New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-10-31
u. S. READY TO AID
AMERICANS IN EAST
Cruisers North Carolina
and Tennessee Will Be
Used if Necessary.


tack on Russia, reports of which were
confirmed in official dispatches to the
American government was viewed by
officials and diplomats generally mere
to-day as likely to produce the grayest
complications throughout the Bal
kan States. Northern Africa and Asia
Minor.
When seen to-day the Turkish Am
bassador denied having received any
news TO the effect that state of war
existed between his country and
Russia.
The announcement Of a state of war
between Russia and Turkey was eX-
pected eventually to bring into the
list of belligerents Greece and Italy,
followed by Rumo"ia and Bulgaria.
American Property Destroyed.
Ambassador Morganthau. at COnstan-
tnople, in "A brief cable dispatch late
to-day made no mention Of declara-
tion Of war by Turkey on Russia, but
said the British Ambassador had in
formed him Of the bombardment OF
Odessa by three Turkish torpedo de-
stroyers and the sinking of Rus
sian gunboat. Previously Charge DAT
fairies Wilson, at the American En-
baSsy at Petrograd, relayed a messIgc
from the American Consul at Odessa
stating that in the bombardment OF
the town some American property was
destroyed.
With these dispatches and previous
indications from the Levant, officials
feared the long-expected conhagration
in Turkey was at hand. They prepared
to use the American cruisers Ncrth
Carolina and Tennessee TO assist
American missionaries, II necessary,
and to set in motion measures OF relief
for Americans similar to those begun
when the first nations of Europe were
plunged into war. The State Depart
ment. however, has no fears at present
for the safety OF Americans in Turkey.
The far-reaching effects of Turkeys
bombardment of Russian ports were
everywhere admitted While it was
suggested in some quarters that the
Ottoman government might repudlate
the raid Of the Turkish destroyers and
the former German cruisers Goeben
anG Breslau, attributing the acts to the
initiative Of the German officers and
crew manning them, the belief pre-
vailed that Russia would not passively
accept this view, but would consider
herself in a state Of war with Turkey.
Italy May Join War.
The complications in Albania, whore
Greece has sent troops to occupy Ep-
rus, supposedly mourning the dis
pleasure Of Italy, which country feels
special interest i'm that territory. are
believed 10 alter somewhat the align
ment which would have resulted a
month ago from Turkeys entrance
into the field Of operations. The news
from Athens that Greece entered Al
bania with the consent OF the Triple
Entente was puzzling phase of the
situation for Washington officials.
The feeling has been expressed in
many quarters here for months that
Italy would side with the Triple En-
tente If Turkey declared war on Rus
STA. This view, however, has been based
largely on the supposition that the
Mussulmans in Egypt, rising against
British rule, would incite their brethren
in Tripoli TO attempt to cast off Italian
domination. Italy, to remain neutral,
must eventually reach some under
corning the partition of Albania or the
activities of Greece in that country.
Rumania has indicated in official
communications that she will ally her
self with Italy in whatever course the
latter takes. The Bulgarian govern
ment is understood to be friendly to
Turkey and Austria, though recent re-
ports have spoken Of the wavering at
ttude of the government at Sofia be-
cause Of popular demonstrations in
behalf of the entente.
Position of Greece.
Striking differences Of opinion de-
veloped to-day among the diplomatic
representatives here as to the probable
future course of events in Turkey and
the Balkan countries. In some quarters
it was suggested that Turkey must
have had some assurance from Greece
that the latter would remain neutral
before she would dare to attack Rus
STA. One of the military attaches only
recently in Constantinople held that
Bulgaria would line up against Tur-
key for the reason that. while the gov
eminent OF the former country was
pro-TurkISh, the people were strongly
Russian ~ their symNathieS.
Some of the British officials pointed
out that, even if war actually broke
out between Russia and Turkey. Eng
land would not necessarily be involved.
II was recalled that England did not
declare war upon Austria until il was
established that Austrian troops were
fighting in France. thereby enabling
the latter country to invoke the aid of
its ally because she was being at
tackled. 1t was admitted as possible in
the event of an actual invasion of Rus
STA by Turkish forces that the British
government might have to respond to
Russia's call for help.
Persons familiar with the geographi-
cal conditions Of the country scout the
idea OF the Turkish invasion of Egypt.
The Turkish army could not be trans
ported By W. ,er to Egypt in the face
of the allied fleets, and the hot des-
erts. peopled by hostile Arabs. would
make it almost impossible to march an
army overland.