Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-14
THE ITAL0-TURKISH TRUCE

From a military point of view the Turks
ana Arabs. Having lost. Ain-Zara. have
lost their base of opera
Military tons against Tripoli and
c.4. will be obliged to retire
0is"7tiVA. to Mount Garian. about
ninety-five miles from the coast. The
territory of Tripoli Is thus i'll the hands
of the Italians. whose efforts now VIII
be concentrated against the Cyrenaic
with 10000 well equipped men. The fate
of the Cyrenaic, Of Benhazi and Derna
Is imminent.
For fact the dispatches presage the
conclusion OF a war which. although not
so red as usual has nevertheless kept
all Europe on tenterhooks lest its sparks
set off that dread powder magazine-the
Balkans.
The political atmosphere is undoubtedly
clouded. AT a glance the Franco-Ger-
man treaty still hangs low on the hori-
zon. the relations between France ana
Spain are disturbed, Persia is perturbed.
Crete is again inclined to trouble, China
is in the midst of serious revolution. and
finally there was a cloud which hunS
for a moment over Egypt. but that has
been apparently dissipated
The German press has been greatly
excited over a dispatch which announced
that England had seized and occupied the
Turkish fortress on the Cyrenaic coast
of Tripoli. The Italian minister at
London promptly protested. and IT was
answered that Sollum. although occu-
pied by a Turkish detachment was FOR
fact the property of Egypt. and Eng
land had inspired its occupation by Egyp-
tian soldiers in Egypt's name.
x
England. it was said, arranged that the
Turks should abandon Sollum and OBJ
tanned the concession
The SOllum from the porte on the
following terms: First.
ASsuc' England would exercise
what was named benevolent neutrality )
second, England would prevent Italy, II
possible, from taking naval action In the
archipelago; third, England would CO.
operate in maintaining peace in the Bal
kans.
The German critics nevertheless insisted
that while Egypt nominally possessed
Sollum it was Downing street that was
the real owner.
Sollum is situated on the Cyrenaic
coast of Tripoli about 100 miles from
Tobrouk. The district OF Soiiiim IN
cludes bay of that name, which, with
that of Tobrouk. constitutes the best an
chorage on the coast Turkey has always
contended that the Tripolltan front er ex-
tended to Rae ell Kanai at the 9TH degree
54th minute east longitude. Egypt on the
other hand has maintained that her IRON
tier should be drawn 200 miles iarthet;
The dispute dates from the time OF
Mechanically in 1S41. Turkey con-
structed a small fortress at Sollum. when,
actually garrisoned by Turkish detach-
ment was included in the zone of the
Italian blockade and about TO De DOM
barded when England interfered and on
the cond tons above mentioned procured
its provisional evacuation by the Turks
and its occupation by the Arabs, II pc
ing understood that Italy accepted tnat
situation, leaving the question OF from
tiers to he determined after her conflict
with Turkey.
Manifestly the question of Sollum has
brought up the discussion. perhaps ex-
plantations, of other points indirectly con-
nected Herewith. Among these tnere
should be mentioned the recent occupation
of Djanet by the French.
The economical Importance of the oasis
of Djanet to the French is manifest. 1t
is situated about sixty. miles
Oasis of from the Turkish post of
Chat, south Of Ghadames.
OJdACI. According to the Franco
English agreement of 1899 Djanet was
placed in the French zone of influence.
In 1904 Capt Touchard commanding at
Touggourt, occupied Djanet, and in 1906
Commandant Robert was preparing an
expedition to make the occupation def
mite when NJ Clemenceau, then president
- ,i.iS
military penetration of the territory. Sub
sequently, November y, 1911. the French
flag was hoisted over Djanet. 1t is
distinct gain for the pacific passage and
protection of caravans from the south 10
Gabes and another reason for the con-
struction of the proposed transsanarlan
railway. The mountainous regions are
reputed rich in minerals, and the valleys
being very fertile, are susceptible of the
highest cultivation. The accord between
France and Italy over the occupation OF
Djanet was concluded when France as
scented to Italy's occupation of Tripoli.
In 1880 England still maintained that
she would evacuate Egypt as she had
solemnly pledged her sacred honor she
would. Yet England In 1870 was prepar-
ing to offer to France an interchange or
interests: English interests i'm Morocco
in exchange for French interests In
Egypt. The manner of doing what ap-
pears to have been profound secret
even with the diplomatic agent in Cairo,
NAV be found in recent article IN The
Questions Diplomatiques eft Coloniales,"
by Prof. Henry Sage of the French Law
School at Cairo, entitled The Situation
of Egypt in the Italo-Turkish Conflict.
The au -flor writes:
Declaration concerning Egypt and
Morocco signed at London, April 8, 1904.
by France and England: Article 1. The
government of his Britannia majesty de-
clares that it has no intention of chang
ing it's policy in Egypt. Article .. The
government of the republic declares that
it has no intention of changing it's policy
in Morocco"
France having changed her policy in
Morocco, England, it is said, will use
that fact as basis for her
Egyptian change of policy in Egypt
Prof Henry Sage declares
1VA0y' that the appointment of
Gen. Kitchener was made to prepare for
such change. 1t is announced, besides,
that England has taken other measures
looking to her protectorate in Egypt.
Among these she is asking that the sew
eral powers. signatorie of the treaty
which guaranteed the hereditary vice
royalty to the family of Mohammed-Aly.
may in view of certain concessions aban-
don their privileges in Egypt under the
capitulations.
The situation OF Egypt in the 1talo-
Turkish conflict is particularly interest
ing, for it must be borne in MIND mat