Evening star., 1915-02-17
TaIaat Bey Says influences of
Home Government Alone
Inspired the Declaration.
PROMPTED BY HOSTILITY
OF ENGLAND AND RUSSIA
Says Enemies of Mohammedan
World Must Realize That "Holy
War Is in Progress

CONSTANTINOPLE,F February l.. via
London. 1852 p.m.-"Turkey declared
war without being urged by Germany
or fmpelled by any other influence save
those of the empire" said Talaat Bey
today in a statement to the Associated
Press. made in reply to questions con-
cerning the political and military situ-
alton in his country.
Talaat Bey today fills the posts of
minister of the interior, minister of
finance and minister of marine in the
Turkish cabinet. Two weeks ago, in
addition to those offices, he was also
minister of war. which gave him the
four most important portfolios in the
administration. He is Young Turk,
and is undoubtedly the most important
man in Turkey at the present time.
His advice is needed everywhere. and
he virtually directs the public affairs
of the Ottoman empire.
Turkey engaged in military opera
tlonS, he continued, only when ac-
tions on the part of Russia and Great
Britain made defensive measures nee
essary and today Turkey has taken all
steps needful to carry the war through.
The holy war is not menacing Chris
tfans but the holy war is fact which
the enemies of the Mohammedan world
should bear in mind. Christians in the
Ottoman empire, who are participating
in the destinies of their country are
not suffering from conditions brought
about by the present state of affairs,
and any statements to the contrary
are a result of British. French and
Russian intrigues. the purpose of which
is to direct against Turkey the pres
sure of neutral countries of lower
standing in the Ottoman world"
Criticises Foreign Newspapers.
To the correspondent of the Asso-
ciated Press Talaat Bey complained of
the attitude of foreign newspapers, in
cluding the American press, which he
said were oblivious alike of the posi-
tion Of Turkey under the pressure of
the entente powers, and the efforts of
the Young Turks to accomplish the re-
forms associated with that party.
On land and sea alike the Russians
and the British provoked hostilities."
he declared. Our action finally was
the result of efforts to bottle up our
fleet by mining the entrance to the
Bosphorus. Turkey is prepared to
carry on the war to the end of the
able to face the enemy on four fronts
simultaneously against forces three or
four times greater than ours and to
mobilize at the same time an army of
is for US as well as for our allies a
matter of the greatest Importance. and
for our allies precious advantage"
This was the answer of the minister
cal and military advantage gained by
Turkey up to the present time.
The interview their turned to the holy
war. Answering question on this
subject, Talaat Bey said the holy war
was a fact in spite of the claims of
hn a6d hot rhriS
tians were the enemies of the Mussul-
man world.
Discusses "Reprisal Policy"
Questioned concerning the oft-men-
toned "reprisal policy" the minister
Turkey decided at the outbreak of
hostilities just what retaliatory meas
ures she would employ in case the
powers of the triple entente acted con-
trary to the regulations set down by
law"
The next statement of the minister
was that no other war ever had been
so enthusiastically received in Turkey.
This was made in reply to a question
the attitude of the Turkish
people toward the conflict.
Russia is our hereditary enemy and
Great Britain is the power which sub
jugated Islam,' the minister said
Nothing demonstrates the enthusi-
tion of volunteer regiments in all cor
ners of our immense empire"
Asked what possible effect would re-
suit from the success of the Ottoman
armies. the minister said:
.'Sorrowful Eyes of ISLAM
"Au the sorrowful eyes of Islam are
today turned toward the Turks. who.
since their appearance upon the his
toric scene. always have been the be-
nevolent champions of the disciples of
Mohammed and all Asiatics generally.
The success of Ottoman arms can have
but one result. namely. the rising of all
subject to the dominion of
Russia, France or Great Britain. Per
sia is a living symbol of what Turkey
would have become if she had not taken
part in this present war. In addition
to similarity of religion and, above all,
in race. we have with Persia absolutely
identical interests, which are created by
the political dangers of having the
same enemies.
The conversation was then turned
to the military resources of Turkey, and
in this connection the minister said:
"Our military strength is greater than
is believed. Despite our cost
" and murderous wars in Tripoli and
the balkans, and the drain of continu-
ous instructions, Turkey is stronger
TODAY than ever. We have already
more than 1000, 900 men on our various
fronts"
His Trust in the Armies.
Asked what truth there was in the
statement that Turkey soon would be
in need of new war supplies. and that
Germany and Austria Hungary were
now leagued in establishing a free
route from Berlin to Constantinople,
Talaat Bey replied: Leave that to the
armies. The voice of guns predomi-
mates today over the voice of statesmen
who permit themselves to be inter-
viewed"
Talaat Bey was willing to discuss,
guardedly. the political and
military situation of Turkeys allies
In this connection he said:
This situation appears to. me excel
lent from every viewpoint: even ad-
mirable. 1 am not competent to judge
of military matters. All l know is that
the Germans are fighting continually
and advantageously on French and
Russian territory in such a mannerI
that their enemies do not dare go from
the defensive to the offensive. Publict
opinion in Turkey concerning the naval
onerations of the Germans Is simply
e.oo,,,a u,itb establishments the auda