New-York tribune., 1912-01-25
ITALY HOLDS 29 CAPT|YES
Discusses Their Release with
France, but Fails to Act.
READY TO GO TO THE HAGUE
Admits That France Is EXercis-
ing Admirably Her Duty as a
. Neutral Power.

Rome, Jan. 24.-The subject of the de-
tention, Of twenty-nine Turks, said to be
members Of the Red Crescent Society, by
the Italian authorities, who captured
them on the French steamer Manouba,
was fully discussed to-day between Pre-
mier Giolitti, Foreign Minister Marquis
di San Giuliano and the French Ambas-
sador to Italy, Camille Barrere. The
conferences have been very cordial, and
1t is expected that satisfactory solu-
| tiol will soon be found but the Turks
are still held under arrest at Cagliari,
Sardinia.
The Italian Foreign Minister expressed
his regret that the incident should even
have threatened the cordial relations
| that existed between France and Italy,
| but maintained that his country's right
to capture and search ships of neutral
nations suspected of carrying contra
| band of war could not be questioned.
This he said, had been the course fol-
| lowed not only in the case Of French
steamers. but also with British, German
and Austrian vessels. 1t was pointed out
that other nations have acted similarly
in recent years, and that Italy was ready
| to submit the cases TO the Hague tri-
| bunal and pay indemnity if an error had
been committed.
Italy does not. however, admit any linn
| itation of that right. 1t is her intention
to protect her army before the enemy.
So far as the Italian authorities will
speak, the examination OF the Turks in
question seems to have proved that both
doctors and nurses were included in the
group of prisoners but II is suspected
that the object of their presence was to
distract attention from others, who are
believed TO be Turkish officers. as they
were in possession of arms. maps and
check for a large sum OF money.
Italian officials call attention to the
fact that another alleged Red Crescent
expedition was halted in Egypt recently
| by General Kitchener and sent back. as
it was composed of belligerents.
Italy admits that France is exercising
her duty admirably as a neutral power.
but urges that France should not resent
the wish on the part of Italy, even If a
mistake is made. 10 exercise what she
considers to be her right, as neither
France nor any other nation can guar
antee that in applying all possible meas
ures to observe strict neutrality she may
not be deceived.
Paris. Jan. 4.-The Foreign Office to-
night received a dispatch from Camille
| Barrere. French Ambassador in Rome re-
porting on the result OF the interview
which the ambassador had to-day with
Marquis di San Giuliano, tho Italian For
| eign Minister
| While maintaining the strictest reserve
as TO what passed, the French Foreign
! Office declares that the pourparlers with
| reference to the Turkish prisoners taken
by the italian authorities from the French
steamer Manouba have made good prog
ress, and continues 10 hope that salts
factory solution Will be reached.
| London. jan 3f-The activity OF italian
war vessels In the Mediterranean and the
Red Sea is causing increasing uneasiness in
shipping insurance circles. Several large
| assurances have been effected during the
last two days at Lloyds in this connection.
A premium of per cent was accepted 10
cover the risk Of an outbreak Of hostilities
between France and Italy in the course
of the next four months. and although
there is no apparent reason for such an
occurrence, a premium of 6 per cent was
paid on the risk Of the outbreak OF war
between Great Britain and France and
Germany within the next six months.
The Italian action in stopping steamers
irrespective Of their nationality and
searching them for Turkish officers and
contraband is believed TO be an evidence
of the determination of the Italian govern
ment to put an end 10 Turkish resistance
in Trtpoli as speedily as possible. It is
thought, however, that these activities
may give rise to complications with those
European powers whose shipping is put to
inconvenience.
The stoppage OF the Austrian Lloyd
steamer Bregenz yesterday in the Red Sea
is regarded here as likely to lead 10 an
exchange Of views between Austria and
Italy.