New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-31
Germany Now Counts on Turkey
to Make the War Circle Wider.


of course, would fight on the side of Germany and
Austria Hungary. Germany has been Turkeys
chief friend and hacker I'm recent years. Berlin
has supported Constantinope automatically. has
sent officers TO Turkey 10 train the Turkish troops
and has invested heavily IN railroads and other
enterprises in Asia Minor
The German and Austro-Hungaran military
parties have long dreamed Of an expansion Of leu
tonic power through Salonica and Constantinope
10 the East. German craftsmanship has talked Of
the "Drang mach Osten" AS means of counter
balancing Russian and British expansion in Asia.
Austria Hungary had her heart set on pushing
down 10 the .Egean Sea- and the annexation
Of Bosnia and Herzegovina long stride tow
ard that goal. Berlin and Vienna sympathized
with Turkey in the war between Turkey and the
states Of the Balkan League. But in DiSraefs
well known phrase. they put their money on the
wrong horse" Turkey was smashed. In the di-
vision Of spells Servia and Greece got the lions
share and through their anne1ations Of territory
securely blocked Austro Hungarian progress tow
ard Salonica.
Servia's unexpected ACKNOWLEDGEMENT was bit
Ter pill for Vienna TO swallow. since Austrian in
tricles had encouraged Bulgaria 10 break with
Greece and Servia over the distribution of the
leagues booty The chagrin excited by Scrvia's
double victory-over the Turks and over the But
carians-was responsible more than any other one
thing for Austria Hunsary's harsh and overoear-
ing ultimatum to Servia. which itself was the i'm
mediate cause Of the great European war.
II was hardly TO be expected that the Balkan
States would keep out Of a conflict originating in
Balkan rivalries and hatreds. Turkeys condition
IS so desperate that her more active leaders like
Enyer Bey are willing TO take chances on another
war II Germany and Austria Hungary should
win. Turkey would he in position TO claim back
part Of her lost European territory. since Berlin
end Vienna would much rather see Salonica and
Monastir in Turkish hands than in the possession
Of Greece and Servia. If Germany and Austria
Hungary should lose, Turkey could not last much
longer as a European power or as a power worth
considering in European politics The nations of
The Triple Entente and those outside it but friend
" 10 it would divide the Turkish Inheritance. But
that is a fate which the Porte has been lodging
for half century and has drawing always
higher and higher.
Turkeys friendly attitude toward Germany is
logical enough. Germany 10 win is the SutanS
best play-the only play which, if it goes through
will keep him out Of bankruptcy. He may be con
WINGED that now IS the time TO make it. and the
recent transfer of the Goeben and the Breslau TO
Turkey ma have been made with the understand
ing that they were a contribution to Turkeys
means Of offence and defence.
The Porte's participation in the would prob
ably take the shape at first of attack on Greece
and Servia. Germany and Austria Hungary would
also try 10 draw Bulgaria in. Bulgaria has grev-
against Greece and Serya and also against
Rumania, and since the last three powers in an
alliance the aid given by Turkey and Bulgaria to
Germany and Austria Hungary would be promptly
counterbaanced by the aid given the allies by
Greece and Rumania. Rumana has not been
weakened by war. Diplomatically. she has become
eStranged from Austria Hungary and she has an
important stake in the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of the
Dual Monarchy since there is considerable Ru-
manian population in Austria Hungary now held
in subsection and fighting TO maintain its language
and 10 enlarge its political rights
Moreover, Turkeys alignment against the allies
would greatly disturb Italy The part for which
Turkey is cast in the Beflin-vienna Constantnople
combination is 10 excite the disaffection of the
Moslem population in the British and French DOS
sessions But holy war" could not be pro
claimed without stirring the population Of Tripod
10 revolt against Italian rule. Italy would there
fore be greatly concerned by any disturbance Of
the status quo in the Eastern Mediterranean, and
her interests conflict absolutely with those Of Tur
kew should Turkey mix in the Italy would
have one more urgent reason for cooperating with
the powers Of the Triple Entente.
The Turkish Empire is on its last legs and most
Turkish statesmen know IT, They NAV be willing
90 take the desperate chance of Dunging into the
L,ronaau conhict an fle thpOry that If tbgy