Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-10-30


trance into the field Of warlike opera
tions. tho not unexpected. has caused
sensation in official circles here be-
cause of its probable far-reaching eff
feet. Probably no one factor IN the
great struggle is regarded so uncertain
in quantity and quality as the Turkish
empire. The probability that by yes
terday's act against Russia the Balkan
states may be drawn into the vortex
OF the great conflict. thereby cutting of
vast quantity OF food supplies which
1t had been expected would go to the
maintenance of the northern European
countries of the war, has brought home
to the officials here the realization of
the close and intense interest of the
United States in the latest develop
ments.
Russia to Be Embarrassed.
The result of Turkeys action will be
to greatly embarrass Russia at the out
set.
For months 1t has been known that
the Ottoman government was prepar-
ing for military operations. No dis
patches have been received from Con-
stantinople for several days.
Ever since the outbreak Of the Euro
pean war official dispatches from Am
bassador Morganthau have told of the
slight thread on which the issue Of war
or maintenance of neutrality hung
in Turkey. He has reported the rise
and fall in the strength Of the war par
ty the efforts Of the large commercial
interests In Turkey to preserve Tur-
keys neutrality. and Of the critical CON
versations between the Turkish foreign
office and the diplomatic representa-
ttves OF the beiigerant countries
American Property Destroyed.
Acting Secretary Lansing today an
nounced receipt Of a telegram from the
American charge de affaires at Petro-
grad saying Odessa had been bonn
barded and some American property de.
stroyed.
The dispatch from Charge Wilson
transmitted message from the Amer
lean consul at Odessa, who said he
would send full report later on as ia
the extent Of American property dam
bombardment was done but II is pre-
sumed here 1t was Turkish ships.
Charge Wilson's dispatch was dated
"Petrograd. Oct. 20. Z p. m.." and spoke
OF the bombardmen as having taken
place last night" evidently meaning
Thursday.
May Exact Damages.
Secretary Lansing at once called on
the American embassy at Petrograd to
report the exact nature OF damage to
American property. II the usual twen-
ty-four hours notice Of bombardment
Is not given Americans will have a just
claim to damages to all property which
could have been removed. Damage to
buildings and immovable property 10
not subject to claims. The subject OF
bombardments has been q moot subject
in American international law and Mr..
Lansing declined to comment on the
merits Of the question.
May Involve Al Europe.
Diplomatic representatives In WASH
ington Of the allied powers have be-
lieved from the outset that as soon as
Turkey had been fully prepared she
would cast the die for war. Great Bril-
tain, Russia and France have, thru
their ambassadors, made It plain to
Turkey 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 would probably Join the
allies and the Balkan states would be
drawn into the conflict. with the pros
pect that Italy might be found nGhtins
Turkey as we'll. That that conflict
might extend to Egypt, Persia and
Arabia, With the Japanese as9t. sun-