The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1911-10-04
Fighting Over Some Dis
puted Possessions.
TURKEY REFUSED TO YIELD
Italy'S Navy 0utclaSSeS Tur-
key-Matter Reversed as
TO Land Forces.
STRENGTH OF THE COUNTRIES

Italy declared war on Turkey
Thursday. This action followed
the refusal of Turkey to accede to
the demands of Italy. The declara-
ton of hostilities followed the ex-
tended consideration by the Italian
cabinet of the latest Turkish reply.
Turkey absolutely denied the con-
tention of Italy that Italy's interest
in Tripoli had been threatened and
expressed the hope that Italy would
deslst from its threat of force. The
reply. however. failed to recognize
Italy's right to assume control of
the territory in dispute.
The declaration OF war caused
great surprise in official circles at
Washington.
What It's All About.
Italy demands that Turkey, which
for three hundred years has domi-
mated Tripoli, Shall surrender all
of her rights to Italy, so that it can
develop the colony.
Tripoli is very fertile on the
coast, desert in the interior, but
capable of great development.
Lloyds is charging 40 per cent.
premium for insurance against war.
Something About Countries.
Italy's standing army in 1910-11
numbered approximately $4,000
men and Il, 900 officers. but p far
greater number could be put in the
field in case of necessity. The Ital-
ian navy consists in vessels COM
missioned. built or building. of IL
battleships. armored cruisers, II
unarmored cruisers and gun yes
sells, sc destroyers, an equal num-
Der of first-class torpedo boats and
l22 submarines. In the naval force
there are about 81 900 men.
Seamen for the fleet are recruit
ed by conscription and all men fol-
lowing the seafaring life. of 90
years of age, must serve at sea for
Is months or more. The navy is
administered by the Minister of
Marine, who is responsible to Par
lament, and there are three naval
districts, each administered by a
flag officer. AS a whole the Italian
navy is generally ranked fifth
among nations.
Naval lists show that Turkey has
fighting strength OF nine coast
defense ironclads, five protected
cruisers, six torpedo vessels, one
gunboat, twenty-one torpedo de-
stroyers, twenty-seven torpedo
boats and two submarines. AS
compared with the greater nations.
this array is negligible quantity.
There are 929 officers, 10000 sail
Ors and 5000 marines. English
and American officers play an i'm
portant part in Turkish naval af-
fairs.
The Ottoman army, as a result of
the revolution which resulted in
victory for the young Turks. is now
in process of reorganization, but
military council has been called
into existence and a great deal of
modern equipment has been pur-
chased.
The empire is divided into seven
army corps districts and there are
two Independent divisions at Medi-
ma and Tripoli respectively. The
total fighting strength is close to
100000 men, and by the existing
recruiting laws all Mussulmans are
liable to military service. Christ
ians and certain sects have paid the
exemption tax. The nomad Arabs,
although liable to service by law.
furnish few or no recruits. and
many Kurds evade service. Much
the best of the army is in European
Turkey.
Inst ThundeP