New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-11-19
Turkeys Role in the Big War


impudence Either explanation would accord
with the methods of Turkish diplomacy But the
Autter which the news causes in this country is
Lot likely to be stirred into any deeper feeling.
If Fnyer Bey and the Young Turks undertake
10 do the work cut out for them by their allies
they will have their hands full without borrow
ing any additional trouble. Germany is carrying
on war on two fronts-against the Russians IN
the east and against the French British and
BelVians in the west. Austria-Hungary is de-
Tending herself against Russia on the north and
is irving TO invade Servia on the south. But
Turkey is expected to go each Of her associates
one better. She is to make three separate often
sive campaigns-one African, against the British
in Fpvpt: one Asian. against the Russians IN the
Caucasus. and one European against the Crimea
and Bessarabia
The Khedive of Egypt has been visitor IN
Constantinople for several months past and 1t is
now reported that he will accompany the Turkish
army which is TO cross the Sinai peninsula and
seize the Suez Canal. In invading Egypt the
completely with those of their Teutonic allies.
Egvpt belongs nominally TO the Turkish Empire.
Its people are largely Mahometan and would
nrobablv submit with more or less resignation
10 q reimposed Turkish rule. in spite of the great
economic disadvantages which would follow such
q transfer of authority. Egypt is a stake which
!. is well worth Turkeys while to fight for, %
long as she has gotten entangled in the big Euro
near war. Moreover, striking at Great Britain
If that quarter fits in nicely with the plans of
Germany. which is eager TO detain as large
portion Of the British forces possible in India,
Egypt and South Africa.
1t is also to Turkeys direct interest to try
to make Roadway against Russia in the Caucasus.
A. the close Of the last Turco-Russian war Rus
STA annexed considerable area Of Turkish ter
ritory on the Caucasus border. The fortress of
Kars was taken over and the boundary was
nmsbed southwest toward Van and Erzerum. 1t
natural for the Young Turks to want to re,
claim that region A campaign there would also
help Germany and Austria-Hungary indirectly
bv compelling Russia to keep three or four army
corps in the Caucasus which could otherwise be
used in Galica and Prussia.
But when Il comes to undertaking an invasion
of the Crimea and the district around Odessa
Turkeys interests conflict with those of her two
allies 1t would be of enormous benefit to Ger
many and Austria Hungary to have Russia's
operations on the eastern war front hampered by
Turkish attack on the north coast Of the Black
Sea. But, to say nothing Of the cost and diff
Guilty of such an enterprise, Turkish ambitions in
Europe lie in quite another direction There is
very little hope of permanent territorial conquests
in Southern Russia. On the other hand, Enver Bey
ard the Young Turks consumed with desire
for revenge on Greece and Serva, and feel that
the best if not the only, chance Of re-establish-
irg the Ottoman Empire in Europe lies in recov-
ering the territory lost in the recent war with
the Balkan States. The Turkish government
would like to use its forces massed in and about
Constantnople TO compel recessions Of territory in
Tarace, Macedonia and Epirus rather than to use
them up in an invasion Of Russia, made solely
for the purpose of relieving the pressure on the
German and Austro-Hungarian forces in the
Galcian- Prussian theatre Of war.
Turkey may be equal to making some kind Of
campaign against Egypt. Her armies have a
clear path to the Egyptian border The only
natural obstacle TO an invasion is the Sinai desert
Winter is also the best season of the year for
military operations in that part of the world
There are several big obstacles to operations
against Russia The Turks have apparently col
1ected an army Of about 10000 men in Armenia
Thew have repealed a Russian advance toward
Erzerum and may perhaps get in force up to the
Russian border and across it. But the hard win
tor in the Caucasus will bar any further progress
Even in good weather successful campaign
there would have to be preceded by the establish
n,ent of Turkish control Of the Black Sea.
The plans made for Turkey by Germany and
Austria-Hungary would seem more reasonable if
the Ottoman Empires real military strength