The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-06-04
TURKISH BACK poor INVASION.

TURKISH BACK DOOR INVASION.
Again the chancclleries have been
thrown into flutter of apprehension
over prospect of Italian invasion of
the Turkish mainland. and consequent
general upheaval in the Balkans
There was similar apprehension when
Italy knocked at the door of the
Dardanelles, it being feared that she
intended to attempt pounding her way
through the strait with view to BON.
harding Constantinople and landing an
army on European Turkish soil.
however, it soon became apparent that
the Dardanelles demonstration was
designed simply TO draw the Turkish
leet from cover and bring on a de-
clSlVe naval engagement, if possible.
railing in this, italy turned her at
tention to picking up more islands in
the AEGEAN, with tho obvious Intention
of holding them as hostages, through
which to force Turkey to the surrcn
der of Tripoh. Since it was generally
recognized that italy had no purpose
OIL permanent possession of these I'm
aular fragments" the policy of oc-
cupying them was negatively encour
aged at least, as both wise and adroit.
and the nerves of the chancellerIes
became steady once more.
But now there are signs and nor
tents that In certain CONTINGENCIES
italy may lind her opportunity in in
vading Turkey through the back door
Although the Turkish authorities seek
to minimize the situation in Albania.
and official news regarding il is cx-
tremely difficult to obtain, from very
reliable sources II is learned that the
latest revolt there Is threatening to
assume moro formidable proportions.
Twelve thousand thoroughly organ
ized' Aibanians are reported as AL
ready under arms. to say nothing OF
large numbers of detached bands that
are awaiting the signal to Join the
orsanized and disciplined nucleus. a
part OF the latter are camped near the
frontier of Servia, In which country
the Albanian cause has thousands OF
sEinpathi2ers. and 1t is known that for
some time Albanian emissaries have
been sodulously at work among the
Albanian eNiles and their descendants
In the north of Italy. who are also
numbered by the thousands.
most interesting fact connected
with the revolt. which imparts to IL
tinge OF romance, and which is cal
cu'ated to prove potent influence
IN UNI EinS the Albanians. is that 1t is
led by Georgia Castr'ota, n direct de-
scendant of Scanderbeg, and as such
claimant of the throne of Albania.
Scanderoeg. who. in the fifteenth
century. so successfully defended
his throne against Amurath and
Ai""ofhet H., Is the most pic
tnresque and valiant figure in all AL
bantam history. He Is far beyond all
other men tho hero OF the country
and his name is with every Albanian
an inspiration to strike for revenge
independence and the restoration of
the ancient glory OF the nation. Cas-
triota. In n recent interview given our
at Brindisi. while Oh his way to Corfu
expressed the greatest confidence I'm
the breaking out Of q universal All.
bantam revolution, or rather in uni
Versal support Of his movement. when
mis- preparations Were complete.
In That event 1t could not hut he
tremendous temptation to Italy TO
throw an invading force across the
Adriattc to cooperate with the revo-
iutlon'sts. Whether. however. It
comes to actual invasion or not. 1T can
DC readily understood that the stun
'ion would seem to play most advan
tageously into the hands OF Italy. If
IL aocs not In fact make for peace by
causing the powers to press Turkey to
treat for terms. What with the ac
knowledged critical situation In tho
Balkans. even the menace of Invasion
is something for chancellerics to
reckon with to tho end of concerted
action to prevent possibly general
outbreak and war In the nearer East
ana the revision OF the map OF n large
area of Southeastern Europe. But. I'm
any event, and at all events. so far
as Italy alone is concerned, she has
'he whip hand. Is using 1t, and has
peen using II. and IS m position to
continue to use it with telling effect I'm
driving the powers to mediate" on
her side
who killed the fly? I'm tho ,,,,. =.