The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-30

Bel1port. L. T.. September 29-"For tho President of the United States to aci as mediator in the dispute between Tur key and Italy would be to fill a magnifi- cent role and prove great practical step in international peace making" Such was the opinion of the Turllis ambassador, Zia Bey Pasha, tonight. ex pressed during the course of an intervien with representative of the Associated Press.
 "As'I am absolutely without late in
 teligence from my home government, an
 without special instructions I could tahs
 no steps in this important matter" The ambassador continued: Moreover, if war has been declared, I believe it will be local in nature. n
 other words, I think Italy will limit hoi action to the occupants of Tripoi and noi carry on an offensive and general con
 flict of conquest against the Ottoman empire.'
 War Will Be Brief The ambassador said he did. not think there would be any movement in Tur-.
 key against Italians or other Europeans. At the time of the Turco-Grecian war | there was question of expelling ali l Greeks from Constantinople. This came 1 near to being accomplished but at tho last moment better counsel prevailed anu
 the Greeks were allowed to remain Aln- moiested.
 | At this moment the correspondent was 1 able to communicate the advices from
 Constantinople indicating that the gov ' I, tolx against the Italian residents. This bears out what I have just said,' said Zia Pasha. and shows that notn- ing need be feared in the way of Fur kish reprisals.''
 He was interested in the announcement that the cabinet had resigned saying that under the circumstances such develop ment WAS to be anticipated. Said Pasha who assumes the position of grand viSier, might be styled a statesman of broad ideals, having the highest interests Q: their country at heart, he said. They are liberal reactionaries he said who as sume the new portfolios and will exsrs1oS discretion.
 Interested in Reports Of equal interest to the ambassador was the report that the Italians had landed at Tripoli. Even if the Tur- kish government had otherwise decided not to offer an armed resistance to Italian occupation he was not at all sure the inhabitants of Tripoli would submit to change of regime when their sympathies and ties of many kinds bound them to Turkish dominion. The attitude of the Berber tribes. who form the greater part of Tripolis population of about a million, must be counted upon. How would they look upon the Italian invader? Might they not offer the same opposition to the Italian as the bold Riffian tribes in Morocco to the Spanish invaders around Ceuta and the Chauia tribes men to the advance of the French in the western part of Morocco? He thought Tripol. in short, would not submit to Italian rule without strug- gle. s
 The correspondent remarked that for years the world had been discussing the possibility of a holy war.
 Do you think, your excellency, that such religious conflict is now prob. able?"
 Holy War Not Possible
 Hardly possible" he responded, and certainly nothing is to be feared In that direction in Turkey proper. In Turkey there is good feeling between Mohammedan and Christian. Under the new regime Christians have been in- corporated in the army In 1909 decree was promulgated extending the obligation of military service to non- Mussulman, and if the trade continues Christian and Mohammcdan are stand ing side by side in the growing Turkish army. But what Tripoli may do, cannot say. It would be ridiculous to launch into any discussion of this
 issue and personally I have no opinion to offer either way.
 'I shall only remark that some Mo hammedans might oonstrue the latter campaign of some of the Christian na- tions of western Europe in the light of 9 crusade such as England in India which gives her dominion over Moham- medans than are now subjected any where to Turkish authority" he said,
 and England in Egypt; France in Tunis and Algeria. and recently Mo rocco and now Italy in Tripoh is data
 Speaking of the growth of the Ger man, influence at Constantinople as against that of England. zia Pasha ex- pressed the opinion that reports of Ger man ascendency at the porte were oth- erwise greatly exaggerated. This was the outgrowth of the concession grant cd Germany to build the Bagdad rail- road. he said. As a matter of fact Ger many is striving to be friendly with all nations.
 Do you see any danger of the loss of any tributory states in the Balkan tier, for example?" was asked
 None whatever" said his eNcellency. T see some reports about an uprising. in Albania. That is an old story The Albanians have no grievances and are content with Ottoman supervision. In short. there is Likelihood of any further dismemberment of the Turkish empire. This war which Italy has forced upon us is most regrettable in every way and most unjust. Turkey will defend herself and fulfill her duty toward herself and the world''