New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-10-31
Petrograd Correspondent
Says Russia FOreSaW
Present Move.
DENIES LIKELIHOOD
OF RELIGIOUS WAR
Kaiser's Government, Long In
terested in Porte's Plans,
May Have ReckOned Badly.
fnv Gable 10 The Tribune I

London, Oct. 31.-The Petrograd cor
respondent of "The Morning POST
telegraphs:
Turkey. under German orders, has
begun war upon Russia The empire
remains quite calm under the news
that these German-Turkish acts OF
war were committed without declara-
ton of war. The possibility, gradually
strengthening into probability, Of such
action, in the name and on the respon-
siblity Of Turkey, had long been fore
seen, and Russia has taken her meas
ures accordingly.
$50 far as the Black Sea is con-
cerned, the Russian Admiralty is quite
confident Of the results of the col
ision, and Russia is generally dis
posed rather to welcome an attack
by Turkey, since il will enable her TO
settle the long standing Eastern ques-
ton once and for all under circum-
stances entirely favorable, thenks TO
her alliance with France and Great
Britain.
"The Turkish naval activity is not
expected to prove more than a short
lived annoyance. On the other hand,
the Turkish. soldiers are known 10 be
duU lIdDie UhltTldi II wen OllNcith'
They are now entirely under the COM
mand Of German officers in the highest
ranks, but the fighting officers are, as
was shown in the Balkan wars, of
lower quality than Turkey has known
for centuries, inasmuch as the Young
Turk politicians after their successful
coup d'etat had seized upon all posts
possible in the army az the booty Of
ha, 81.
"Under German direction the Turks
three years ago made their arrange
meuts for invading Russia, when the
time came, by way of the Persian
frontier, and for that purpose seized
an admirable place for the concentra-
ton of their armies west of Lake
Urumia, on Persian territory. They
were elected during the Balkan de-
feats, but have again been taking steps
toward the occupation of this region,
using subservient Kurds, or Turks in
disguise as Kurds, to Herald their ad-
vance.
"Of course, Germany's main hope in
forcing her actual vassal, Turkey, into
the world-war is to create unrest
among the Mussulman millions. II
Khalifa were attacked, instead OF at
lacking, II Is possible something OF l0lS
hope might be realized, but | am told
that under the actual circumstances
this German calculation, like so many
others. will utterly fail A treacherous
attack by night on commercial harbors
without declaration of war can hardly,
even by the skilled counterfeiters Of
Germany's stateaid news factories,
be turned into anything that will now
adayS impose upon the most ignorant
and credulous.
with regard to the attitude of the
Balkan States in this new crisis.
Rumania will undoubtedly take the
field against Turkey Bulgaria will
probably follow her national policy,
whatever her rulers may personally de
sire, and after the national upheaval
will join her Slay brethren against the
Germanic losing combination. Greece,
Of course, goes with the Allies
Altogether, the German action in
Turkeys name may be welcomed as
afording opportunity for the satisfac-
tory settlement Of a question which has
embroiled the leading nations of Eu-
rope for many centuries past. Chris
tendon is again called upon for an
other crusade, not against Moslem, but
against barbarism fostered by Moslem
rule and encouraged by Germany"