The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-10-18
LUST FOR MORE LAND

Russia, England, Italy, Germany, Aus
tria, France, All May Fight for
Piece of the
Country.
I UNITED Press Leased Wire Service.
/ LONDON, Oct. 1S.-By the sudden
ness with which it assumed the ac-
lively offensive Turkey unquestion-
ably has taken the Balkan quadruple
a lance by surprise despite their as
sertions of preparedness for the
struggle. according to messages to-
day from disinterested military ex-
perts at the front,
/ The allies did not delay their dec
/ larations Of hostilities it appears
i from any desire to avoid clash but
because they were not ready for war.
! Bulgaria, in particular it was learned
4 today. was greatly disappointed at
4 the unsatisfactory nature of the peo-
\ pies response to Gear Ferdinand's
call to the colors, 1t was expected
that $4,000 fighting men would be
modified within few days. The
force actually mustered did not ex.
ceed 250,O00 today.
Bulgaria is by far the most formid
able of the four nations in arms
against the sultan, and the unexpect-
ed indifference manifested by it's re
, serves was a heavy blow to the
allies hopes.
Diplomats expressed the opinion to
day that the campaign, SO far as thu
Balkan nations are concerned, will b,
!, brief Nearly all predicted Tur
! kish victory,
This VIII not mean however. tha
: trouble will be ended. A victory eth
er by the Turks or by the allies ma.
merely mark the beginning of vast
ly greater conflict between the big
ger powers. Il.
For all of their protestations o
lit is known that Austria and Russi'
Y will have formidable forces mobilizet
{ in readiness to intervene in the figh
at moments notice, Should th'
; Turks win, Russia will probably as
3 sunle the aggressive; if the allies
9 Austria may be expected to act
! Whichever may interfere, the othe
: will assuredly object and it's objection
q undoubtedly take the shape of a re
: sort to arms.
Russian influence is paramount il
e Bulgaria, Servia and Montenegro. Il
i the event of their success, it is ceI
tain that the czar-Minister Sazonof
e naturally has denied twill bac
q them in demand for a liberal slic
: of Turkish territory.
Austria wants to annex the Balka
e peninsula itself. 1t cannot afford t
/ see Turkey beaten, for the SAME rea
son that it fs to Russia's interest t
have the sultan lose. In an emers
ency, therefore. it is more than likel
to go to his aid.
/ Germany's hopes are so closel
v bound up with Austria's that Kaise
Wilhelm could not permit his ally t
r be crushed, but would have to hel
Z. Austria against the czar. England
not only Russia's ally, but is dete,
r mined to prevent the teutonic comb
J. nation from extending its authorit
+ farther into the southeast. Franc,
diplomats agree, both as an ally c
r England and Russia, and in view {
the opportunity general struggl
/ would afford for the recovery of A
saace-L Lorraine, would be more tha
, likely TO take hand.
n Italy has interests of its own in tn
5 Balkans. For years it has covete
e. Albania So closely following it's wa
in Tripol it probably would not war
to fight again, but rather than Sc
the trio on the east shore of the A,
Ratio pass forever into other hand
= diplomats say they do not see how
= could keep out of the conflict.
y would, to some extent, be on bot
y sides. 1t is allied with Germany an
!. Austria; yet it's claim to Alban
- would clash with Austria's and wit
;. Russia's as we'll.
So 1t is not, as men in high dipl
y. matte positions here remark, the W;
p. between Turkey and the Balkan q
lies which causes the European cha
cellories such grave uneasipess, b.
the possibilities, almost the probab
r ity, Of general European outbreak
ar If the allies were fighting mere
ly to rescue their kinsmen in Turkt
from oppression the matter wou
not be SO serious, but their object
is said is territorial expansion at Tt
keys expense.