The Detroit times., 1911-10-10
TURKEY is STUBBORN
NATION TO CONQUER
DECLARES GEN. MILES
Not Until Russian Army Of $780,
600 Was at Gates Of Constan-
tinopIe Did Country Submit.
PEACE OF EUROPE IN PERIL
No Nation Can Let War Drag On
Indefinitely and Italy Must
Force the Issue.
BY GEN. NELSON A. MILES.
Copyright 1911, BY ths Nswspapsr
Enterprise Assoclatlon.l


Copyright 1911, BY the Nswspapsr
Enterprise Assoclstlon.)
A view of the military situation in
the TurixishItaiian war necessities
first brief comparison Of the mini
tary resources and strength OF both
countries.
The Italian army actually with the
colors consists OF about 100000 men
and l,272 guns, the Turkish army of
about 100000 men and 1.l64 guns.
Including all reserves and militia
al men or some military training and
organization the Italians could muster
on land approximately 100000 men.
The Turkish reserve strength n un-
known. Italy has population a. -
million to draw from. Turkey - mil
lion. The navy OF Italy q FAR superior
to that OF Turkey both IN ehips and
Ia the efficiency Of its personnel. The
superiority Is so great that Turkey
cannot hope to contend with Italy q
sea. Nor has Turkey the means Of
building navy which could compete
with Italy.
Italy has declared war against Tnr.
key for the possession OF the province
OF Tripoli She has bombarded the
city OF Tripoli and other cities and
landed troops. Turkey Is known to
have few troops In, Tripoli and the
Italian control over the coast towns y
now assured.
VIII Turkey Back Downf
Now the question arises, Il this to
Ard IN MIN rt....I~>-~ .--.~l......
In the loss of Tripoli, or win she con-
tinue the war7 II Turkey makes
peace, or IL forced TO make peace
when the Italian fiag floats over ALI
the ports Of Tripoli. II win be but
short war and not bloody one. But
II she does not, what then?
Italy has declared war and she viii
have to bring Il to q conclusion. No
nation can afford to let war drag on
Indefinitely. In thia case. Italian
finances would demand that the con-
fiict be concluded. But TO force Tur.
key 70 submission to Italian demands
direct military pressure must ~
brought BY Italy upon Turkey Itself.
Turkey. n Der last greet war, 1877
~ showed great powers of reeistancs
/ 1t was not until 4 Russlal army had
crossed the Balkans, captured Adrian
opIe and was at the gates OF Constan-
tinople that they submitted. II took
$4,000 Russians to DO It and Shipka
and Plevna are still military synon-
yms for obstinate defenses
II Italy has to carry the war to Con-
stantinople she viii, no doubt, en-
counter as great, II not greater. resist
ns nstf - - u. -
sea. through the superiority Of her
navy, she may, II she must. land
armies where she chooses. she might
land In Albania just across the Adriat-
ic from her own port of Beindisi, OF
she might transport an army to Salon
lea or at some point on the Turkish
coast within $50 miles OF CONSTANT
nple
Africa 10 stumbling Block.
In the meanwhile her hands viii
probably be full In Tripoli To con-
quer African provinces European ma
tions have always had much blood to
spill. The Italians themselves have
suffered humiliation and great losses
In Abyssinia, the French and English
have fought to conquer Egypt for 100
years and at the end OF q twelve-year
struggle. France was forced TO 70
10000 men into the field against the
Algerians
From the Turkish standpoint many
courses are possible. but the best
course Is not that OF invading Italy.
Turkey cannot invade Italy without
crossing the sea or the neutral terri
tory OF Austria and both are closed to
her. She may, however, inclte q relig-
ious war In Tripoli which will keep
the Italian forces under the guns OF
their feet and at the same time. she
can delay and prepare to resist At
Italian invasion of her territory IN
Europe. or she may, by aggression
against Greece or the Balkan states.
so involve the European powers that
they will be forced to interfere and
end the war.
II the young Turk party, SO recently
come TO power, has Arm grip on the
reins of government and can con
solidate the nation for war OF de-
tense. the first course seems TO prom
ise as much as any policy Of pure de-
fense could hope for. II, however. the
involves the powers by reprisals In
the Balkans OF In Greece. many com
plications may arise and when the
day OF settlement comes she can hope
only for the cold mercy that springs
from the mutual jealousy OF the Euro
pean states.
NELSON A. MILES.
Lieutenant General, United States
Arv,.v DAflw.A F.