The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-10-11
THIRTY YEARS AGO
TROUBLE BEGAN
t-TCoM IN PRESENT WAR DE
TWEEN TURKEY AND
ITALY.
AUTHORITY E D
ITALIANS HAVE ALWAYS WANTED
TRIpoII FOR EXTENSION
OF HER POP
. ILATIUN.

TUrke-ftalian enahroglto. now occupy
ing the center OF the international
stage, and causing trepidation among
some Of the smaller European
tries, Is the outcome of roubIes that
started in ISIS when. with the maxi
Ing Of the treaty concluding tile
RuSso-Turktsh war. the various Euro
pean powers ere understood to have
agreed TO permit Italy a pacific pene-
tratson Of Tripod
Since that time Italy has %colonized
Tripoii until her interests in that
African province have become extern
siye. From time to time she has as-
serted thai her subjects there have
been mtstreated by the Ottoman ALL
thortties and constantly Disseminated
against. This caused frequent dis
pates between the Turkish imperial
government and the royal government
Of Italy, and The numerous negotia-
tons that were MADE from time 10
time, never were satisfactory 10 the
italians.
Tripoli since 1885 has been on
s!dered part OF the Turkish domain
but Turkish domination OF the
province has existed since the SIX
teenth century The only Interrupt
ton TO Turkish control came in t1i4.
when the Arab population undertook
to sever the connection with Turkey
through revolution. They managed
to gain a slight MEASURE of indepen~
dence, but never succeeded in COM
pletaly throwing of the Turkish yoke.
Authority Divided.
Authority in Tripoli Is divided be-
tween the military n the civil Of
fcials. The supreme head is TIE
governing general. Subordinate Off
Gals administer the affairs OF the
districts or cantons. into which the
province Is divided. Among the
various Arab tribes. the shelka or
native chiefs possess authority
Through the Berber assemblies taxes
are raised with which to meet the
expenses Of the government.
About 4os, 900 square miles Of DUN
try Is directly under the dominion
CT Turkey. holding a population est-
mated from 10000 to 10000. Two
ffths OF the Inhabitants OF Tripoli are
Berbers. There are many Jews IN
all parts of the country. The foreign
population numbers about s,ool.
composed mostly Of Italians, who pre-
dominate, and Maltese. Arabic u
generally spoken. although the TURK
ish language Is the official tongue.
The western boundary Of Tripod
AZ far south AZ Ghadames vas set
tied by c~olonists from FrsSree ahe
Italy In 1922. The southern lfm't'
remain as vet unffxed.
The principal cities are Tripoti. wiz
more than 10000 inhabitants; Ben,
rna.t. with about $4,000; Herne anc
Khoras. with about 1880 each. The
most important inland settlements are
the caravan hating places OF Cha
DANES. Mugeuk and Chat.
The military government or the
province is administered by the Gov
ernor General At all times there are
about fU,bU0 Turkish troops uertr'
pying the various fortresses in anc
about the city of Tripol'. Formerly
there was a reserve force Of severa
thousand native soldiers VINO exeT'
cised authority IN various sections o.
the country. in return for which the,
were given certain privileges by TN
Turkish government. This force
r~orresponding to c~onstRbulary, ha'
heen dispensed with. The TURKISH
now only maintains .
force Of It's own soldiers in and abou
the city Of Tripoli. In the back coun
try the trihesnen hold almost abso
fitA ENaT. Inc tHHhpltalltr 't 1fh
mart Of the country are governed ~
the shsiks. who in most cases arr
the military chiefs Of their respective
tribes,
No CONSUMPTION in TripoIi.
Thera liz no CONSUMPTION in Tripoli
although an effort has been made q
exts bllsh a small militia force, with
out success.
The revenue of the province, no
calculating what is annually paid on
the Turkish debt is derived from
customs. land taxes, and times
Agriculture Ia the principal oecu
nation OF the inhabitants, Barley
wheat. dates. olives, n ant
lemons are grown to an extent sum
Gent to permit of their expectation II
small quantities. while cattle am
sheen are bred for the market by
few stock raisers.
There is considerable caravan
trade between Benghazi and Wadai
and between Tripoii and the centra
sudan when the various routes owe
which the caravans travel are fire.
from ~mauraeing tribesnren. Exten
sive are made In ostricl
feathers brought over inland trails ~
the backs Of camels from central AT
RIGA 10 Tripoii for export TO Paris ant
London. And inland trade is car
RED by which follow route
traversed for centuries.
Tripoli Il. connected by telegraph
with Murxuk in Fezzan. Gabes II
Tunis. and Malta by cable,
Italians Always Wanted II.
italians have always had envioul
eyes on this part OF Africa. Itai,
needs the province TO allow Italisy
expansion in population n trad
which she cannot &c. under Turkish
control. AT every opportunity Itai,
has protested against Turkish dorni
nation. using as a basis OF protes
alleged outrages and discrimination
aRainst italian subjects. AT the TIM
OF the France-Gernian differences re
raraing Morocco, Italy turned her at
tentIon to Tripoli. and In a~1bsequent
ne9otiattons with S~onstantinople
claimed n many outrages Were
committed on her subjects. No re,
drsss wal made by Turkey. and Ital,
Immediately proceeded to mobilize
her army and navy.
Representations We're made by tn
Sublime Porte. and diplomatic con
vsration began. Finally the matte
came TO a crisis by an ~nltirnatum de
iiycred 10 the Sultan ordering him Il
consent to Italian occupation.
Turkey protested TO n powers
delayfne rDsitivs negotiations. and
~ q result ITALY declared war
DEATH NOTICE. .