Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-09-30
Italians Land al Tripo|i, bur Turks Sink First Two
BargesT Turkish Destroyer Sunk at Prevosa..
Italian Troops Also Landed at Benghaz-.
The War Preparations Are Active.
THE UNITED STATES COURSE.

Washington, Sept. 29--The dcclara.
ton Of war by Italy against Turkey.
With particularly no notice. caused o
great sensation in official Washington.
the state department had felt reason
ably confident that the other sigma
tories to the Berlin treaty, which fixed
the status of Turkey. would be able
to bring pressure to bear upon Italy
to divert her from her purpose to seize
Tripoli. The only conclusion that could
be drawn from the events of the past
"a hours was that what has happened
Is only natural sequence of the
France German Morocco negotiations.
and that has been understood tacitly
all along that Italy would be given a
free hand to deal with Tripofi In re-
turn for refraining from Intervention
in the Moroccan dispute, although her
interests in the country of the Moors
are quite as important as those of any
of the nations of northern Europe.
Indications are that the United
States will keep clear of the present
struggle for domination In Africa, II
that Is possible. 1t Is distinctly as
serted at the state department that
this country has absolutely no polit-
ieal interest in that part of the world.
1t is added, however, that in view of
tho highly advanced position the
United States has taken in advocacy
of the peaceful settlement of internal
tional disputes. this government can
look only with regret upon this resort
to war
Late today the state department re-
ceiyed an appeal from Oscar Stratus.
formerly American ambassador to
Turkey, 70 intervene between Italy and
Turkey. Mr.. Straus' application was
based upon Article III of The Hague
convention. of which both Italy and
Turkey We're signatories. This article
follows
Independently of this recourse, the
sienatory powers recommend that one
or more powers, strangers to the dis
rute, should, on their own initiative
and as far as circumstances may al
low, offer their good offices or media
ton to the states at variance.
Powers, strangers to the dispute.
have the right to offer good offices or
mediation, even during the course of
hostilities
THE exercise of this right can new
er he regarded by one or the other
of the parties in conflict as an un-
friendly act
No official statement could be OBJ
tanned from the state department as
to what disposition would be made OF
Mr.. Straus' suggestion. Extreme eau
ton must characterize any attempt
at mediation, for heretofore, in case
of threatened hostilities, the state de-
partment has awaited some intima-
0t1a hnf y,rtp NJ no 10, To he,
dispute that it's good offices would be
welcome The only exception to this
precedent was in the pretence of Peru
and Ecuador when this country Sue
cessfully interviewed to prevent war.
The naval representation of the
United States In African waters dur
ing the present troubles will be linn
tied to the scout cruiser Chester and
the gunboat Scorpion. The Chester
was to have proceeded to Cyrene, on
the coast of Tripoli. to protect the
American archaeological party. but 1t
is thought at the navy department
that the scientists will be obliged to
suspend operations. unless the Ital-
ians can make landing in force at
Cyrene. In any case the Chester will
probably be left free to look after the
pIOLcclipH VI diy <AtfiSilCdu tHtSfcctS
in Tripoli and her commander will
act with American Consul Wood. The
Scorpion has been the station ship at
Constantinople, but she will remain at
Malta or vicinity for the present to
assist the Chester in safeguarding
American interests.
The declaration of war came with
such suddenness that there had been
no opportunity for the war and navy
departments to dispatch trained OBJ
servers from the general staff to re-
port upon the war. 1t was said. how
ever, that instructions would he sent
to the American military attaches at
Rome and Constantinople to watch
developments and the commanders OF
the Chester and the Scorpion would
be expected to do likewise for the
navy. If hostilities should be long
drawn out an order win go forward to
Generals Withershoon and Darlington.
Mai William Lassiter and Capt. Han
ma of the general staff. now in Ger
many, to proceed to Africa as mill
tary observers,