The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-08-02
rrnl1r, M1LLlNc no rnAcn.


TURKEY WILLING TO PEACE.
Within the last two weeks decided
and mos, Important change appears
10 have come over the spirit Of Tur-
Keys dream The government has
taken wise counsel Of Internal menace
and decentralization. and concluded that
in all the circumstances. discretion is
the better part Of valor.
About the middle Of July the italian
government intlmated to the powers
Willingness nay. desire. to bring the
Turko-Italisn War to a close outlin-
ms as basis of terms Of peace. tho
payment by italy Of heavy cash in
dcmnity to Turkey. in consideration of
the transfer Of the sovereignty Of
rripoh to the former Italy also pro
posed a similar, or some other salts
factory adjustment. in respect Of tho
turkish islands In the Aegean she had
seized and the powers were unomciai-
ly and tentatively solicited to lend their
good Offices to bringing the beligeren,s
together IN peace conversations" II
agreeable TO the Ottoman authorities
The Turkish ministry then existing
however. inspired and dominated as it
was, by the Committee OF Union and
Progress Indignantly louted the pro-
position Through the Grand vizlcr IT
announced that Turkey declined to
consider all such overtures and de-
clared that she intended to maintain
her sovereignty In Trpol at any cost
Thereupon tho Chamber OF Deputies
passed a vote Of confidence in the gov
eminent"
But now according to tho lates, dis
patches from Constantinople. X IS Bar
lds that is willing Not only has the
new ministry. in proclaiming its pro
sram ana policy. expressed itself in
favor of entering into peace negoua-
tions. but despite the efforts OF the
Committee Of Union and Progress to-
prevent It, the chamber has Endorsed
the ministry and voted confidence in
IT 10y an overwhelming majority This
radical reversal is significant OF two
thlngs-of little less than a complete
breakdown of tho Youns Turk regime.
as represented in the Committee of
Union and Progress. and of recognition
that all the resources Of the empire
may he needed to enforce domestic
peace, insure against civil war. and
forestan state Of anarchy that would
anticipate dissolution and partition
through outside interpretation as a
duty TO civilization and 10 humanity"
Il
iemptuous haughtiness with which
Turkey mas over since the aocendency
of the new Turk party tried to CON
ocal the fact that the new regime is
the most hollow pretcnsc Of reform.
and that the ottoman power is nearer
falling TO pieces. owing to the corrup-
/ ton and bad faith OF "constitutiona-
ism than II was at any time under tho
dcspicable Red sultan Tne game Of
Ks and faces has been played to
the limit the face has perforce been
finally fully ana squarely exposed. and
the only question that remains is how
In tine settlement with Italy. turkey
can save her face
So much is virtually admitted in tho
ministerial coupling Of willingness to
peace WITH tho reservation that noso-
un,lons must be conducted in man
ner compatible with Turkeys dignity
sui honor vlhai is problem requir-
ine the most delicate and astutc hand
ling lest the result AFFORD the old Turk
ratty AN opportunity to dlsaffect the
amv towards constltuflonalism In any
form. thereby aocentuaung the danger
iof revolution. ana fanaucal religious
end racial outbreaks. ana of rlpening
Invitation to the great powers and
Turkeys small Balkan neighhors to
come ia and divide tho spons Verify
does it develop that Turkey has fallen
upon hard lines. ana that the path boz
Gore her now ministry s pcrilous one.
'Iow VIII he tread 1t SO as to avoid
tho risk Of procipitatns the ottoman
mower IN Europe to tho doom Of amt.
hhauon. when all is said and done. is
the ISSUE with which sho is confront
ga am issue frausnt with momcntous
possibilities to tho whole of Southeast
europe.