otto man states with all the maginanle open and disguised po- litical aims of neighaboring powers, and in view of the complicated international problems arising from the motley racial composition of Turkey and her patron- age over all believers fin the Koran, would undertake obligations. the burden of which would be altogether out of relation to any possible benefit from the connection, unless, indeed, the, porte were to give it's partner very special geographical or economic advantages, 'as Said Pasha ex- pressed himself.
 ''These it is argued, Turkey is not like ly to offer to Great Britain in return for the Tl2nt to retain d SlBduONN SONtlttS4l9 over two provinces of as little value as Tripoli and Cyrenaica, Therefore, the ottoman empire will reconcile itself to the loss, butt the effect will be the Gre- ation of extensive friction surfaces be- tween Italy on the one hand and France and England on the ofher,' owing to the change in territorial distribution in the Mediterranean. Moreover. the Cbnsuta will have to think of a military backing against her two rivals on the sea. which she will hardly seek elsewhere than in Germany and ia-Hungary. Consequently, in- stead of loosening the ties of the Trip lice. the war will ratmr strengthen the alliance and bind its members all the closer together.
 ''Italys two partners Will find il necessary to increase their armaments | and for Germany a much discussed 1 armored cruiser problem will become 1 a burning one As for Turkey, it is | quite conceivable that her enemies of | today will hold out their hands to ore | another. The role of reconciling medi | ator would naturally fall to Germany | ; and from that would result the possi- | bility of a satisfactory solution of rrobem SO important for the entire Oriental policy, namely, that of estab- fishing in the Mediterranean a posi- tion of international equipoise in place | of the present one sided preponderance | UI the entente powers
 It is not believed here that success 1 will attend the efforts of the powers l to secure the loca1ization of the Turco- l Italian war to the African coast line or hinterland. The object of war is to force upon the loser a peace advan tageous to the victor. But if Italy were confined to warfare in Tripoli, which 1 is already costing millions of francs a day, Turkey, spending nothing there, | Is in q position to refuse the terms of | peace demanded for an indefinite pc | riod, during which the existence of an l open sore would threaten the peace of | mind of all European nations, England | with them. On the other hand, the 1 moment the war ceases to be localized | that is, the moment Italy endeavors to | force peace upon Turkey by attacking | more vital points of tht Ottoman en.- | pire than Tripoli, the fatal eastern | question is raised again and the world, | crystallized after the Napoleonic up- | heaval by the 1915 series of treaties, | is once more in a state of solution. | Under such conditions anything might l happen.
 In Russia the. press is urging on the government the view that Turkey is seek ing compensation for the loss of Trpoli | in the disputed territory on the Turco- Persian frontiers about Lake Urmia. Rus sian agents have recently been over the
 
 investigated Turkish proceedings there In Official circles no apprehension whatever is felt as to Turkish intentions, in that 1 region at present, because the number of Turkish troops sent there from time to time is small In any case Russia will never allow Turkey to establish herself on Persian territory, for the simple req son that the position outfianks all the defenses of Russia's southern frontier And Russian opposition to the Turkish attempt at aSgrandizement is fully sup ported by England.
 Although tie Belgian press has been displaying great caution in it's comments on the Franco-German settlement regard ing Morocco. ] am in position to state that the clauses of the arrangement re- lating to the Congo and Ubangho are causing great disquiet in the Belgian of- ficia world.
 Belgian statesmen are fully convinced that the Kaiser's government has cast longing eyes on the Belgian colony, of which Germany has become the close neighbor by the agreement with France
 The 1atter's refusal to assent 10 any change in the status of the Congo with out consultation of all the powers who signed the Berlin treaty concerning the Congo basin is not considered in the least reassuring. It simply transfers to the European concert the question as to whether E1ance IS 10 pc allowed at any time to part with her right of pre-emp- ton over the Belgian Congo, and ac- cording to the views held here, such question should not even be raised, as the fight was only granted to France personally in exchange for equivalent advantages, and as a favor untransfer- able to any third power. Indeed the late King Leopold II only conceded such q privilege to France because he especially trusted in her good faith, and was con vinced that she would not attempt to exercise it unduly and force Belgium. by violence or threat, into the sale of It's colony.
 The matter stands quite differently with Germany, whose designs are suspected and who, it is feared, If she were to become ''heir presumptive" to the Bel gian colony. would soon conduct events