Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-31
THE WAR OVER TRIPOLI.

THE WAR OVER TRIP0LI.
The beginning of the war between
Italy and Turkey was almost simulta-
neous with the outbreak Of the revolu-
ton in China. It took the world at
large by surprise. however much 1t
may have been expected by inner Dip
lomatic circles. Italy presented de-
mands to Turkey with regard to Trip
oil, and gave the Turk three days to
reply. September 90. the demand not
having been acceded to, Italy declared
cession of Turkeys sovereignty In the
North African dependency, and after
the war began the Italian government
announced that it would be satisfied
with nothing less than the annexation
of Tripoli. Italy has large CONNER
cial interests there, and these, she
claims. were constantly thwarted under
Turkish rule.
In the first weeks of the war there was
continuous series of Italian successes.
A fleet of warships under Rear Admiral
Aubrey was sent across the tour hundred
miles Of water between the Italian pen
city Of Tripoli was bombarded and taken.
and an army Of 10000 men was landed.
A squadron under the command OF the
Duke of the Abruzzi blockaded Prevlsa
on the Adriatic sea. just north of Greece.
and sunk number of small Turkish war.
ships. Turkey seemed helpless Her naval
strength was nothing compared with
Italy's. Her army was far away from
the scene of the war and she had no
means Of transporting troops. The Turks.
after vainly seeking to obtain the inter
vention Of the great powers, retaliated by
ordering the expulsion of all Italians from
m. 81 q l.
ian goods. The powers warned Italy not
to carry the war into European Turkey.
Success to Be Costly.
But in spite of Italy's initial successes
it soon became evident that complete sue
cess would be costly to her. In the latter
part Of October cholera broke out among
her troops, and fierce resistance was en-
countered from the Arabs. Italian re-
verses were reported following attempts
to advance into the interior. and many
cry Of Arabs by the Italian soldiery, ex-
asperated at the treachery, within the
Italian lines. Of supposedly friendly ma
tives. After four weeks of war 1t was
admitted in Rome that a force of many
1 more than 10000 men would be needed to
| subjugate the province, and as the year
| closes this task is laboriously being
pushed forward.
IHo new constitution OF HOEtuSdI wen.
into effect August Is. Immediately
afterward the entire provisional govern
| ment which assumed power at the over
| throw of the monarchy, in October, 1910.
| sembly elected DIR. Manuel Arriaga first
! constitutional president. In the early fall
| the new government was called upon 10
put down several royalist uprisings In
\ October severe fighting occurred in the
! northern part of the country. where the
| loyalist sentiment Is strongest, and the
monarchists captured several small
towns; The government, however, sue,
| the year closes with 1t apparently firm
| In power.
| Persia in Continuous War.
/ Persia was in the midst Of war and
| Its alarms the better part Of the year.
| The attempt Of the deposed Shah Mo-
manned Ali Mira to regain the throne
| led to several pitched battles being
fought. and ended in his decisive defeat.
1 But peace did not come to the emp re.
/ for in November Russia occupied the
| two northern provinces with troops, os-
! tensbly for the purpose OF wringing
| from Persia an apology for an alleged
insult given to the Russian vice consul
| at Teheran by w. Morgan Shuster, an
American experienced in government
| administration, who had been appointed
/ treasurer general OF Persia, with COM
plete control Of the collection and dis
tribution Of all revenues Sinister, after
the defeat of the deposed shah, seized
the property of Mohammed Ali Mira in
| spite of the fact that 1t was guarded by
i Russian Cossacks; hence the insult OF
Russia. Shuster persisted In holding
the property, the Persian cabinet fell as
a result of the quarrel with Russia, and
finally the Russian invasion was begun
an act which Wrung a reluctant apology
from the Persian government for Mr..
Shuster's act.
Late in November Russia demanded the
removal Of Shuster, and when the Per
sian parlia nient unanimously refused tt
surrender to the ultimatum, the cars
troops were ordered to march on Teheran
the Persian capital. Great Britain back
ed up Russia in her demand for Shusters
removal; the Persian parliament, how
ever, for days remained firm In its de-
termination to retain Shuster, but finally
December %, surrendered to the inevita
Bile and Russia was notified that Persia
would dismiss it's American treasurer
general In the meantime Russian ant
Persian troops had been in conflict ~
], several centers. and as the year closes
, Russia is grimly engaged in the work 81
furnishing the Fidais for daring to de
fend their country against Russian ag
erosion. The dawning of 1912 will FIND
Persia in great danger both from part.
ton by Russia and Great Britain ant
civil war.
Other countries in which war occurred
, during the year were Honduras ant
Haiti the revolution in each case beinl
successful. In Honduras Davila wa
!, succeeded by Francisco Beltran as pro
. visional president, and in Haiti PTesi
|, dent Simon was replaced by Gen. lie
, conte, one of the revolutionary leaders.