Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-26
ITALY PROCLAIMS THE
ANNEXATION OF TRIPOLI

Italy's uitimatum of September q.
threatening occupation of Tripoh. was
followed by a proclamation of
1taly's annexation of that country
November 3. The proclama-
MUG. ton was communicated to the
foreign powers by Marquis di San Gull
ano, minister of foreign affairs. In the
following terms:
1.-THE occupation Of the principal cities
of the Tripolitan and of the Cyrensian.
the constant success of the Italian arms,
the preponderant forces already sent
and those ready to be sent. render vain
any attempt at resistance by Turkey.
Any other solution less radical which
would leave the shadow Of a nominal
sovereignty in the sultan over these
provinces would become the permanent
cause Of conflicts between Italy and
Turkey, conflicts which later on would
constitute a danger for the peace Of Eu-
rore.
1.-THE solution adopted is the only one
which may safely guard the interests
of Italy, Europe, and even OF Turkey.
peace signed on this basis Will eiim-
mate all cause of profound divergence be-
tween Italy and Turkey, and Italy may
thus direct her policy in the way of
maintaining the territorial status quo in
the Balkanic peninsula, whose consolida-
ton is an essential condition for the
Ottoman empire"
insists that Turkey should accept these
conditions because Italy Is disposed to
examine them in a spirit Of the greatest
Cancellation and in the most honorable
way for Turkey under the circumstances
There is much more in the same strain.
Tho note has the style of stereotyped
ministerial communications made to ap-
plicants for decorations, for example
Perhaps the minister. In writing his note
laid his hand unconsciously on the wrong
blank?
Italy is disposed, according to Marquis
di San Giuliano's note, to accord her loyal
aid to Turkey in defending the integrity
of her European and Asiatic territory and
also the development Of the Ottoman en-
pire. Italy Is partisan of the status quo in
the orient and absolutely opposed to any
territorial aspirations in the Balkans.
If Turkey does not decide to conclude
peace with Italy promptly Italy threat
ems, in order to Yorce
Threat of Turkey to a reasonable
state of mind in politi-
Aggression. cal as well as economi-
cal interests, to send a fleet into the
AEGEAN sea.
A dispatch dated Constantinople. Mo-
vember 20. reports fleet of Italian war
ships of the entrance of the Dardanelles,
which, it is assumed, is a manifestation
on the part of the Italian government to
execute its threat to extend the limits OF
its naval operations.
Turkey, on her part, has not been idle.
It is true Turkey without an efficient
no tn xxifn
cupation Of Tripoli without the posi-
bility of running the gauntlet of Italian
| ironclads that bar the way. Turkey has
addressed protestation against Italy s
acts to all the signatories Of the act OF
The Hague of 1907.
| The protestation to the powers was de-
cided upon after the reception Of a dis
patch from Col. Neschat the commander
in-chief of the Turkish troops at Tripoli.
| Col. Neschat alleges that a consider
able number Of women and children were
killed. and among them bodies that had
been slaughtered as sheep" Col. Neschat
invites the attention of the civilized pow
| ers to these butcherfes.
| The Turkish note insists at great length
upon the excuses attributed to Italy.
| Turkey had not followed that policy. but.
1 on the contrary. had ordered that all
prisoners should be well treated and that
turbed.
To all these stories of atrocities COM
mitted, or alleged to have been COM
mitted. Gen. Caneva, commanding the
Italian troops in Tripoli. opposed a
general denial Wherever cruelties
had been committed 1t was In retAlia-
ton for acts of violence and sayagery
committed upon italian wounded or
by acts Of treachery on the part Of
Arabs to whom the Italian troops were
doing acts Of kindness and mercy.
X
We have seen that the accusations
have been industriously exploited by
the press in England,
Massacre Germany and America.
p.,,r+. and the latter govern
nepoiIS. ment sent the cruiser
Chester to discover the facts If posi-
ble On the other hand, special cor
respondent of LIE Temps of Paris. writ
ing from Tripoli, praises the Italian
soldiers and officers, as, indeed, the
Arabs and Turks, as "men who fight
like FOOLS"
In reading the reports of the italian
staff on the combats of October 80
and 26. which gave rise to the stories
of excuses committed by the Italians.
the correspondent affirms that the at
tack of the Turks and Arabs was con-
Quoted with method and after a well
6StdDuSneQ plan. IL was not a nerc6
push, an imbecile rush of a horde with
out direction, or of a bloody fantasia"
but regulars and irregulars each had
his place and role and each knew what
he was to do and when to do it
All the Arabs have been placed un-
der Turkish officers and have been
given necessary training by Neschat
and Fethy Bey, who have constituted
an effective military force out of the
mass of Arabs and negroes arrived
from Fezzan. 1t will take time for
Italy to vanquish these new-made
troops. Already they have learned to
fight lying down. to advance by bounds
and cover themselves whenever DOS
sible, and, in fact, they have adopted
methods of modern warfare. Naturally.
their preparation is incomplete, but
they are learning every day
The taking of Tripoli was easy. but
it is henceforth that the task COM
mences to be difficult. The present
situation appears to be as follows:
Italy occupies Tripoli, Benghazi and
Derna. Italy Is ready to pay a certain
sum Of money, because of expropria-
ton of domain, to the khalifat for ar
tistic and archaeological property. Italy
would make declarations analogous
to those made by Austria Hungary
and would renounce her rights to
the capitulations when other powers
would also renounce them. Turkey
should consent to an augmentation of
4 per cent on the customs dues and the