The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-30
:, sv1. was obtainable from him.

 | Washington, September 29.-The dec- laration of war by Italy upon Tur- key, coming as it did with practically no notice. created a great sensation in official circles here.
 The state department had felt req sonably confident that the other sigma ] tories to the Berlin treaty, which fixed
 the status of Turkey, would be sufft- cient to bring combined pressure to bear upon Italy to keep her from seiz- ing Tripoli.
 The only conclusion that could be | drawn from the developments of ths last 24 hours was that what has hap pened is only natural sequence of the Franco German Moroccan negotia- tions, and that all along it has been understood tacitly that Italy would be l given a free hand to deal with Fri poll in return, for refraining from in-
 tervening in the Moroccan dispute, all though her interests in the country of Moors are quite important. | Indications are that the United | States will keep clear of the present struggle for domination in Africa if that is possible It is distinctly as- serted at the state department that the United States has absolutely no po- litical interest in that part of the
 world.
 It is admitted, however, that in view
 of the highly advanced position this
 country has taken in advocating peace-
 ful settlement of international disputes, l that the government can only regret hostilities.s
 Strauss Asks for Intervention Late this afternoon the state depart
 ment received an appeal from oscar Strauss, former American ambassador to Turkey, to intervene between Italy and Turkey. MT. Strauss application was based on Article III of the Hague convention, of which both Italy and Turkey were parties to.
 The article reads:
 Independently of this recourse the aig- natory powers recommend that one or more powers. strangers to the dispute, should on their own initiative and as far as circumstances will allow extend its good offices or mediation to the states at | variance.
 Powers strangers to the dispute have the right to offer good offices or media l | The exercise of this right can never be regarded by one or the other parties as an unfiendly act.'
 No official statement could be obtained from officials of the state department as to what disposition would be made of MT. Strauss suggestion.
 Extreme caution must characterize any I attempt at mediation. Notwithstanding l the declaration of Article III, that an offer under this article cannot be regard ed as unfrendly it yet is a fact that hitherto, with one possible exception, the state department has awaited some inti- nation from one or both principals in a
 dispute that its good offices would be welcome.
 The single exception was in the case | of threatened hostilties between Peru and Ecuador. While the intervention of the United States was successful in pre- venting war cynically minded persons have suggested that the ability of the United States to demand respectful con sideration for its propositions had much to do with the success of adjusting the affair
 American Vessels in African Waters
 The naval representation of the Uni- i ted States in Africa waters during the present trouble will be limited to the | scout cruiser Chester and the little gun boat Scorpion. The Chester is coaling at Gibralter and will leave for Malta Monday According to her sailing orders when she left Boston she was to have merely touched at Malta to exchange some sailors with the Scorpion and supply that vessel with several small boats and then proceed 10 Cyrene on the coast of Tripoli to l afford protection. the American archae- ological eXcavating party being there.
 It Is believed at the navy department that the scientists will he obliged to suspend operations unless the Italians are able to make a landing in force al | Cyrene. In either case the Chester probably will be left free to look after the protection of any American inter- ests in Tripoli. her commander acting 1 in conjunction with American Consul l Wood. The Scorpion has been the sta l ton ship at Constantinople, but she will be ordered to remain at Malta or vcin- | ity for the present to assist the Chester in safeguarding American interests. l In the event of serious situation in Constantinople the gunboat will prob | ably be returned to assist the Chester's mate Scorpion and be under the orders of the American ambassador, The declaration came with such suddenness I there was no opportunity for the dispatchlng of trained observers. It was said, however, instructions would 1 be sent American military attaches at Rome and Constantnople to watch de- 1 veopments and the commanders of the Chester and Scorpion will do the same | for the navy branch. In addition to these 1 if hostilities should be prolonged, an or 1 der will go forward to General Wither- | spoon and Darlington, Major William | Lassiter and Captain Hanna of the gen eral staff now in Germany to proceed to Africa in tho capacity of military ob- servers.
 Negotiations have never resulted satis- factorilv to Italy. At the time Of the Franco-German differences made their ap- pearance regarding Morocco, Italy turned  CONTINUED ON PAGE Sl