Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-11-03
~ ~ LIZZIE o THOMAS GsgzRT

The war between Italy and Turkey
brings to the mind Of the student OF
history the fact that from time imme-
mortal there has been bone OF conten-
ton in the Mediterranean sea. The sea
IS about one hundred and fifty miles in
breadth near where Carthage stood In
ancient times. The modern city OF Tu-
mis- is not far south OF the ruins OF that
famous site. The island OF Sicily.
which is two hundred miles in length
and hundred and fifty miles broad
lies directly between Carthage and the
southern point OF Italy.
Almost three hundred years before
Christ ambitious Rome wanted Sicily.
The Cartnagenian republic was then
the most powerful nation on the globe.
they had possession of Sardinia and
their warships were lowering around
Sicily. In a nutshell that was the be-
ginning of the Tunic wars taat lasted
20 years. destroyed millions Of people
and untold wealth.
I don't think that you can find any
where a book more thrilling nor scenes
more awful than the early history OF
Italy. Get your maps and look how
close to Italy Sicily seems. and you
can see how easy II was for Italy 10
covet IL She was ealous OF Carthage.
her rival and enemy for one hundred
years. and mistress OF the Mediterranean
sea Three hundred and forty-eight
years before Christ Carthage compelled
Rome TO sign a treaty which excluded
her from the western waters and as the
years passed Rome decided she must
meet and conquer Carthage
Every Roman held the Carthagenians
IN contempt, those -hucksters," that
nation OF Shakespeares." they called
them. The Carthagenians were Phoe-
nIcian branch of the Semitic stock. but
unlike the Jews. they bad land OF
their own. they were not a nation dis
persed and homeless They were citi-
gems OF a great country whose ships
were on all waters then known. and
their caravan routes covered the world
as they knew It They were indeed
the ~porters OF civilization and carriers
OF the world"
In that conflict Carthage had her ships
and Rome her trained soldiers. Today
Italy has her ships and Is transporting
her soldiers at immense cost.
However. In the struggle that is today
between Italy and Turkey IN Tripoli.
there Is a deper significance than merely
two powers at war with each other.
Northern Africa is not as Il was centu-
lies before Christ. nor even as II was
Ten years ago when Italy donned her
rolesHhieL-Beco-p Amfwyetaogf gf gfgf
war paint. We must wait and see what
VIII re the result OF this grouping of
European powers and their attitude 20
Accommodation Wherever there is a
follower OF Mohammed therei some man,
woman or child, who has sworn to see
Islam prevail against the world.
On the other hand. Itaiy's invasion OF
TripoI has not made Germany any more
her lover and as Germany donned her
armor to play the part OF friend TO Aus
tria in the crisis of Bosnia. Russia is
rot likely 20 forget that. She is today
paying more attention TO her navy and
has Modified her army so that in the
event Of another war she will not be
found mapping.
Naturally all these conditions have
made Germany turn her eyes toward HoI-
land and Belgium. and the papers have
Just told you OF Belgium's preparations
for protection. This did not scare Ger
many. but the fact that England had her
ships massed at the mouth OF the Firth
Of Forth and in the Mediterranean. with
orders to proceed in the event Of hos
tilities TO Dieppe to cover the left flank
OF the French army h order 70 protect
the neutrality Of Belgium
Are you wondering why I am dragging
this German history into italian, and
Turkish affairs?
Wei. Germany having no Islam sub
jects OF her own has worked hard to
secure the ear OF the porte. Don't YOU
remember how the German emperor went
east and hobnobbed with the suItan7 Val
liable mercantile exchange and the fact
that the sultan can check the Slav adj
vance from north or west were assets
enough for Germany TO safely encourage
the aspirations Of the Salonih commit
tee.
The stra;egical conditions of the Med
iterranean win be completely changed
with Italy at Tripoli and Tobruk within
a few hours steam Of her bases on the
Italian peninsula Germany is disappoint-
ed in not occupying Tobruk and IL was
only when Italy made the flank move
rent BY waGing war on Tripoli was she
checked In that plan. Her ambassador at
Constantinople had handled matters mag
nifcently, the construction OF the Bagdad
railway and other economic plans would
have strengthened her power with the
Ottomans and lessened the power Of
Russia in that section
Here comes another question. Wars cost
money and some one must finance them