The Detroit times., 1911-12-27
ITALY HAS LONG HAD EYE
ON AFRICAN TERRITORY
Realizes That Moment Is Ripe in
European Politics To Ex-
pand Her Domain.
BY HENRY WOOD.
Rome Correspondent Of the United
Press and Detroit Times.

ROME, Dec. 27.--All of the steps
leading up to Italy's occupation OF
Tripoli and Cyrenaica and the actual
declaration of war against Turkey
We're most methodical
These steps began, of course, when
Italy first decided that Tripoli and
Cyrenaica offered the best opportun-
ity for the satisfying of the three mo.
uves explained in the first OF these
articles and which, from Italy's stand
point, at least, made the acquisition
OF an Italian colony imperative. Italy
OF course saw the advantages that
would come from having this colony
SO close to them. She also realized
that these two Turkish colonies con-
stituted the only remaining African
territory on the entire Mediterran-
can sea that was not already under
the protectorate OF some European
power. She, likewise, realized that
the moment was ripe in European
politics for her 10 secure her share
not only OF Mediterranean but Afri.
can territory, IL she was ever to Sc
cure IL.
Undoubtedly Italy secured in ad-
vance, II not the permission, at least,
the acquiesence of the European pow
ers to her occupation OF Tripoli and
Cyrensica. With this acquiesence Sc
cured she at once proceeded 10 mobil-
ize the army, station her warships SO
as to protect all Italian ports, and
prepare for blockading Turkey
With all of these preparations COM
pleted, Italy then sent a note to Tur-
key, and a copy to all of the powers.
In which she pointed out that for
years past the moral and material
development Of Tripoli and Cyrena-
lea under Turkish rule had Jagged
far beyond that of other countries,
That italy had sought repeatedly to
develop the two territories but that
the Turks had repeatedly interfered,
and that it, therefore. had now be-
come apparent that Italy must as
sumo a military protectorate over the
country in order TO insure it's future
development. In concluding. Italy
stated that any further attempt on
the part Of Turkey to send arms, am
munltion or troops into Tripoli would
therefore be regarded as hostile act.
At this time, Italy made II under
stood that she did not desire the SOW
she was willing should remain with
Turkey but merely military pro-
.tectorate that would enable Italian
capital TO develop the country with
out opposition and without the imposi-
ion OF unnecessary cost. In addition.
Italy made II known that she was
willing TO pay an indemnity that was
placed, unofficially, at 250,000.000 lire.
In reply to this note. Turkey sent
the ship Derna to Tripoli. loaded with
arms and ammunition, and an attempt
was made to land them. The ship
was sunk In the Tripoli harbor by
the Italians and 24-hour ultimatum
sent to Turkey demanding that in the
interests of the future development
of Tripoli. both materially and moral
ly. Italy at once be granted protec-
torate.
During these "a hours Italy sent or
ders to its fleets. so that even before
the "a hours expired. Italian war ves-
sells were cruising off the immediate
coast OF Tripoli. ready to make a
forcible occupation, and other fleets
were dispatched TO strategic points,
as we'll as along the Turkish terri.
tory bordering on the Adriatic.
AS a consequence. when Turkey had
refused the ultimatum at the expira-
ton OF "a hours, Italy declared war
and was prepared 10 effect speedily
a complete blockade OF the ports OF
Tripoli and Cyrenaica, TO begin hos
tile action against the few Turkish
torpedo boats and cruisers that hap
pened to be away from protecting
ports.