The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-10-30
BRING ON HOLY WAR?

told of the slight thread on which the
issue hung in Turkey. He has re-
ported the rise and fall in the strength
of the war party, the efforts OF the
large commercial interests of Turkey
already weakened by previous wars. to
preserve Turkeys neutrality and Of
the critical conversations between the
Turkish foreign office and the diplo-
matte representatives Of the belliger-
ent countries.
She Had Been Warned.
Diplomatic representatives In Wash
ing Of the allied powers have believed
from the outset that as soon as Turkey
had fully prepared her army and navy
for the conflict she would cast the die
for war, Great Britain, Russia and
France have, through their ambassa-
doris made it plain to Turkey, 1t Is I'M
derstood, what the consequences Of her
entry might be.
The Anglo-French fleet. which has
been comparatively unoccupied in the
Mediterranean would lombard the
ports of Asia Minor. Greece probably
would Join the allies against Turkey
and the Balkan states would be drawn
into the general imbroglio with the
prospect that Italy might be found
fighting Turkey as well.
That the conflict might extend to
Egypt, Persia or Arabia with the pos
sibility of the Japanese fleet support
ing operations OF the allies has been
discussed here. When reports were
current Of unrest among the Mussul-
mans in India, It was made clear that
Japan would offer her services to
Great Britain, feeling that the spirit
Of the AnglO-Japanese alliance COM
PEELED her to support her ally in
England in eastern Asia. The Greek
navy with it's two American built bat
tleships, formerly the Idaho and Mis-
sissippi, which must be reckoned with.
are superior to the Turkish cruisers in
armor and armament.
The general opinion here is that at
least in the beginning and for some
time thereafter Turkey will be greatly
circumscribed in her activities. One OF
the uncertain elements in the political
side Of the problem is the effect on the
great Moslem population of India. 1t
abilities that Egypt would be drawn in
through her political and religious af-
filiation with Turkey. thus affecting
British suzerainty over Egypt and the
control Of the Suez canal, a very neces-
sary link in the British chain Of COM
munication between England and the
great Indian empire.
From a purely military point Of view
it is believed that Russia would have
little to fear from an attack by the
Turkish army. 1t Is regarded as GER
tain that such action would be imme-
diately followed by declarations OF war
against Turkey by several Of the Bal
kan states. and the experience OF the
Ottoman government in the last con-
flict is held to have demonstrated the
ability of Servia. Greece. Montenegro
and Bulgaria to check a northern move
ment of the Turkish army II not IN
deed to drive 1t across the straits into
Asia Minor.
Navy Is Inferior.
From a naval viewpoint. Turkey can
not work much mischief, in the opinion
Of experts here. Her navy has been
Increased by the addition of two Ger
man armored cruisers, the Breslau and
the Goeben, but the Russian Black sea
fleet is regarded as more than q match
for these two vessels. Because of per-
sistent rumors of a possible anti-Chris-
tian uprising as a result Of general dis
turbances, Ambassador MOrgenthu at
one time advised that an American
warship be present in Turkish waters
for salutary effect and to lend aid to
Americans in case OF an emergency.
The cruisers North Carolina and Ten
nessee which were sent to Europe with
gold for relief purposes. are now and
probably will be maintained in the
eastern Mediterranean. Recently these
rumors subsidized and for the last fort
night the belief prevailed among state
department officials that the situation
Lad passed its danger point.
The policy Of Greece. as previously
announced by Minister Schlieman here,
would cause Greece to enter the war
in case any of the peaceful Balkan
states should take UP arms No Official
dispatches had reached the Greek le-
cation early today. Minfstcr Schlieman
suggested that it was possible the re-
ported action Of the Turkish warships
might have been prompted by a mutiny
of the crew as the case of the Potem-
kim in the Russian revolution
Hussen Bey. the Turkish charge here
dismissed the situation with a curt
statement OF mo news" and a refusal
to be disturbed. The Greek minister
declined to discuss any future action OF
his government until he had received
Official instructions from Athens.
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