Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-28
Officials Expect to Win in War
i With Italy.
ALREADY TALK INDEMNITY
Newspapers Figure Out Amount It
Will BE Necessary to Pay.
Cementing Force Of Islam Has
/, Brought About 1nsurpassable
Barrier, It q Claimed.
BY W. B. MIDDLETON.

0a&31e1s 1t ID Claimed.
By W. B. MIDDLETON.
lIsssisn Correspondence Of The Star.
!C00qSTA9vFnNoPLE, November s. 1911.
Obviously inspired by the recent rumors
OF Turkish triumph, tho Jeune Turc II
q leading article discusses the amount OF
the war indemnity payable by Italy after
her Inevitable defeat, and suggests that
the other powers. which have not taken
steps to prevent Italian attacks upon
the Ottoman empire, must be requested
to renounce their capitulatory rights.
Austria Hungary and Germany have al
ready given promises to this effect, and
: 1t IL suggested that the entente powers
: tGreat Britain. France and Russia)
I should Immediately be approached by the
porte on this subject.
In order to satisfy curiosity about the
feeling in Turkey / have called upon the
most eminent representatives of every
shade of political thought here, from
that Of reaction to that Of revolution. and
most distinguished Of the names known
to Europe. including the war minister,
Mahmoud Shefket Pasha, the ex-grand
viziers Hamil Pasha and Hilmi Pasha !;
and Noradounghian, Col Sadik Bey and
Gen. Maxim Pasha. were asked to state
their views and from the lips of all
have heard the same answer.
Turkey owns Tripoli and Is bent on
keeping 1t. Italy seeks to wrest the
province by force. That is morally
wrong. and win also prove politically
mischievous. Anyhow, we cannot be ex-
ourselves. and that Is what We should
be doing were we to make peace on terms
less satisfactory than the re-establish-
ment Of the status quo ante Therefore,
their scheme Of annexation. the war is
bound to continue. 1t will certainly not
be Tor the aggressor to say when 1t Will
suit her to conclude peace. In this mat
Italy has dragged US from the council
chamber to the battlefield against our
will. and now we will exercise our right
and keep her there against her Will. until
she discerns the error OF her ways ana
exhibits proper repentance.
= Believe Italy Erred.
These words convey q fair notion
of the temper Of those who have Tur-
keys destinies in their hands to-
day. Recent events have intensified
their resolve. and temporarily abated
the ferceness Of the political struggle
made by the most eminent military
authorities Is:
z ALREADY italy has fallen into an
srror which has cost her dear. She
deemed $4,000 men ample for the oc-
stretch Of coast. because she estimated
our strength at 5000 undisciplined
Turks estranged from the Arabs and
Berbers: but she neglected to reckon
with the imponderabilia which prove
:. decisive-for example, with the ce-
imenting force OF Islam. which has
united all ethnic elements In one in
. surpassable barrier. Italy's military
expedition has already failed; she
must now rig out another. and at the
same time make ready for conse-
Quences more sinister STILL"
Last night / had a long and inter-
esting conversation with the ex-grand
vizier, Hilmi Pasha. upon the situa-
distinguished statesman also touched
upon the war prospects. and said:
The news OF our success in
Tripoli delighted but did not sur
prise me. confidently expected it.
These exploits may be but the bios
/ said: "If the few thousand troops
left there by the former cabinet ac-
.complished such brilliant feats OF
arms. how many would have sufficed
possibility"
Hilmi Pasha answered: twenty-five
thousand men. including contingent
of Arabs and Berbers, would have
amply sufficed."
"But as that opportunity was lost.
10 not Tripoli also lost?" l inquired.
Tripoli Is Not Lost.
In nowise" he rejoined. The Arabs,
Berbers and Turks are applying the verse
Of the Koran which enjoins them to be
united as one single body. Their warlike
vigor, stirred by the fervid spirit of pa
.triotism and raised to the fierceness of
passion, will nerve them to military
achievements which are beyond the reach
Of what the invaders can accomplish. To
the frantic enthusiasm of Arabs, Berbers
and Turks fighting for their homes. fami-
lies and country the Italians can oppose
no moral or psychological force worth
weighing. They possess no inner source
Of sacred fire. Our troops and volun-
teers are well equipped with physical and
moral qualities which make the best
fighting men in the world. They are led
by trained officers whose patriotism is
the unique mainspring of action. These
things inspire us with vivifying hope and
nerve US to unbending resolution
Yes, but your troops lack heavy guns"
I objected
Undoubtedly that Is a serious draw
back" Hilmi replied. but 1t Is counter
balanced by the peculiar nature of the
guerrilla warfare in which we are en-
gagged. The invaders will be compelled to
undertake a decimating march through
the desert. which is the native element
of our defenders. There the absence Of
heavy guns will not be decisive"
Are you well off for rifes?' l querfed
with rifles We are adequately sup
piled" he said: lat least, 10000 are avail
able And to all our means Of defense
Italy has added one formidable weapon
with which only she could furnish US. I
mem the burning hatred Of the Arabs
for everything Italian, which has been
provoked by the indiscriminate massacre
Of bgave men and defenselesS women. II